Fuel Cell Foam

[Pat]

During a routine check, I found some degraded fuel cell foam in my fuel filter. So it looks like it may be time to pull the cell and put in some fresh foam. Needles to say, this is a major pain in the rump so I'd really like to avoid doing it again anytime soon. I've been on a couple of sites that worn of buying cheap foam as it will degrade in as little as three years. Does anyone have a recommendation as to foam that will at least get me to 5 years or beyond?

 

[Bob Putnam]

You should probably spend the extra money and get the foam from ATL or Fuel Safe...

 

[DaveM]

Bob's right. I've known of/owned racecars with ATL foam 10 years old and still OK. Not that I would recommend going that long though. Wonder if ethanol shortens foam life?

 

[Darrin]

Bob's right. I've known of/owned racecars with ATL foam 10 years old and still OK. Not that I would recommend going that long though. Wonder if ethanol shortens foam life?

They don't say that explicitly but...

ATL Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Racing Safety Fuel Cell Bladder Tanks

 

[Pat]

Thanks so much for the input.
ATL recommends changing the foam every two year so I was hoping to find something to go a little longer.
I have a call into Fuel Safe and I'll see what they have to say. I'm also looking to see if there are any aircraft sources that may go a little longer.

 

[Jim Rosenthal]

Isn't there an aluminum material you can use for this? That doesn't have to be replaced every five years, or am I wrong on this?

 

[Ian Anderson]

Isn't there an aluminum material you can use for this? That doesn't have to be replaced every five years, or am I wrong on this?

Yes called Explosafe

EXPLOSAFE :: SYSTEM


It may work in the fire areambu certainly does not stop fuel sloshing back and forward under brake or acceleration.

Ian

 

[Jason Lycett]

I just did my tanks for the same reason. Everyone said it fails to pieces. So i bought the yellow stuff sold on ebay in small cubes. Whe i took my 17 year old tanks apart, i found the old foam fitted (yellow cubes) was perfect and exactly the same as the new stuff i was about to put in!

Try opening up your tank if your worried and take a look for degradation as there are lots of foams, but mine were very good. Check ebay and the listed foams are all pretty much the same