Ironflight said:My biggest concern has never been vapor lock (as many have said), but the affects of Mogas chemistry on seals and other soft stuff in the fuel system. Which leads to my question...
If I trace the RV-8 fuel system from tank to engine, I find lots of metal-to-metal joints, potentially some seals in the Andair fuel valve, some jacketed hose between the gascolator and fuel pump (and Carb), soft-goods in the fuel pump, and then I suppose, some seals in the carb.
So my question remains - if I want to "Auto-Gas-Proof" my system, what parts need to be replaced, how do I make sure they are the right (fuel-proof) material, and is there any downside to installign them, and using them with AvGas?
Ironflight said:As far as alchohol in the Mogas, to me it seems as if testing is a mute point. Since the use of it in auto gas is hard to predict, and testing is problematic, I think that if you want to run it regularly, you simply have to ASSUME that it will have alcohol in it, and protect your system appropriately. (You arrive at an airport low on fuel, and have to fill up. You go through the magic test, and find alcohol - what do you do? Sell the airplane where it is and take the bus? Of course not- you fill up and go anyway!)
So my question remains - if I want to "Auto-Gas-Proof" my system, what parts need to be replaced, how do I make sure they are the right (fuel-proof) material, and is there any downside to installign them, and using them with AvGas?
The famous Peterson STC doesn't answer these quesitons becasue it requires you to use AutoGas without Alcohol....
Paul
Here's a short article concerning the addition of oxygenates to gasoline.Ironflight said:So my question remains - if I want to "Auto-Gas-Proof" my system, what parts need to be replaced, how do I make sure they are the right (fuel-proof) material, and is there any downside to installign them, and using them with AvGas?
Paul
Here's a short article concerning the addition of oxygenates to gasoline.
N395V said:Twin Cessnas spefically the Turbo 310s and 414s have a propensity to form ice in the fuel distribution spiders ar high altitude during the winter.
It is Continentals recomendation that isopropyl alcohol be added to the fuel during winter months to "absorb" the moisture and lower the freezing point.
I believe the recommendation was a pint per 25-50 gallons. They make no mention of replacing seals or hoses. In fact I did this gor many years on my 685 Commander and 414 Cessna with no deleterious effects. So I suspect the answer is nothing necessary to change prior to using MoGas with alcohol.
I have heard many concerns about the effects of alcohol on non metallic components but have never heard it 1st hand nor seen it. OWTs????
More problematic to running MoGas is it's availability at airports.
NOTE: Use of auto fuel blended with ethanol or gasohol is forbidden. Ethanol (alcohol) mixed with unleaded fuel can cause vapor lock, carburetor ice, reduction in range, carburetor problems and damage to the fuel system. The use of an alcohol (and water) tester is recommended .
Looks like they stand, no alchohol in their engines...it is a pitty, since most Mogas in SA has alchohol in it.I understand that Rudi has 2 primary questions which are addressed here.
Please let me know if you need additional information.
1.) Alcohol effects on fuel system components:
Superior's XP-360 engines are manufactured with components that are resistant to alcohol. However, fuel system components industry-wide have not all historically shared this feature. Because the XP-360 engine is an experimental engine and can potentially be modified by the user, the potential exists for fuel system components to be used which are capable of being damaged by alcohol. Further, seals and other components in the airframe fuel system may not be
tolerant of alcohol.
2.) Statement from fuel companies regarding the use of alcohol in gasoline:
Superior does not allow the use of fuel containing alcohol in its XP-360 engines. Superior strongly recommends the use of a Reid Vapor Pressure tester such as a Hodges Volatility Tester when motor gasoline is used.
Not exactly what I understood them to say.Rudi said:Looks like they stand, no alchohol in their engines...it is a pitty, since most Mogas in SA has alchohol in it.
Seems like their engines are ok with alcohol content. They seem to be more worried about other parts of the fuel system having trouble with alcohol in the fuel.Superior said:Superior's XP-360 engines are manufactured with components that are resistant to alcohol.
Here is an article from AVWEB Pelican's Perch on alternatives to leaded fuel.Ironflight said:As far as alchohol in the Mogas, to me it seems as if testing is a mute point. Since the use of it in auto gas is hard to predict, and testing is problematic, I think that if you want to run it regularly, you simply have to ASSUME that it will have alcohol in it, and protect your system appropriately. (You arrive at an airport low on fuel, and have to fill up. You go through the magic test, and find alcohol - what do you do? Sell the airplane where it is and take the bus? Of course not- you fill up and go anyway!)
So my question remains - if I want to "Auto-Gas-Proof" my system, what parts need to be replaced, how do I make sure they are the right (fuel-proof) material, and is there any downside to installign them, and using them with AvGas?
The famous Peterson STC doesn't answer these quesitons becasue it requires you to use AutoGas without Alcohol....
Paul