To filter or not to filter that’s is the question?
#26
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (6)
Skunkwurk,
Thats what I’m using in my Hawk. Love the Intairco filters. Just with the A10 it’s not really possible to see them especially since ATJ has them between the airtrap and pump. I would need a HOLE lot of extra fuel line to have them accessible, which is something I don’t like having.
Thats what I’m using in my Hawk. Love the Intairco filters. Just with the A10 it’s not really possible to see them especially since ATJ has them between the airtrap and pump. I would need a HOLE lot of extra fuel line to have them accessible, which is something I don’t like having.
#28
My Feedback: (7)
I use filters after the pump, always have and I suppose always will, on my last install the filter is very accessible and easy to service, I check it around every six months or so, the debris that I've seen has been minimal, I filter the heck out of my gas before it reaches the engine, also installed it in a vertical position to prevent any air bubbles from getting trap in there, never seen algae in my gas can or in any of my jet's fuel systems.
I must be doing something right that is keeping me from experiencing fuel filter related problems, I think regular service of the components is the key here.
Just offering my experiences to the OP.
Last edited by CARS II; 11-18-2018 at 10:46 AM.
#31
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Curitiba, Parana, BRAZIL
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I always use a filter.. I install it per instructions, in the positive pressure section of the fuel system, vertically mounted and in a accessible place so I can check and clean it once a year. Easy as that.
No matter how much you filter your fuel, slime develops everywhere... pretty much like fake news and flat earth theories.. You better use a good filter! LOL
No matter how much you filter your fuel, slime develops everywhere... pretty much like fake news and flat earth theories.. You better use a good filter! LOL
#33
My Feedback: (2)
I don't use filters in the jets either. I filter my fuel (diesel) from pump to can using Mr. Funnel (traps water as well.) I have a filter on the pickup of the fuel can before the pump and one after the pump. I have a UAT in all my jets but no other filter. I use algaecide in my fuel and never had "slime" (algae).
#34
My Feedback: (81)
grey matter
One of the last processes Jet fuel goes through (before going to sales tanks for delivery to the customer) is a clay filtering process. This is basically to help with the purity of the product. Better purity, better price. Simple.
BUT... every now and then these filters fail and contaminate the final product. We say contaminate because basically it drops the purity significantly and causes us to sell it at a much lower rate. It does show up in good filters as a slight grey dust/matter. (micron type of filter of course!)
#35
Just food for thought, being an aviation mechanic once upon a time, I have replaced fuel filters and no matter how much you filter prior too putting it into the system stuff always manages to make its way to the engine fuel filters. Anything mechanical like a pump prior to the engine has the potential send trash down stream. On a second not I have experience the dreaded slime problem which clogged a filter, if I would have had the filter it could have very easily clogged the turbine up costing a great deal of money and time to fix. At the time I didnt know it but well before the filter clogged and caused issues it was talking to me, I had sluggish throttle response a few times prior that raised concern. I do think its totally up to you and I am a firm believer in what ever works for you, but these things come with the turbine so its not like your paying extra for it. Plus I would rather have and never need it than the one time it could have helped not. Cheers thats my opinion and I will tap out. I hope everyone has a great build season and happy holidays!!!!
#36
Ignore that ATJ recommendation and install the filters between the pump and the turbines if you choose to install them at all. ATJ is trying to save trash from getting into the pump, but as discussed most of us filter the heck out of the fuel before it goes in and then the UAT serves as a great filter ahead of the pump as well. Could make for an easier install also. That’s if you choose to run a filter. I do, along with everyone I fly with, but I unsderstand lots of people have had both success and failure with either method so to each their own.
#37
I always mount it vertically and never have any bubbles caught in there. With a little thought during the install you can make most things accessible. Guys spend too much time trying to hide components instead of making them serviceable.
#38
My Feedback: (18)
Some filters are more specific regarding orientation than others. For example, the JetCat (aluminum) filter is advised to be mounted vertically to avoid air being trapped. The Intairco is more flexible, per the manufacturer it can be mounted horizontally or vertically. We just need to follow instructions... instead of tribal knowledge.
Also, as someone pointed out, it is true that some turbine manufacturers advise to filter before the pump, as debris can definitely harm the pump. But it seems we pretty much have consensus that we all typically filter our fuel before it enters the jet's fuel system. All good stuff, what ever makes you happy and feel better about your setup too.
Also, as someone pointed out, it is true that some turbine manufacturers advise to filter before the pump, as debris can definitely harm the pump. But it seems we pretty much have consensus that we all typically filter our fuel before it enters the jet's fuel system. All good stuff, what ever makes you happy and feel better about your setup too.
#39
My Feedback: (10)
Unless I had personally cut apart, cleaned and reassembled the fuel tank in ANY ARF I would never run without an onboard filter (I would likely cut the tanks open in any case). I have seen too much junk in the tanks, and junk that flakes off over tine
Clogging the turbine is a problem but in my experience, crap clogging the shut off valve can end up blowing the motor up (to say nothing of the potential hot starts). I run the filter between the pump and shutoff valve for this reason.
Clogging the turbine is a problem but in my experience, crap clogging the shut off valve can end up blowing the motor up (to say nothing of the potential hot starts). I run the filter between the pump and shutoff valve for this reason.
#40
My Feedback: (2)
I don't run a separate on-board filter, but like everyone else I filter at least twice when pumping from my fuel caddy.
I have been relying on the Air Trap filer as the on-board filter.
I have been using MAP Air Traps with the internal pleated paper filter and I have seen them start to plug-up, resulting in increased pump voltages and even multiple flame-outs. Back-flushing has helped temporarily, but I have gone through at least 3 MAP Air Traps over the last few years in probably 200 flights on 2 models. I add Biobor to every batch of kerosene I buy to kill off any algae.
After the last Air Trap replacement I emptied out my fuel caddy and found a bunch of sludge in the bottom, probably a 5 year accumulation from the pump kerosene I run. This was probably the major source of the gunk clogging the Air Trap as the caddy clunk filter was sitting right in the sludge. Don't forget to change out the caddy filters on a regular basis. An annual fuel caddy cleaning is a good idea too.
An additional filter downstream of the pump would not have helped.
Paul
I have been relying on the Air Trap filer as the on-board filter.
I have been using MAP Air Traps with the internal pleated paper filter and I have seen them start to plug-up, resulting in increased pump voltages and even multiple flame-outs. Back-flushing has helped temporarily, but I have gone through at least 3 MAP Air Traps over the last few years in probably 200 flights on 2 models. I add Biobor to every batch of kerosene I buy to kill off any algae.
After the last Air Trap replacement I emptied out my fuel caddy and found a bunch of sludge in the bottom, probably a 5 year accumulation from the pump kerosene I run. This was probably the major source of the gunk clogging the Air Trap as the caddy clunk filter was sitting right in the sludge. Don't forget to change out the caddy filters on a regular basis. An annual fuel caddy cleaning is a good idea too.
An additional filter downstream of the pump would not have helped.
Paul
#41
My Feedback: (54)
I don't run a separate on-board filter, but like everyone else I filter at least twice when pumping from my fuel caddy.
I have been relying on the Air Trap filer as the on-board filter.
I add Biobor to every batch of kerosene I buy to kill off any algae.
An additional filter downstream of the pump would not have helped.
Paul
I have been relying on the Air Trap filer as the on-board filter.
I add Biobor to every batch of kerosene I buy to kill off any algae.
An additional filter downstream of the pump would not have helped.
Paul
Last edited by RCFlyerDan; 11-19-2018 at 05:04 AM.
#42
This is why I use, as some have said, that toxic JetA or A1, rather then that "expensive greenhouse Kerosene"; is that Biobor and usually anti static are already added. The hundred gallons or so that I burn per year is nothing to one start on an airliner engine for the greenhouse issues.
#45
Posted by Dave Wilshere [img]images/buttons/viewpost.gif[/img]
, I wouldn't put JetA1 through one of my own turbines, I chose to buy expensive green house Kerosene. .
, I wouldn't put JetA1 through one of my own turbines, I chose to buy expensive green house Kerosene. .
Just kidding you know, whatever
#46
it’s your standard kerosene that is used in heaters inside greenhouses. Nothing special. Same as what we use in our turbines. Just make sure you filter it as I have seen the odd tiny bubble of water floating in it. Using a Mr Funnel is probably one of the best. You can also use a dry chamois which also does a good job of filtering moisture/ water.
Last edited by stegl; 11-19-2018 at 03:41 PM.
#47
My Feedback: (46)
I don't use filters in the jets either. I filter my fuel (diesel) from pump to can using Mr. Funnel (traps water as well.) I have a filter on the pickup of the fuel can before the pump and one after the pump. I have a UAT in all my jets but no other filter. I use algaecide in my fuel and never had "slime" (algae).
Why aren’t more more people using it if it seems to be such a big problem?
#49
My Feedback: (2)