Craig--
I do not understand
> "I have one and it has a pressure relief valve in it.". Is that a bypass? Or an overboard high pressure relief system?
>"2. A gascolator is good for one thing and that is causing vapor lock on hot starts. Particles that do not have there own zip code are passed through. In 20 plus years I have never seen water come out of a gascolator. The gascolator in the Bonanza I fly, until the IV-P is complete, is not even visible let alone drainable. Drainage is done at annual. I can't possibly see how that device prevents a slug of water from going through to the engine.
I agree that the fuel as it travels through the engine compartment is going to have the potential of a vapor lock. That includes a gascolator.
I disagree that it takes a zip code to be trapped there. I have cleaned many gascolators that had very fine dust particles trapped in the screen. And in 50 years I have seen water (and mud) in gascolators (during preflights).
I am not familar with the Bonanza you fly, so excuse my ignorance, but your statement that the gascolator is not even "
visible let alone drainable" and only done at the annual?? would seem to be counter to FAR 23.999 1, 2ii 2iii
Section 23.999: Fuel system drains.
(a) There must be at least one drain to allow safe drainage of the entire fuel system with the airplane in its normal ground attitude.
(b) Each drain required by paragraph (a) of this section and §23.971 must—
(1) Discharge clear of all parts of the airplane;
(2) Have a drain valve—
(i) That has manual or automatic means for positive locking in the closed position;
(ii) That is readily accessible;
(iii) That can be easily opened and closed;
(iv) That allows the fuel to be caught for examination;
(v) That can be observed for proper closing; and
(vi) That is either located or protected to prevent fuel spillage in the event of a landing with landing gear retracted.
And I thought that draining the gascolator (and fuel tank sumps) prior to the first flight of the day was a standard preflight item.
Charlie K.
PS I agree with the Shock Cooling statement!