Rotax 912 80hp Is the gascolator on my airplane enough of a fuel filter

Jeffrey,

All/Most of, those nice European recreational  "fast glass", a lot of STAL ones as well, use Hengst or Hengst style filters -  Your New World bias is showing.

In 15 or so years, around my Rotax powered aircraft - never saw a hose leak.

Hoses replaced as per Rotax recommended 5 year service life. Cut with proper tool, to correct length.

Clamps are for security, not for leak prevention -further tightening  just make matters worse.

Proper push on spigots - not those old fashioned multi barb things, will never leak, if the correct hose is used.

Correct ID hose to OD spigot.

Clamps must have rounded edges, inner ring, non gratter type. These days spring/constant pressure clamps are even better (Rotax supply them as standard on new 912 ULS engines). 

Check out most new cars - push on hoses, secured by constant pressure clamps, everywhere - I don't see to many pising out fuel, coolant, oil, etc.

This is the sort of aluminium  pipe end you need for a leak free, secure, fuel hose, fitting:

 Light weight, simple, no threaded compression fittings.

If you must have a threaded fitting, something like this:

Note the lack of serrated barbs.

Thanks to everyone that commented . The airplane is a Rans S-18 experimental and I bought it from the fellow that built the airplane .

He had installed a metal cannister fuel filter and evidently did not have any issues as told by him but I just want to be careful is all . . If the wing tanks have a coarse metal strainer and with the aircraft gascolator screen that should be enough as someone stated . I am new to the Rotax engine and trying to learn and get acquainted with proper and safe maintenance .                         thanks again , Mike  

Hello Mike,

first i had problems to understand what a gascolator is. My aircraft with 80 hp Rotax have a metal tank between cabin and engine, after a short fuel hose i have a metal filter installed (Brand Male) - then a longer hose to the fuel pump - and a fuel hose to the carburator - thats it - it works for more than 15 years well. If You are worry about water in my oppinion you have to drain at the first flight. I think you have a drain valve at the tank. In which conditions you fly, park our aircraft or which type of fuel? In Europe there is no problem about water in the fuel and the condens water in the empty tank is also not really a problem. Drain is enough in our conditions. I think a gascolator is an option demand on your conditions not a must have. The more you have equipment, the more you can get problems.

Hi HKK

"...........first i had problems to understand what a gascolator is."

A gascolator is usually an all metal device, with an upper fixed section containing a gauze filter and a lower removable bowl (can have a glass bowl). The metal bowl is usually fitted with a bleed valve for the pilot to draw a sample of fuel to check for contaminants (particularly water).

 ".....If You are worry about water in my oppinion you have to drain at the first flight. I think you have a drain valve at the tank. In which conditions you fly, park our aircraft or which type of fuel? In Europe there is no problem about water in the fuel and the condens water in the empty tank is also not really a problem. Drain is enough in our conditions. I think a gascolator is an option demand on your conditions not a must have. ."

ALL pilots should be concerned about the potential for free water in their on board aircraft fuel.

Water in fuel can & does result from, condensation, leaking fuel tank caps and refueling with contaminated fuel.

Gascolators (various designs) are particularly good at separating water out of fuel and holding water for removal (pilot preflight sample)

"....The more you have equipment, the more you can get problems"

Agreed!

Already fitted to aircraft - No point in removing.

Required by regulation - No choice, must have.

Builders discretion - To fit or not to fit? Many believe a gascolator is an essential safety component of their aircrafts fuel supply system. I disagree, sighting the very many small aircraft, only fitted with automotive style filters, that appear to fly perfectly safely without incident year after year.

Whatever the system a builder chooses to fit , it will work ! BUT only if correctly installed. Too many of those opposed, to automotive style filters/systems, refer to poor installation they have seen/heard of, as their primary  justification for supporting the use of gascolators and all metal fuel lines.