if the header tank is the low point of fuel on a tail dragger, what is the point of a gascolator, other than it has a filter screen.
SS/O-200 ken
if the header tank is the low point of fuel on a tail dragger, what is the point of a gascolator, other than it has a filter screen.
SS/O-200 ken
When in level flight it may now become the lowest point?
my 2 cents anyways?
Gary
Kitfox 4 1200
Eastern Ontario
Canada
Aren't we concerned about lowest point at preflight to check for water.
Is the gascolator necessary for additional fuel hold closer to the engine?
I utilize mine as the filtering element in the fuel system.
I do not believe in filters on gravity flow alone (between the wing and header tanks).
Av8r3400, are you saying you don't want any additional restriction from the tank to the header?
Well, I've gotten enough water out of my gascolator to say that it has a necessary function.
Pete
Leander, TX
Model III SN 1000
912
Grove
My first Model IV had a gascolator - first flight 1998. When this exact question was asked then I was a strong gascolator proponent. The discussion led me to eventually omit the gascolator on my current Model IV. I agree with the paper filter issue, but the solution is simply to select a filter with a different element. I use the clear glass filters mounted between the wing tank and header tank. They are positioned above the quarter window so I can see fuel while in flight. My theory is this. The finger strainers will remove large particles then the glass filters will remove the rest. I will have an essentially "sterile" system from those filters to the carburetors. A whila ago, I did some work on the header tank that broke the "sterile"system chain so I put a filter in the engine compartment for several hours before going back to the designed system.
I think Lowell is right. I have a 'T' that feeds into one glass filter right above and in back of the right seat. Very easy to view. It then flows to the header, to the gascolator low on engine side of the firewall. I did a 25deg. nose up attitude fuel flow test. I got 4 times the minimum required flow to the fuel pump entrance.
This is all good information.