Lee; That sounds like the most plausible solution, one that could be installed in a stealth mode and not raise any flags. What we're failing to remember is that even though a fuel filtering method would be the most logical solution, there are none yet certified for the Ercoupe that I know of. If a mechanic puts one on, he risks his certificate. If an annual is signed off, the IA risks his livelihood. As asinine as it seems it is fact and although you may disagree with the process it was put into place for a reason. What needs to be done is to have an STC'd filtering method based on the gravitational weight of the fuel, path of fuel travel when climbing, descending and at level flight, and at all power settings taking into consideration the volume of the mechanical pump, as it naturally must be filtered before the header tank. Putting a filter between the header tank and carb is suicide, so that will need to also be addressed at some point if not at the start.
I must tell you that with the myriad of micronic screens the fuel must pass before getting to the fuel injectors of my big Continental engine, there are still incidences of clogged injectors! Al DeMarzo Visit the Ercoupe Swap Page - Free and Easy http://www.ercoupeowners.com/swap/swapbook.htm ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [email protected] Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2007 6:42 AM Subject: Re: [ercoupe-tech] Tank cleaning Well guys and gals, I can only speak to what I know first hand. 4 planes that I have personal knowledge of have crashed due to fuel starvation that was precipitated by a brown substance that clogged the fuel system. It would appear obvious that whatever we have now wasn't enough, so it seemed plausable to me that a filter that removes contaminates down to the micron (which are in autos that can pull off the road and stop should the engine stop) would be an acceptable solution. The responses to this suggestion all have merit and give me pause to adding any filters and cause me to seek another method of removing contaminates before they cause a problem. I am thinking that a close mesh nylon filter to replace the current coarse metal screen currently on the existing tanks would be abetter solution. A long screen, perhaps 3" long would serve the same purpose and not add any restriction. Bottom line is that I haven't had to land in any corn fields, lakes or trees and don't want to and I only know of one pilot that enjoyed such ventures. Lee -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I have to agree with John. There are plenty of "filters" in the fuel system already. If the tanks are sumped before every single flight like they are supposed to be, and if you don't get any dirt when you sump the tanks, then how could you possibly get enough dirt on any one screen to starve the engine of fuel? If the tanks are sumped and there is consistently dirt, sloshing compound or some other stuff in the drained fuel, then the problem should be investigated and fixed. Adding another fuel filter adds one more fuel system component and two more hose connections, all of which could cause problems of their own. I sump my tanks before every single flight, regardless of how long ago the plane was last flown, or whether or not I refueled the airplane. I occasionally get a little dirt or water out of the wing tanks, and every great once in a while I might get a drop or two of water out of the nose tank, but I virtually never get any water or dirt when I sump the gascolator, and the gascolator screen is perfectly clean and has been that way for over 2 years and 330 flying hours since the plane was restored. Adding a fuel filter isn't going to save someone who refuses to do a proper preflight inspection. On a related subject, the times I do get a significant amount of water out of the tanks is after washing the airplane. My fuel tank caps are vented, and even though I completely tape up the entire fuel cap, I stll get water in the tanks when washing the plane. Usually it takes several iterations of sumping the tanks, shaking the plane, waiting a few minutes and then sumping the tanks again to get all of the water out. It is necessary to shake the plane between sumpings (is that a word?) because water will collect along the ribs in the tanks, and will stay there until the fuel sloshes it out of there. Just my opinion. Wayne DelRossi -----Original Message----- F! rom: Joh n Cooper <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [email protected] Sent: Wed, 24 Oct 2007 9:48 am Subject: RE: [ercoupe-tech] Tank cleaning Lee, et al: There is a screen in the fuel pump and another in the gascolator. In addition, the carburetor has its own screen, and there are finger screens in the outlet fittings for all three tanks. Adding another filter will only move the blockage to another point in the system. John Cooper, A&P Skyport Services PO Box 249 4996 Delaware Tnpk Rensselaerville, NY 12147 518 797-3064 Fax 518 797-3865 www.skyportservices.net ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2007 6:25 AM To: [email protected] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [ercoupe-tech] Tank cleaning Group, I am unfortunately aware of 4 Ervoupe crashes that have been caused by fuel starvation. The starvation was the results of a brown material either causing the fuel pump to not provide fuel to the fuselage tank or blocking fuel flow to the carburetor. It has been determined the brown material was the originally installed material know as sloshing compound. It is a mystery to me that with all the precautions taken by FAA, why was a fuel filter not installed on the suction side of the fuel pump and between the fuselage tank and carburetor. Unfortunately, I do not have a flying Ercoupe right now, but when and if I get another one, I will install filters in both locations and hopefully get approval with a 337. Lee Browning -- "John W. Martin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: A good question. Here it is 60 plus years and still no filters. I suppose they could be added with a 337? John "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" wrote: > John, > > I have never understood why there is no fuel filter between the > fuselage tank and carburetor and on the suction side of the fuel > pump. That would have saved several lives and prevented more crashes. > > Lee > _____________________________________________________________ Click for free info on online degrees and make up to $150K/ year. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! _____________________________________________________________ Click here to save cash and find low rates on auto loans.
