I ripped my complete fuel system out of my Facet to add better filtering to the system. (Had some problems with blocked filters)
This was a good opportunity to check the second filter under the front cover of my Simjet. Although not completely blocked, I also found the same stuff as appeared in the first filter, mounted before the fuel pump. Because of the red color of the (2nd) filtering screen, the contamination is better visible. I don't know what the algae in Kero looks like but I understand it's dark green, this stuff is grey in color. Is this just "normal" dirt or algae?

Thanks in advance guys,
Gert.

ever thought about filtering your fuel BEFORE you put it in your jet?



Larry

BTW..........never saw any red algae

Yes I did think of that but I have to do it better....
As I explained in the first post, the filter screen is red, the dirt is grey, So the red areas you see on the filter are clean .....

You should really filter your fuel a little better. I have a Jersey Modeler fuel can which has a filtered weighted pick-up and another filter on the output side of the pump. In the plane I use a BVM UAT which offers some filtering ability (But don't rely on it as a filter) and finally, I have one more filter just past the fuel pump on the output side to the turbine.

I have never noticed any contamination in the filters that I have inspected. I use Jet-A from the local airport. Algae will look like a black mass. If I were you I would use another filter between the pump and the turbine. This filter's sole responsibilty is to collect particles that are the result of pump wear. In my opinion, the last filter that is in your turbine is there as a last resort catch all filter. Also, always add a filter to the output side of ANY pump (fuel can or otherwise) as pumps do wear, shedding minute particles.

Where do you get your Kero??? Is it from a filling station or from a sealed can??? All of that grit is hell on your turbine fuel pump!!!

Kevin

Kevin

Thanks Kevin
I learned my lesson, the amount - and position- of filters as you described is what I am adding 'as we speak'.

I get my Jet A-1 also from the local airport, from the tank trucks they use for aircraft refueling. To be honest I think I messed up after that when mixing, or pouring it over from one can to another. (I don't do that anymore, this was some left-over from when I ran it on a test stand)

Anyway, apparently it's not algae, back to cleaning and adding filters......

Just cause you are getting Jat A from an airport is no reason to suspect it is super clean! I get mine from Slidell airport here in Lousyana. You would simply NOT BELIEVE the crap I find left in a five gallon drum. I expect someday to find the airport guy's lost tennis shoe! Filter, filter, filter!

I use parafin in the UK, it smells much better than Jet A1 but gives the same result.
However i agree, you can never filter enough.

Look's like algae to me, algae can look gray too.

That's why I get it from the gas station, it is much cleaner.

Terry, I have never pursued this. In fact, I'm not even sure if it is available around here at gas stations. Is it everywhere in the USA? What is it called? Just plain kerosene for heaters? Is there any drawbacks to it over Jet A? Is it about the same price? I will definitely try it if I can find it. Heck, it could hardly be any dirtier!!!

Yep, Plain ol' Kerosene, at the local Speedway.$1.80 to 2 bucks a gal. [8D]

I get the Turbine oil at the Airport tho.

5 gal of fuel cost me less than $18.00 last time.

Works as well as Jet-A, better, even. Less dirt and doesn't smell as bad.

Woketman,

If you get your Kero at a filling station be sure it is K-1!!!! Some will try to slip K-2 in on ya... I use Jet-A because of all of the additives in it. I thought that it has chemicals that help to keep the injectors clean as well as anti corrosion additives. Plain ole' kero doesn't. My buddy has been running Jet-A since he has been flying JetCat turbines (He has the ninth P-80 in the country) and has NEVER had any of the tiny injector nozzles clog on him. I've heard of guys that run Kero that have had injector clogging problems...Any coincidence???? What do you think???

Kevin

I run Kero from my local gas station pump, have since day one. Never a problem with my engines, heck... I must have over a 1000 runs between my three jetcats on this stuff easy. I do filter it twice coming out of the can (actually three times since my pickup is a filter too)in addition to the usual filters in the plane (which I never find dirty). I prefer it over Jet-A since it does not stink near as bad plus it has red dye in it which makes it easier to see in the tanks for a visual "How much is Left?"

Todd

Todd,

Good things to know!! I can get dye free, untaxed K-1 for $1.50-$1.80/gallon...I've just been hesitant to use it due to what I've heard.....Glad to know my concerns are unfounded!!! It's a PITA to go to the airport to get Jet-A----They also rip your wallet a new one with the price of turbine oil...About $14/quart!!! I'm down to my last quart of AeroShell 500 so I guess I'll send oilstore.com another Email for a case.

Kevin

would it be a NIke leftfoot size 11 ???

Latest update.... .
At the end of December I got this fuel from the airport, I also bought two new steel cans, or drums, each 20 Litre (about 5 gallon each) I always ask for the A-1 from the in-ground tank or truck, otherwise they give you 'plain kerosene' which is -according to them- "leftovers out of the trucks, it has sometimes water in it, or dirt, and gets sold for gas heaters." <take note>.
Anyway, I did not see see where he got the cans from but after close inspection of the can 'internals' I think I know what happened,
one is crystal clear and clean, the other one is full with crap, bottom is covered with dirt. I think one <empty> can was stored without a cap or something. I won't use it and not even try to filter it, as the fuel looks cloudy as well

I don't think there are tennis shoes in there, but part of the gravel tennis court for sure