I have installed an IO360 in my RV8. Reading the construction manual and reviewing the blueprints for the fuel system, I do not see where the gascolator should be mounted. Certainly one is required. Am I missing something or maybe overlooking it?
It's not uncommon to leave off the gascolator on fuel injected RV's. Give it a search - there was a thread on this recently which offered lots of varying opinions.
I have based my gascolator (Andair 375) position in the fuel system based on the Extra 400, a certified competition aerobatic aircraft. Check out the link for a diagram and maintenance advice.
...and the EA-400 is also a high wing aircraft, so there will be positive head pressure on the upstream side of the gascolator thanks to gravity. That will not be the case with a gascolator similarly positioned in the fuel system of a low wing RV. The aux fuel pump will have to suck fuel up through the gascolator, which may increase the potential for vapor lock.
Thanks for pointing out my homer moment it is the Extra 300 I am basing it on which is a mid wing aerobatic aircraft with an acro tank below the wing tanks. Not sure why I had the 400 in my head? I do apologise.
Regarding the comment about "The aux fuel pump will have to suck fuel up through the gascolator, which may increase the potential for vapor lock" the Extra Aircraft designers seem to be happy with the gascolator between the fuel selector valve and the aux electric pump.
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Regarding the comment about "The aux fuel pump will have to suck fuel up through the gascolator, which may increase the potential for vapor lock" the Extra Aircraft designers seem to be happy with the gascolator between the fuel selector valve and the aux electric pump.
The difference between the Extra 300 and any RV is that on the Extra the gascolator is positioned lower than any tank in the system. It is below the main tank. Positioning the gascolator below any of the tanks, cannot be easily done in the RV. In order for a gascolator to be effective, and trap water, it needs to be lower than any tank. So unless it is a regulatory requirement as it is in Canada, it is of not much use on a low wing fuel injected aircraft.
The Canada regulation is just a hold over from when many engines were carbureted.
I am not using the gascolator as a water trap in the RV due to the low positioning of the tanks, which have drains to do that job. I am using it as a filter, which Extra seem to be using it as well as I cannot see any reference to any other pre-pump filters on their diagrams.
