| Author | Message | ||
     Eustace |
Has anyone successfully relocated the fuel filter in their late-model Lightning? I have an '06 XB12Ss, and I just discovered that a fuel filter replacement is going to cost me HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS because they hid the thing up inside the frame! You have to remove the SWINGARM to replace the fuel filter! INSANE!!! I would like to replace the filter with a tube (inside the pump assembly) and put an easily-accessed filter on the fuel feed line. Has anyone tried this? | ||
| Tq_freak |
how many miles are on your bike? I thought the change interval wasn't till over 50k miles for the filter. Taking the swingarm off and removing the fuel pump isnt that hard of a Job really. I think there have been some people that have been able to get the pump out with out taking the swing arm off the bike. | ||
| Bombardier |
I believe its because it filters the fuel before it gets to the pump. Possible cheaper to do that than have to replace the pump in the event of it getting some dirt etc in it. | ||
| Eustace |
I have 65K on the bike. Taking the swingarm off probably isn't that hard - if you have a stand. I don't. The fuel filter is located right behind a fitting on the pump assembly flange. Moving it from the inside to the outside won't affect that. If it's before the pump now, it still will be. If there is a way to do it without removing the swingarm I would sure like to know how. I posted that as a question to the Knowledge Vault forums. Nothing too useful yet. I'd sure like to meet the engineer who put that filter there. I'm sure he has a great career in fast food ahead of him. | ||
| Bertman |
Here is the fuel pump I had to replace on my 12R after 24K miles. I did not remove the swing arm but just removed the upper bolt between the swing arm and shock mount. Just slowly jacked the bike up until there was enough room to pull the whole fuel pump assembly out. Was not really that hard, but since I have a Micron exhaust I could not use the muffler as the jacking point and my lifting method became rather skittish.  A strainer filter first, then the pump (which is on top in this picture) followed by a 180 degree turn through the regulator and then the filter. I suppose you could eliminate the filter and splice it externally after the banjo fitting wherever space permits. | ||
| Brumbear |
on an 06 holy moly you must have a bathroom onboard | ||
| Eustace |
So it looks like I can put the filter on the line from the pump assembly to the fuel injection. The strainer filters fuel to the pump, the filter filters fuel to the fuel injection. I could use a piece of tubing/bar stock and two floor jacks to hold the bike while I jack down the swingarm (a tip I got elsewhere on the forums). This is looking like a plan. | ||
| Xbcrazy |
If you choose to take your fuel pump out, I highly, highly recommend getting new o-rings for the outside of the pump prior. The gas causes the old rings to become disfigured over time making it nearly impossible to get the pump back in and seal correctly if reused. Save the time and effort and have new ones handy before removing the pump. Pete | ||
| Eustace |
Thanks for the O-ring tip Pete. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Let us know how it goes Eustace! It doesn't sound like the job is that bad for a "once ever 50k miles" thing. | ||
| Cereal |
I don't mean to be a killjoy, but I have a question of logic for you. "The strainer filters fuel to the pump, the filter filters fuel to the fuel injection." Isn't filtering the fuel before it goes through the pump better? Whether it is filtered before or after the pump, it is still being filtered before it gets to the injectors. And this way, your pump will last longer. If you only have to change the filter every 25k and you don't actually have to completely remove the swing arm (I know from experience), I would leave it stock. | ||
| Saintly |
I don't mean to be a killjoy, but I have a question of logic for you. "The strainer filters fuel to the pump, the filter filters fuel to the fuel injection." Cereal, the above quoted order is how it's done from the factory. He'll not be changing the order at all, just moving the filter to the exterior of the frame. Having said that, I'd be hesitant to do such a modification. The XB's are packed real tight between the frame rails. Trying to shoehorn a filter into that space is asking for trouble if you ask me. Rub-throughs of plug wires and idle adjustment cables are a chronic problem in that area. I'd be scared to death of having a fuel filter rub-through! Not telling you what to do with your bike Eustace, just advising you to think it through carefully. | ||
| Cereal |
Ah, I get it now. There is a strainer and a filter in there. I mis-read Berman's post. I should never post in the early morning. Can't think straight until 10am. | ||
| New12r |
I'd sure like to meet the engineer who put that filter there. I'm sure he has a great career in fast food ahead of him. They were never designed to be replaced. Your car has a filter in the tank too, just like all the others, and will work fine until your fuel pump dies. IMO you are spending a lot of time/energy for a truly unnecessary mod. I would like to see it if you get it to work, only for my own curiosity. | ||
| Ccryder |
Some cars have filters in the tank, some are between the tank and engine. Advantages/ disadvantages to both. My 99' S3T had a fuel filter added after production by Buell. It was between the tank and the injectors. My 04' ST1300 has one in it's lower tank between the pump and the exit to the fuel rail/ injectors. Depending on filter size and fuel contaminates will depend on when/ how often you will have to replace the filter. Considering that you'll probably need to change the filter once or twice during your ownership, is the work worth the return? Neil S. |
