Re: External Fuel Filter issue

[John Merlinw Williams <jmerlinw@xxxxxxx>]

Will:

Some thoughts on sources:

My BMW dealer stocks hose clamps that Tom mentioned. The BMW ones are  
stainless and are wider than the toothed type and have a slight  
radius (turned away from the hose) at the edges that keep the edge of  
the clamp from cutting into the hose in a bend. After I had installed  
the BMW clamps, I found non-stainless at the local Murrays' discount  
auto store that have an even more pronounced radius bend - much  
cheaper and I use these latter on a Ducati race bike. They seem to be  
made by both two companies: ABA and AWAB - stamped on the band. Their  
web sites are pretty useless. They appear to be nickel or zinc- 
plated. They have not rusted on my Duc, but it is never ridden or  
parked in the rain.

I also purchased BMW-approved hose from the dealer. Another option is  
a Nitrile-lined hose made by Goodyear (has a blue lining). I use this  
in my Ducati with race fuel. Discovered it after doing the last  
beemer hose replacement. Maybe others have experience with this.  
Murray's Auto Parts (Michigan locations, at least) carry it -  
probably other auto parts stores
	<http://www.goodyearep.com/ProductsDetail.aspx?id=5144>

Although I doubt kinking is a problem (I do recall one u-bend inside  
the tank) Murray's also just started stocking a slip-on shaper for  
fuel hose. Looks like a spring, but will hold a fixed radius. Maybe  
others have experience with this. If you can't get the BMW "U" hose  
this might be an option. Maybe it's not needed if you have moved the  
filter outside.


John Merlin Williams

jmerlinw@xxxxxxx
http://www.johnmerlinwilliams.com

1999 Ducati ss 750
1999 BMW R1100RS

-------------------------------------

On Sep 23, 2008, at 8:57 AM, Tom Brown wrote:

> Will:
>
> Size and type of fuel hose is important.  If you go to an auto  
> parts store,
> the stuff they sell is often not the good stuff.   BMW dealers, car  
> or bike,
> have the good stuff in the parts dept.  I got some at a Mercedes  
> dealer
> once.  Expensive but good.
>
> Hose clamps need to be the good ones, not the ones with the slots  
> in the
> clamps.  They grab the hose differently.   I'm thinking the hose  
> diameter is
> the culprit here given all the trouble you're having.
>
> If you have the hose outlets mixed up, you'll have other problems.   
> Since
> you've run the bike successfully, you probably have them right.
>
> Good luck,
>
> -TB
>
> From: WILLIAM BUFFTON <will3hawks@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: fuel system-The  nightmare continues
>
> Good afternoon heads,
>
> I decided to change the fuel filter on my 94 R1100RS. Decided to  
> try the
> late Rob Lentini's conversion to an external filter. Removed the  
> canister
> and replaced the  old vent lines with new, also replaced the fuel  
> strainer
> on the fuel pump. After much  work I was having trouble with the line
> leading into the fuel distribution line leaking like crazy. After  
> consulting
> with Tom Cutter, I double clamped the line and the leaking  stopped  
> there.
> Using the specified filter  (3401 if memory serves) I hooked  
> everything up.
> Bear in mind that all the fuel lines are new. When I turn the ignition
> switch on and the system presurizes, fuel begins pissing at the   
> output end
> of the filter. It is not the filter, i've tried 4 new ones as well  
> as new
> clamps. The fuel pressure simply overcomes the clamp and leaks at  
> the output
> end of the filter.
>
> I know that others have done this conversion successfully so i'm  
> lost at
> this point.
>
> The only thoughts I have are that the fuel pressure regulator has  
> something
> to do with it or perhaps the stock BMW  filter may have a pressure
> regulating function which holds back  some of the pressure  on the  
> input
> side (I was not using the BMW filter in this application).
>
> Tom  advocated that I go  with the origional setup and put the  
> filter back
> in the tank. At this point, i'm so damn sick of ripping everything  
> apart
> that I don't know what else to do.
>
> Another thing is that sometimes I would replace the filter and  
> clamps and
> the bike would run fine and not leak.  I  went through a round of this
> yesterday and ran the bike at high speed as well as up and down  
> through the
> gears with no leaking; then this morning when I turned the ignition  
> on the
> thing began pissing fuel again.
>
> Any help and advice is most welcome as the alternative for the bike  
> is a
> match.
>
> Regards,
>
> Will