Felt Clunk in Tank, Screen (Sullivan) filter on the Vent and an Open Header Tank, but after 20 odd years I'm still evaluating

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.

With you on that one Phil. Mine is slightly different, but basically the same thinking.

Cheers,

JanR

Thank you Chris! This is the BEST reason ever for not running one, and this is from the advice of a Chief Turbine Mechanic for a Turbine Flight Dept. He has seen the issues.

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

I am not alone! Yay!!

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).

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!!!!

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.

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.

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

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.

Naahhh, must be the building in the backyard where he keeps his rc toyzz

Just saying

At the moment I'm not and haven't use any algecide, simply because I haven't had that problem, now when I move to the Dallas area where there is more moisture in the air I may have to use that, don't know yet.

I use Biobor JF.

https://www.amazon.com/Biobor-JF-Die.../dp/B06XYTR8JW

I'm fairly confident the JetA I buy at the airport doesn't have algaecide in it already, because when I don't add biobor I get algae everytime.