Gascolator

Most gascolators will work just fine. You're supposed to open them every annual and inspect them for debris. I rarely find much of anything. 

Howard,

The 912 installation manual has a fuel system diagram showing a combination gascolator and fine filter. This is defined as having a screen size of .1mm (70-100 micron).  In this case, the coarse filter would be before that, typically the finger screen in the fuel tank.  

Howard,

Unless mandated I would advocate against fitting a gascolator - heavy, expensive, messy to service, relativly small filter area..

Instead I would suggest a, light weight, transparent body, almost indestructible, leak proof, disposable, gauze, filter be fitted to each fuel supply line in a position where the pilot can do a visual inspection before each flight eg

 # Hengst HG 102 (&103) WK

 # Baldwin BF 7725 -7863 - 7850 - etc

While these filters are designed to be replaced, it is possible to clean them (to some degree). I replaced at every 100 hrs and carried a spare for 10 years , never used. Used ones ended up on ground based engines (mowers,etc)😈

Hi Sean,

Almost all the planes I work on have gascolators. They are easy to install, easy to inspect and help keep water and debris out. I think a huge majority of planes have them, but that's speculation on my part.

Hi Roger,

I think we have already explored each others opinions on this topic.

Just to be clear; I am not against gascolators, I just think for small aircraft they are an unnecessary expense,  relativly heavy (compared with my suggestions) do a fair job of separating water (if you have that problem),  bit limited on filter area, can be messy to service.

The in-line gauze filters I have mentioned (I am sure there are other manufactures out there) will do a great job and pretty much make the gascolator redundant WITH ONE CHARACTERISTIC EXCEPTION - the gascolator will do a better job of water seperation.