Fuel filters beware

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Thu May 07, 2015 12:18 pm

This week, while my engine was dynoed the operator "Matt" had changed jets and cleaned the bowl out of the carbie. Then running the engine - on the graph there was a sudden drop of power. Checked the bowl for what appeared a fuel blockage and there was a fine powder at the bottom of the bowl. So we changed the fuel filter from an EJ type to a clear plastic one suitable for carbies.

All went well and today I cut open the old EJ filter (this filter had been on the engine about 12 months and 10,000 kms). This is the result.

The white substance is like chalk but harder. The fuel tank is alloy.

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Thu May 07, 2015 6:55 pm

Sent that pic to "Matt" my dyno operator and he said "looks nasty,,, must have had water in the fuel a long time ago"

Sounds logical.

Subydoug · Post by **Subydoug** » Thu May 07, 2015 10:30 pm

Seems like you need to go on a large road trip, really flush out the tank a couple of times

.

Regards

Doug

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Thu May 07, 2015 10:47 pm

mmmm, but if the corrosion from water in the tank caused the issue in the filter then the tank by now might be water free.

The white substance is really hard and to me resembles corrosion. Its like caked on fine salt.
Tony

Silverbullet · Post by **Silverbullet** » Thu May 07, 2015 11:01 pm

Aluminium oxide? That is hard stuff, It's what grinding wheels are made of after all. But I didn't think just water would cause alloy to oxidize that much. Maybe the combo of water+fuel is not good for alloy tanks.

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Fri May 08, 2015 12:20 am

I'm thinking the problem is isolated in the filter SB

The SPFI system was taken off and the engine taken out. Engine reco took 5 months then couple weeks install. Then couple weeks manifold and carbie mods and adapter. Quite a while the filter sitting there.

If the oxide formed in the filter alone then the tank would be ok.

Will take a clear glass of fuel from the tank in the morning and let it sit and sit. see if there is water in it.

cheers.