Fuel Magnet and OS 91 SZ

[Gary O]

I have this set up in a Stratus that doesn't have a gallon through it yet and this past Sunday while flying the engine just quit. I got it down and it still had over a half tank of fuel left. After noticing my fuel was much darker than normal I opened the lid to find the sponge had basically come apart in a million little pieces. I haven't had a chance to see if it damged the engine yet. The part that surprises me is this fuel magnet was brand new, not even a gallon of fuel on it, and I never leave fuel in a tank. Not sure what caused it. I don't think I'll be using these anymore though.

[DavidH]

I have not had that happen with the grey foam when using muffler pressure. But I did have it happen when the white foam was being used.

It shouldn't damage your engine. You did have a filter between the tank and carb?

Seen lots of pilots using muffler pressure and the fuel magnet with grey foam. Don't think they have had any problems with the foam in that short of period. But when using muffler pressure I do suggest checking the foam on the fuel magnet every gallon or so.

David

[Gary O]

I always run a filter. I was just surprised it came apart that fast. It had only hovered 2 tanks and that was the 2nd tank in FF that the foam did that. This foam was a dark grey color. Is there a different one?

[DavidH]

No the greyish/black looking foam is the one that OMI uses now. We tested several foams and found it to be the one that held up the best when using muffler pressure.
I suggest contacting James at OMI and discussing it with him. James is great to talk to and would like to hear about any problems.

David

[Gary O]

Thanks David, I'll call and see what he thinks.


"Roll Tide"

[JohnSSN700]

I have ordered a couple of the fuel magnets lately from Ricks and all of them are the white foam ones. Even bought a refill package and they are all the white ones. Guess Ricks still only has the old style in stock.......... :?

[DavidH]

Unless James has changed the foam. This is the current one. I talked to James 2 weeks ago. He didn't mention anything different about the foam.

Here is the picture of the ones I have.

http://www.ronlund.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=heli&Product_Code=OMIFUELMAG

David

[pilotError]

I just ordered one from Ricks too. He sent me a white one, I do have a Grey replacement from East Coast Extreme though.

[DavidH]

I called and talked to James at OMI. He has went back to the white foam on the fuel magnets. He said the white foam is a little more poreous than the grey foam. He switched back to the white foam approx 2 weeks ago.
The replacement elements in the white foam, there will be 3 of them in a package.
So if you have a white foam element on the fuel magnet. It is a new fuel magnet.

David

[JohnSSN700]

Cool, I thought I was geting stuck with the old ones. I ordered a erplacement bag and it did indeed contain 3 elements! Thanks David.

John