Fuel or pump?

I may have the beginnings of the dreaded fuel pump/filter problem.  Today (after fueling up at Cann River - United), my bike wouldn't pull through 4,000 - 5,000 rpm.  It was still ok below these revs but it made me think twice about overtaking.  I topped up in Merimbula with 98 and it seemed much better for the ride home (~40kms).  But I recall at least one other owner going through this, thinking it might be fuel, putting in additives, etc but eventually having to get the pump attended to.  With a few rides coming up, I think it would be worth just going straight to the 'Gus fix' irrespective of whether it was the fuel or not.  Should keep me out of trouble for a few hours!

PS: bike is a 2010 1250s with 48,000kms on it.

Might be worthwhile .......................did your valve clearances need any attention @ 48,000km ?

I haven't had the 48k service yet Paul - it actually has just under 48k on it so I expect to do the service in the next couple of weeks (before the get together).

Ewok1958 wrote:I haven't had the 48k service yet Paul - it actually has just under 48k on it so I expect to do the service in the next couple of weeks (before the get together).

Be interesting to know how it goes ...............too much going on here at the moment to make the get together unfortunately   / oh well there is always next year

That's how it goes ,goes fine then will not rev ,then fine until it barely goes at all .

Did the fix this morning.  Siphoned the fuel out, undid the tank holding bolts, then the breather tubes, main fuel feed and the electrical connector.  So tank off and upside down on the work bench (an old cushion!).  Removed the hex bolts holding the pump in the tank.  Removed the pump, undoing another electrical connector to allow it to come out.  At this point, looking at the fully assembled pump, complete with more electrical connectors I had some doubts about my ability to go any further.  Rechecked Gus' thread and then fully disassembled the pump. Got in there with the bared electrical wire brush (see Gus' post) but no gunge appeared (oh no, it must be something else!).  But kept up the scrubbing process, flushing with injector cleaner & fuel.  The tea-bag filter also looked pretty clean.  Put the whole thing back together - no left overs!  Added the injector cleaner to the tank then started it up - pressurised correctly and no fault messages, idled fine and revved with no load.

Took it for a spin this arvo - ran fine and pulled up the hills like it is supposed to.  No hesitation or reluctance to rev past 4,000rpm.  Ripper!  Gave some more stick, up to 6,000rpm in 6th - all good.

I don't know if it was the cleaning, the refuel with 98 at Merimbula, or the injector cleaner, but I'm happy that it is back to normal.  Now that I know how the pump is assembled and connected I'd not hesitate to pull it out again and clean it.  Much better than paying a motza for a new one (that will surely play up anyhow sooner or later).  But I might also get the air cleaner replaced at the upcoming 48,000kms service.

Thanks Gus. 

Fingers crossed eh

The pleasure of me trying to blow myself up searching for the problem is thanks enough .

Dave, How much injector cleaner did you put in the tank?

About one quarter to one third of the bottle - I didn't measure it, just used what I thought was appropriate for 19 litres based on the instructions for cars on the bottle that said add the whole bottle to a full tank.

Ewok1958 wrote:About one quarter to one third of the bottle - I didn't measure it, just used what I thought was appropriate for 19 litres based on the instructions for cars on the bottle that said add the whole bottle to a full tank.

20ml to a full tank

Have dropped the Bandit in to a dealer for its 48,000kms valve clearance check and plug change and assorted other things (I already did the oil and filter).  I don't know if it was the strong gusty tail wind or the fuel pump service, but she seemed to fly along - I kept getting surprised how fast I was going.  And it definitely pulls better.

Ewok1958 wrote:Have dropped the Bandit in to a dealer for its 48,000kms valve clearance check and plug change and assorted other things (I already did the oil and filter).  I don't know if it was the strong gusty tail wind or the fuel pump service, but she seemed to fly along - I kept getting surprised how fast I was going.  And it definitely pulls better.

No i think its the fact you have been riding with, terry, shawn and myself, a bad influence maybe

Nah James - you blokes are too far away out front for me to be able to learn anything!!! 

Damn me if it isn't doing it again - maybe even worse than last time.  The air cleaner looked dirty so I've cleaned it but the problem remains.  Have ordered a new air cleaner, plugs (even though they were supposedly replaced only 4,000kms ago) and one of those $100 fuel pumps from the States.  Waiting for the parts to arrive.  Bike is ok up to 4,000rpm but feels choked (ie strangled) after that.  I even put the standard can back on in case it was the exhaust side of things.  The problem certainly feels like it is not getting enough fuel/air at any revs beyond about 4,000 - 5,000.  Does it in all gears.

I thought it was fixed but I'll give that fuel screen another scrub when I put the new plugs and pump in.

Bugger.

     

Bloody Suzuki fuel pumps.

Time to trade up to a gsx dave

Unsure about the Bandits,  but the filters that I had to remove from my Aprilia tank were so incredibly fine that I couldn't make out the mesh weave with my naked eye. 
I cleaned the little buggers with carby clean and compressed air and looked through them into bright light and they looked clean as a whistle.  Still had starvation issues.  Cut the filters out completely and put in line filters in. Problem went away. 
Is there an opinion on punching out the offending filter on the Bandit and sourcing a car efi filter to go inline between the tank and fuel rail? There seems to be plenty of room.  
I had a moments hesitation from my girl the other day. With 54000 on the clock I'm thinking it may be the first signs of blockage

Ewok1958 wrote:Damn me if it isn't doing it again - maybe even worse than last time.  The air cleaner looked dirty so I've cleaned it but the problem remains.  Have ordered a new air cleaner, plugs (even though they were supposedly replaced only 4,000kms ago) and one of those $100 fuel pumps from the States.  Waiting for the parts to arrive.  Bike is ok up to 4,000rpm but feels choked (ie strangled) after that.  I even put the standard can back on in case it was the exhaust side of things.  The problem certainly feels like it is not getting enough fuel/air at any revs beyond about 4,000 - 5,000.  Does it in all gears.

I thought it was fixed but I'll give that fuel screen another scrub when I put the new plugs and pump in.

Bugger.

     

EWOK, there is a micro filter in the pump, so i have been told, which blockes up easily with dirty fuel, did you flush out the tank with the pump out, apart from that get the workshop to check the pump pressure also

This is a pretty good cut away of the fuel pump assembly.  #15 is the teabag filter and if my memory is correct, #8 contains the mesh screen, both of which I gave plenty of attention last time around.  Ah well, let's see if the replacement parts and another scrub make a difference.  Yep, all fuel drained from the tank as well.

Out of interest , where do the ones who have had problems with their filter buy their fuel normally................it seems not everyone with the same pump has problems , so maybe there is a common denominator with the brand of outlets. 

Dunno Paul, I think there was a bit of a discussion on this before.  I have generally used Caltex, 95 or 98 but not exclusively.  There has been the odd Mobil, Shell, BP and who knows what from regional servos.  But I predominantly used 95 or 98, not 91 irrespective of the brand.

The only other thing I know is that Grover had two pumps replaced by Suzuki under warranty and was told that one had suffered "bearing failure".  Whether this is true or just something the dealer came up with by way of an excuse is open to question.

Sorry to hear you're back to square one Dave.
It's got to be a piss poor design thats specific to the Bandit.
For what it's worth I've been running United 91 in mine for 9 months. I used to run the occasional tank of 98 but it makes no difference.
Fingers crossed I don't have to call you for a hand one day!

It would be worth getting the new fuel pump checked for pressure before you put it in, and also the old pump just as a comparsion, just a thought