When I started in this hobby a nice person gave me a filter. I still have that filter from years ago and have never taken it apart to have it cleaned. It has been backflushed as regualr maintance to be cleaned.

When I see a beginner, and if they do not have a fuel filter, I will give them one of mine. Fuel can be filtered when the tank is filled but contaminates will get in. The exhaust system pressure also puts contaminates into the fuel tank, combustion by products ect, and if unfiltered return full circle to the needle valve, usually to cause problems.

[link=http://www.pspec.com/fuelfilter.asp]http://www.pspec.com/fuelfilter.asp[/link] has a very small filter that goes inline to make sure that your engine gets clean fuel. These are marketed towards pylon racers to protect their very expensive engines. Also very good advice here about filters.

Richard