> Date: January 14, 2008 9:46:58 AM PST > To: lml@lancaironline.net > Subject: To air filter or NOT to air filter - THAT is the question. > > > Okay, everyone has me convinced my engine won't die if I fly in > rain, but now I have a question about air intake filters. > > Wouldn't it be true that if I had a filter in my 2 1/4" intake > tube, that it could freeze up or clog faster than if I had no air > filter into my carb? If I did have a filter, It might stop a bird > but at 200 mph, that is doubtful but then again the prop might make > the best air filter of all. > > I'd like some opinions on that. > > Thanks. > > Matt > --Apple-Mail-47-908543110 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1 Sounds like a couple of questions there - does one want a filter at all? = =A0And if not, should one add some sort of screen to the inlet.

I'm not sure whether a = filter is usually a good idea or not - most flying is done in clean air, = but on the ground and during an occasional dust storm the engine could = ingest enough dust to wear it out quickly. =A0I would use a filter = unless I expected to overhaul the engine before TBO for some other = reason anyway. =A0However, lots of people run filters that quite a bit = below the filtering efficiency of a standard paper element (oiled foam = or K&N) and I don't know of any widespread problem. =A0Maybe the = standard paper filters are more like insurance policies - likely never = needed, but once it a while they are worth it. =A0I think there is = enough dust right at ground level that I think a good paper filter is = worthwhile. =A0Just an opinion, as I have no data to support it. =A0I = can detect a trace of dust in the filter housing ahead of the filter, = but after the filter it is clean. =A0The engine is expensive enough that = I figure the filter is worth it.

Filters do inhibit solid = water - sometimes too much - and like posted on this list the engine has = no real problem ingesting water. =A0They also (presumably) prevent = rocks, bolts and birds from entering. =A0A screen could do that, but I = would hesitate to put a screen flat across the intake - something like a = rag could plug the whole thing. =A0If the screen were cylindrical shaped = or otherwise not in direct line with the flow it would offer enough area = to hopefully not plug if something entered.

Gary Casey

From: Matt Reeves <mattreeves@yahoo.com>
Date: January 14, 2008 9:46:58 AM = PST
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Subject: To air filter or NOT to air filter - = THAT is the question.

=
Okay, everyone has me convinced my engine won't die if I fly in = rain, but now I have a question about air intake filters.
=
=A0

Wouldn't it be true that if I had a filter in my 2 = 1/4" intake tube, that it could freeze up or clog faster than if I had = no air filter into my carb?=A0 If I did have a filter, It might stop a = bird but at 200 mph, that is doubtful but then again the prop might make = the best air filter of all.

=A0

I'd like some = opinions on that.

=A0

Thanks.
=
=A0
=
Matt

= --Apple-Mail-47-908543110--