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fuel filter
do I need a fuel filter if so does it go behind or in front of the firewall (pt-40 .46NT)
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RE: fuel filter
Some people swear by them, but personally, I have one on my fuel pump and I don't bother putting one on the plane
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RE: fuel filter
I'm with Minn on this one. I have a filter my fuel coming out of the jug so I don't worry about it on my plane.
Ken |
RE: fuel filter
Here I disagree with the two wise ( and I'm NOT being facitious ) sages above which I respect in their RC knowledge.
I place fuel filters in line between the fuel tank and the engine intake nipple. The filters are positioned so that even if I'm using a fuel valve, fuel coming from the tank is ALWAYS filted, while fuel used to fill the tank may not be. I also use a filter when filling the tank and also when fueling. Clean Fuel is Happy Fuel. No matter how good you are at in keeping your fuel tank & lines clean and your filler tank and containers, sooner or later something will get by on it's way to the carb. Having the filter between the tank and the carb provides a bit more safety and is cheap insurance, as long as you are careful. Even pressure lines can introduce particulates into the fuel tank, which can get by a filterless clunk. |
RE: fuel filter
I was thinking that gunk from the muffler will get into the tank so inline filter behind or in front of the firewall?
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RE: fuel filter
I'm new to this and only filtered out of the jug, until I had to pull my tank to fix a leak in a fuel line. I was amazed at how black the tank was inside. I'm guessing pressure from the muffler, I'm sure it is just exhaust residue that should not hurt anything but since then I now run an inline filter for piece of mind. I do find particles in the filter the odd time so it does work. Looks like carpet fluff, how that gets in there I do not know. lol
Mine is just before the carb. |
RE: fuel filter
I probably over do it but I install a filter in my tank. This is to catch anything the filter on my pump doesn't catch.
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RE: fuel filter
Behind or in front of the firewall doesn't really matter, but you want to make sure you're not filling through the filter when you're filling your tank. The filter makes a nice disconnection point if you have an open cowl, so you can unplug the filter and fuel fill through the line. My filters usually end up on the engine side of the firewall for this very reason.
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RE: fuel filter
ORIGINAL: wzak29 I was thinking that gunk from the muffler will get into the tank so inline filter behind or in front of the firewall? But you want to keep the lines as short as possible. That in turn means the filter can and should replace a length of tubing, which then changes the answer to "in front of the firewall". So if you have a "T" filling connector, put the filter between the carb and the "T". That way anything coming from the fuel tank gets filtered on it's way to the carb. Putting filters between the T and the tank doesn't work on a 2 line setup, as you will be containing the particulates coming from new fuel within the filter itself and these get flushed back into the carb. On a three line setup this works better, but you may still get particulates coming from fittings, etc. So I opt for as close to the carb as possible. |
RE: fuel filter
gaRCfield parallels my thinking. I always use a filter between the firewall and carb. Usually no problems. But, I recently had two deadsticks right in a row. Shame on me for not checking my filter after the first dead stick. An aging fuel syringe (that I had to use because my electric pump stopped working) with a deteriorated rubber seal had clogged my filter and shut my engine off. Kind of scary when I was just getting comfortable bringing an inverted model closer to the ground. WHEN IN DOUBT, ROLL OUT! I had just read that saying that very morning. Saved me twice. Once I cleaned the filter, I was good to go and didn't have anymore problems. So I guess what I learned and can pass on is that a filter will help, but can get clogged as well. It's easier to clean most filters than trying to back flush crud out of a carb. For me the benefit of having an onboard filter out ways the liability. I always fly with one, and was shocked when I did have the deadsticks.
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RE: fuel filter
ORIGINAL: Tom Nied gaRCfield parallels my thinking. I always use a filter between the firewall and carb. Usually no problems. But, I recently had two deadsticks right in a row. Shame on me for not checking my filter after the first dead stick. An aging fuel syringe (that I had to use because my electric pump stopped working) with a deteriorated rubber seal had clogged my filter and shut my engine off. Kind of scary when I was just getting comfortable bringing an inverted model closer to the ground. WHEN IN DOUBT, ROLL OUT! I had just read that saying that very morning. Saved me twice. Once I cleaned the filter, I was good to go and didn't have anymore problems. So I guess what I learned and can pass on is that a filter will help, but can get clogged as well. It's easier to clean most filters than trying to back flush crud out of a carb. For me the benefit of having an onboard filter out ways the liability. I always fly with one, and was shocked when I did have the deadsticks. |
RE: fuel filter
I had a clunk filter I actually traded for a normal clunk, who wants to remove the entire tank just to change a screen in a clunk !!!!
I only filter the fuel coming out of the can myself, I figure if the muffler is throwing anything that would clog my fuel system I probably should not be flying with that engine in the first place. |
RE: fuel filter
Yeah likewise.
It's amazing how much junk collects even if you've filtered your fuel. For those who doubt, put a crap-trap filter on your fuel line and watch the debris accumulate even from pre-filtered fuels. Stuff ALWAYS gets in. |
RE: fuel filter
ORIGINAL: Phoenixangel I bought a few clunks that were also filters I really like this option myself. I've seen people put in clunk filters and then fill the tank via the fuel line... really! |
RE: fuel filter
ORIGINAL: MinnFlyer Some people swear by them, but personally, I have one on my fuel pump and I don't bother putting one on the plane to some extent i agree with them, your engine "eats" much more junk from the air than it does from your fuel i bought a filter when i started up because i drive model boats and i often see junk floating in the tank because i pour the fuel in w/ a funnel which collects a lot of dirt and such. in a plane though its just another thing to fail, i had mine come off during the second flight of my gp rapture resulting in a deadstick into loosely packed ( thankfully not frozen) dirt and someone else ^^^ also said it caused deadsticks, which could cause more trouble than its worth. the way i look at it is that engine will more likely have a fatal crash before it wears out. in the end do what ever floats your boat |
RE: fuel filter
quote: ORIGINAL: Phoenixangel I bought a few clunks that were also filters I really like this option myself. You have to make sure that if you are running two lines with a clunk filter, you fill the tank via the pressure line... I've seen people put in clunk filters and then fill the tank via the fuel line... really! It could not have been as my post for more then a minute lol I am still learning this forum/computer/typing thing its like I have permanent dumb thumbs So far my puter skills / posts are a disaster but I will figure it out |
RE: fuel filter
I filter my fuel in two places, one on the pickup line in the fuel container and again on the other end of the pump as it goes into the tank. Once I am done fueling there is no filter on my plane. I did have one on, but it caused me no end of problems. It was on a PT-40 and I had it on the engine side of the firewall, I would suggest you put yours there. I would filter on the pump not on the plane, my personal preference.
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RE: fuel filter
Never ever used them least ways as far back as I can remember.
John |
RE: fuel filter
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RE: fuel filter
I've never used on on the plane but always on my fuel pump and I've never had a problem. I've even pulled a couple tanks out of curiosity and found nothing in there.
One thing to do is look inside your new tank for pieces of plastic from the molding process, bits of paper from the packaging, aluminum or brass flakes form the tubing, or whatever. Flushing them out before assembly with clean fuel or alcohol probably isn't a bad idea either. |
RE: fuel filter
I have three planes. Two of them have/are pumped and I've been told it's vital to have a filter before a pump. The third has a fuel filter housing but no screen (lost it while cleaning); I just use that for a disconnect for refueling.
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RE: fuel filter
Well if you live by the saying - Rather safe than sorry - I guess a extra filter on the plane can't hurt. It probably is much safer too be quite honest...or actually more of a peace of mind story.
I only use a filter when pumping the fuel into the tank from my jug and then have one inside my tank. Too me if dirt comes through two filters then nothing is really going too stop it (once again you do get that odd time probably). It's up too you, but as was said - it's a cheap insurance but not 100%. |
RE: fuel filter
I've taken them off lots of airplanes that are having fuel draw problems. I don't put them on my airplanes. Last one I used was back around 1971. I don't even bother with using them on the fuel can either.
But I never pump fuel from the airplane back into the fuel can either. It's a one way trip out of the can. |
RE: fuel filter
Been at this 22 years, 21 years ago I threw away all fuel line filters, on both the planes and the fuel can. 60 airpalnes and nearly as many engines later I have never had a problem with dirty fuel. It may depend on how fast you use up the fuel, and I always keep fuel stored in a dark, dry, cool place and keep the jug sealed except when filling. I do empty airplane tanks back into the jug at the end of the day, still no problems. If I lived in a dusty area I may reconsider. By the way some of my engines have been around nearly 20 years and still start and run with no problems. Filters may be needed to compensate for other bad habits.
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RE: fuel filter
I have one on all my surface vehicles cause they get run in dirt, but nothing on my planes. My pickup in the fuel can is filtered though.
What about all the black gunk from breaking in an engine getting back to the tank from the muffler? I know its minimal, but it is there. |
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