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RE: Europa-List: Unnerving experience

Subject: RE: Europa-List: Unnerving experience
From: Pete Lawless <pete@lawless.info>
Date: Fri, 8 Apr 2005 22:59:55

Hi 

This sound not unusual for a new aeroplane we had a similar problem at
about 8 hours from new.  I have also seen the same problem on another
Europa Classic just after initial permit issue.  I have a Classic (109)
and had repeated problems with the filters in the first few hours.  I
suspect the inlet pipe, which appears to exude brown goo for the first
few hours.  Just keep checking and cleaning the filters on a regular
basis.  My aeroplane has 130 hours on now and I still reckon to clean
the filter about every 10 hours.

Regards

Pete

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Peter Rees
Subject: Europa-List: Unnerving experience 


--> <peter.rees05@ntlworld.com>

When a co-owner of G-MFHI was out with an instructor last weekend, on 
climbout from a successful touch and go, the engine started 'surging' - 
repeatedly running roughly then not. A maday call was made and a
successful 
landing on an alternate runway was executed.


When the cowl was removed and a transparent piece of pipe put into the
fuel 
line, approximately 30-50% gas could be seen - it could not be
determined if 
this was air being drawn in or fuel vapour. When the reserve tank was 
selected, the gas was seen to disappear and the fuel pump ran
considerably 
easier.


My problem is that when I went to Rochester today, I couldn't repeat the

symptoms - the pump ran fine from both tanks with little if any bubbles.
The 
flow rate from the main tank was considerably less (approx 40l/hr as
opposed 
to 60l/hr from the reserve) - replacing the element in the main tank
filter 
eliminated the difference.


The aircraft was operating on Mogas, the filter units are the glass type

with metal end caps with a plastic element. The filter element looks to
have 
quite a lot of fibrous strands in.


My questions are:


1)      Has anyone experienced anything like this in the past - if so,
did 
you get to the root of the problem?

2)      There seems to be a thin layer of brown 'stuff' on the wall of
the 
fuel tank - any idea what this could be?

3)      Are these the best filter elements to use - there seem to be
more 
routes for air to get in that a sealed unit.


Sorry for such a long message but as you can understand, following the 
accident at Kemble, it was something of an unnerving experience for the 
pilot (and instructor) involved and we really want to find the cause,
not 
just a case of we think we've found it.


Peter


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