Fuel Filter for Trikes
Today I have a question about fuel filters. Can anyone tell me what kind of a fuel filter do you use for your 912 trikes.
My 912 came with a glass filter and I believe my first Airborne trike (582 Bluehead) also had a similar to the picture below,
My filter looked in pretty poor condition and very dirty so I order a new one from Aircraft Spruce, I wasn't entirely thrilled with it's quality. The one on Aircraft Spruce comes with different size plastic fittings.
I read up a little bit on this particular fuel filter (above) and it seems that the mesh is much finer then what Rotax recommends and in some cases this filter was responsible for clogging the fuels flow causing engine outs. One guy had picture of his completly destroyed aircraft, the cause was clogging by this filter that starved the fuel.
Which brings me to this question, what brand fitlers do you use on your trikes, does anyone know if Rotax has a preferred filter? Does anyone know of issues caused be the fuel filters.
Regards,
Rizzy
Comments
this filter caused three engine outs for me on my 912 right out of the box. you better check the tiny little hole at each end inside the screen on the tube if they aren't lined up you don't get enough fuel flow at wide open throttle so you will get fuel starvation, when you take the filter apart to clean and reassemble it you have to make sure the holes line up it took the factory three tries to find one that would work so I just got rid of it and now use the plastic paper filters have never had a problem since.
a bit more about this filter we could not figure out at first why the engine was quitting at wide open throttle everyone that checked would look at the filter and say it's not that because the screen was clean and it was full of fuel and finally a mechanic took the filter off and all the gas stayed in it didn't come out so we got a new one and same thing happened then we found out they were faulty from the factory the tiny holes at each end were not lining up on the tube you can see the tiny hole in the picture of Rizzy's if your going to use this type of filter just make sure the holes are lined up and you have plenty of flow for continuous wide open throttle.
Thanks Reb, that is very helpful, can I ask what filter are you using now? And where can one get it.
Regards,
Rizzy
I don't know why you would use these on an aircraft.i have seen them crack and leak on hotrods and trucks and start and engine fire.1 unnoticed crack and it will break maybe in air and your done no fuel.i would trust the plastic ones and throw them away every 25 hrs who wants to clean them anyway
I had a problem with those filters also. Ethanol in the fuel melted the O-rings and I got melted rubber embedded in the screen. Racor is my go-to filter. Never fails
https://www.amazon.com/Racor-FUEL-FILTER-WATER-SEPARATOR/dp/B00C4ZRJ8U/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1482204708&sr=8-11&keywords=racor+fuel+filters
Ken, do you have a shot of where you located your Racor and how you routed your fuel lines? I agree, this is the best system for fuel filters on our trikes. I currently do as Dean Coleman does but I'd like to upgrade to this as it separates some water out and allows a better inspection in the clear reservoir.
Wile, I uploaded 2 photos showing what I did on mine.
http://images.oreillyauto.com/parts/img/large/pri/702323.jpghere is a link and picture of filter
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/PRI0/702323/N0790.oap?ck=Search_N0790_-1_-1&pt=N0790&ppt=C0218
Thanks all. Very interesting.
I'm wondering though... isn't there a middle of the road option, one that's stronger than paper but not as heavy and large as the Racor fuel filter? What does Rotax recommend?
Also, Henry, did you consider bypassing the electric facet fuel pump with a separate line? It looks like you kept one line only.
Here is a shot of my install
http://alltrikes.com/elgg/photos/image/43037/parachute-riser-routing
Can't see it Ken.
I want to see in what condition my filter is. Then I use a papier filter like Rebel showed in links. I want to see into, I want to see a fuel level into filter, a state of contamination. It costs nothing then i change it twice a year.
Ken you've got some really good reference photos posted on here but for some reason, we newbies can't see them. Any help from the moderator?
Sorry guys they are in the air creation owners group. Join the group to see them.
I think I see the problem Ken! I can't even join that group. If you search groups it's not in there when I look. That's where the linkage is broken. There is a Air Creation group but it's named differently. Can you fix it? I really would like to use your shots as a resource.
Fixed it Wile E = it was a closed group owned by an old user. I have made it open ... come on in.
I think you're getting closer Ken but I still get the same error when I click on your link and I can't see the Air Creation owners group when I search groups. I really do appreciate you working this out though. I know I'm missing out on some good mod shots.
Hi Ken, sorry to bug you again over this but I was about to hit "purchase" on the Amazon link for Racor you provided above as it's WAY cheaper than the CPS price but the Amazon listing says it's for diesel. Is the Amazon link you provided the right one? The picture is crap on there and I can't tell. The CPS version say's it's an "120AT at 120 bucks" and the Amazon say's it's an "120AS for 84 bucks". Holding off until I figure this out.
One of mine Says R12T on the side. I got it at adiesel.com the difference is in the microns you want. Adiesel has the 120AS for 88.39, 3 microns and rated at 15 GPH. One heck of a burn rate
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- Ken@knussear
Wile E ScottKen liked this
Ken you did it! Great Christmas present man. I'm in the AC owners group now and there's tons of good stuff in here. Come on in Leo!! I really like the rear Racor mount idea beside the coolant expansion bottle. Great way to inspect two at once for preflight. Very visible area too. A small downside is the facet fuel pump on my install would be before the filter. Not ideal but,,, the Tanarg has the larger micron filter at the fuel tank supply point. That should cover the intent of the total system. Lots and lots of good info on the Racor install and performance in here... still reading. Looks like I'm in for another mod this season.