Fueling filter mesh

[FlyingDude]

Hi all,

Does anyone use a portable screening mesh while fueling their tanks?  Fine,  washable mesh that will withstand the pressure from the nozzle. If none is available on the market, I'll build my own...

Thanks

[EricJ]

People used to use chamois cloth (sheep skin leather) for that.    I think it slows the rate that you can refuel, but when refueling at a remote location from barrels of unknown pedigree it used to be pretty common.

[N201MKTurbo]

The fuel dispenser here at the home drome has a substantial filter in line with the hose. I can’t imagine anything getting past the filter that would be caught by the mesh.

[PT20J]

Filtering fuel through a chamois is an old bush pilot trick usually used with a large metal funnel when fueling from cans. Chamois passes gas but not water so it is a way to ensure that there is no water in the fuel that may have entered the can by condensation. It can also create static electricity and thus a fire hazard. Never use plastic funnel. 

If you are fueling from an airport fuel pump or truck the gas will be well filtered and water free. 

[FlyingDude]

3 hours ago, PT20J said:

If you are fueling from an airport fuel pump or truck the gas will be well filtered and water free. 

Most of the time. Not always. Especially when fueling at locations with not so much traffic. 

[EricJ]

4 hours ago, PT20J said:

If you are fueling from an airport fuel pump or truck the gas will be well filtered and water free. 

That's not always a safe assumption.   A friend that had to manage an impossible turn in a C150 was due to the fuel truck being contaminated with water.   The student didn't see any water bubbles in the preflight sample because the entire sample was water.   It happens with stationary pump tanks as well.   Fortunately it seems to be rare these days, but it can still happen.

[PT20J]

I'm sure of the hundreds of thousands of fuelings that happen each year that there are a few with water contamination. But, I'm not going to lose sleep over it. I remember when I was in Alaska I drove out to Lake Hood Strip to see the remains of an airplane that caught fire during a refueling from cans using a chamois. All that was left was aluminum ash on the ground in the shape of an airplane and a melted engine. I'm more afraid of fire than water. You cannot protect yourself against everything.

[Jackk]

Uhh depends 

 

we talking in the 1st world?

 

mo gas from the car gas station?

 

avgas?

[N201MKTurbo]

Is there a particular malfunction you are trying to manage? Or, is this just a fear you have? I’ve been flying for 6000 hours over 45 years and have not had a fuel problem yet.

I could just be lucky…