Microlighters

Some time ago there was a discussion about the "innocent looking" filter. Somebody then added pics of the Mercedes Benz Diesel filter which apparently is a good one to use.
Can anyone give me that link on the forum. I cannot find it.

Hi Bacchus ou Maat,

Remember, you can rely on an Englishman !!

Onthou die storie “Ek is ‘n boerseun en sal jou nooit drop nie”.

Now where were you when we met at the Ferrymans??

Regards
John ZU-CIB

Hi,

The way I see it, the filter of Mercedes is actually a "pre filter". More a strainer than a filter. Is that type of coarse filtration enough for the Rotax, or does it still have another filter with an element downstream of the "pre filter"?

Regards,
Arnulf

Bacchus....that thread got "lost" when we lost some data between back-ups

Arnulf.....the Merc filter is perfectly ok to use as is.

Admin......please move this to Technical Talk

John!
If I only i knew!
Ek sal jou nooit ooit drop nie, ek is n boerseun!

Does anybody still have a pic of that filter? The merc one.

Bach.. I gotta few spares Merc filters - gimme a call

Hi Duck or John Young,

someone asked me the exact same question, and I can't seem to remember the reasons why it is a problem, pitty the thread is gone.

I remember both of you had a lot to say about it, mind posting a summary of the missing thread!

Thanks
Rudi

RudiGreyling wrote:I remember both of you had a lot to say about it, mind posting a summary of the missing thread!Rudi

Hi Rudi,

Succinctly, the "lost thread" may be summarized as;

• 10 different pilots suffered engine outs after some time [up to an hour] in the air.
• At least 3 of these pilots suffered multiple engine outs.
• One pilot wrote off his plane completely [see pics below].
• Another suffered an engine out at the Bundu Bash – broke nose wheel off after EFATO – engine “came back to life” [throttle now pulled open] and trike dragged him around for awhile.

In all instances, the cause of engine the cutting out could not be established. In many cases, after checking everything possible on the ground, pilot restarted and took off again.

Partial seizure [scuff marks] on the rear piston [503’s] had also been found. Yet after cooling, motor operated normally.

The mesh on the “innocent looking” filter is just too fine. It is difficult to imagine it being able to stop a low flow of fuel. However, a definite restriction is evident when you blow through the filter.

I can expand – but I think that this tells the story.

Regards
John ZU-CIB

Ja, I know........John's been waiting for my reply

John Young wrote:The mesh on the “innocent looking” filter is just too fine. It is difficult to imagine it being able to stop a low flow of fuel. However, a definite restriction is evident when you blow through the filter.

And none of the above incidents are proved to have been caused by the filter's "fine mesh", or have they?

In my opinion, the end of the flat shaft that goes through the filter "could, maybe/perhaps/miskien" have caused a blockage by trapping fine particles of debris onto its sharp edges. The work-around is to unscrew the filter and use some fine sandpaper to round off the flat edges on the tip of the shaft that sits in the middle of the fuel flow.
There are literally thousands of Rotaxes flying around with these filters and they are by far the most popular filters sold in the US, by all of the reputable dealers and as far as I know, nobody has been sued yet

F$%^&*K I have the innocent filter on the Bantam is it now suggested that it be replaced as my plane will not fit onto that bakkie.

And the filters are standard fit on all PM and Airborne trikes and have never given a problem?

Methinks you should look elswhere for the problem i.e. like dirty fuel.

John is right those filters are bad news. The only time I have ever had any fuel related issues and near engine out was because of one of them. I had cleaned the filter less than 5 hours prior to this incident. The mesh is so fine that it blocks completely with even the slightest obstruction. An electric fuel pump saved me that day.

Hi John, Duck,

Thanx for the summary / fix.

Rudi

Hello Quackie and Others,

Guys, I am not on a crusade to convert all and sundry. You guys are all responsible and can choose what to fit and how often change etc. It is and will remain your prerogative.

I came across what I believed was important information and decided to share it.

Last time round, I had the same detractors – but who cares? I have a thick skin and a good sense of humour.

It is just amazing that 3 of the said pilots had multiple engine outs and could not find the cause – believe me they checked & flushed & replaced & had sleepless nights.

Two of the 3 pilots changed back to the advocated filter and their motors never coughed again. One did not change and wrote his plane off.

In fact, of the 10 pilots who encountered problems, 9 had no further concerns with the correct filter [this includes Morph].

You decide. For R 30 is it worth it?

Hello Oom Quack-up and CW,

Knowing you two to be midnight lurkers, thought that I’d get “a shot in here”.

Yesterday, having a few fine drinks in the “Long Final” at Cato, found a very dismayed pilot – got some 2,500 hours and is technically solid.

“Can’t understand it”, he says. “After a while, my plane just loses power and starts spluttering”.

We talk through the routine – tank flush, pick-up filter, lines, air cleaner, plugs, – all new.

I state and say, “OK, you got the glass filter”. “Bet you fitted this and the K@K started”.

He muses for a few seconds and asks, “How did you know”? He said, “Funny thing now that you mention it – ever since I fitted the glass filter 4 hours ago, my K@K started”.

For the recode, he is number eleven [11].

Quackie, don’t choke on your B & Coke! Keep the feathers in place.

Regards
John ZU-CIB

PS: Weather too K@K to test today, but bet you my last ½ inch that he's OK now !!