Fuel or pump?

First topic message reminder :

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.

paul wrote: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. 

Haven't had problems with the filter yet.....but personally... I avoid United servos like the plague. I've picked up bad fuel from them before (up here). While a lot of different brand outlets source fuel from the same bulk suppliers (up here at least), I don't believe that they all necessarily care for their retail delivery systems  (tanks / separators / filters) the same.

We've had United servos up here publicly outed for significant contaminants (muddy water) in their underground tanks. A mate tried to take them to task after his fuel pump on a Bavarian 1150GS died. We pulled the bike down on the side of the road 200kms south of Darwin. Fuel was full of crap (visible). Tried the official channels and it all got way too hard so now I simply choose to buy elsewhere. The one time I did have to go for united (or run out) the 1250 coughed and surged its way through that tank. I expected the coughing so didn't panic. It sorted itself with a clean tankful from another servo.

Just noticed that the US-sourced fuel pump has doubled in price since I bought one last week!

                 http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/271253487123?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649


There is another vendor in the States selling a pump at under $100:

                 http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/111221915447?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Rode it up to Canberra today.  Ran like crap to Cooma, barely able to get to 4,000rpm.  Refuelled in Cooma and it was good past 6,000rpm.  Hmm, am wondering if a wasp hasn't blocked a tank breather tube.  Will add that to the list of things to service after Xmas.

PS: New fuel pump, fuel filter, air cleaner and plugs have arrived so I can see what I need to be doing as soon as I can get away from the seasonal festivities.

Rode back from Canberra and by the end of the tank, she'd hardly pull past 3,000rpm, so I couldn't overtake any traffic.  You could see cars trying to let me past and must have been thinking I was a newbie or something.

Right, back to the shed, pulled things apart again this arvo and:
- made sure the fuel tank breather tubes were not blocked
- replaced the aircleaner
- replaced the plugs (a bit of a pain in the arse due to limited access, particularly the one covered by the thermostat.  The old plugs looked good so I don't think they were contributing to the problem.
- replaced the fuel pump and tea-bag filter, also scrubbed the mesh screen again in copious amounts of injector cleaner.  Once you've done this it is surprisingly easy to do a subsequent time.

Put it back together and it started instantly and idled properly so I don't think I upset anything.  Revs fine with no load but it would do that before.  It's only under load that the problem shows up.

Can't take it for a ride until tomorrow as it is raining (again!).  If this hasn't fixed it, it will have to go to a workshop - although I'm stuffed to think what else might cause the problem.  The above cost me just on $150 so fingers crossed it will do its stuff on the blacktop.

Can't take it for a ride ...  as it is raining

<cough>

I hope she's fixed Dave. If not its time to check delivery pressure but im sure you have thought of that.

I'm no mechanic Chris - I'd hope a new pump would be delivering the right pressure.  There's no fuel leaking out anywhere.     

Ewok1958 wrote:I'm no mechanic Chris - I'd hope a new pump would be delivering the right pressure.  There's no fuel leaking out anywhere.     

Sorry mate I had a blonde moment and forgot you changed pumps.

    

Went for a 200km spin today and it all felt good.  Unfortunately that is what happened last time as well.  However, there is no hint of it not pulling properly now so I've got my fingers crossed that all is OK.  The only thing I could definitely detect was slight surging and an "unsuredness" at low speeds with low throttle openings, so I think a throttle body balance to finish off the tune-up would be in order.  Happy again at least for now!    

Ewok1958 wrote:Went for a 200km spin today and it all felt good.  Unfortunately that is what happened last time as well.  However, there is no hint of it not pulling properly now so I've got my fingers crossed that all is OK.  The only thing I could definitely detect was slight surging and an "unsuredness" at low speeds with low throttle openings, so I think a throttle body balance to finish off the tune-up would be in order.  Happy again at least for now!    

yeah I've noticed that ever so slight surging at times as well....

The surging, assuming standard fuelling, is standard Bandit leanness at low speed and Euro 3 is to blame

I reckon it can be tuned out, or at least lessened, so I'm going to see what a throttle body balance will do. Have to say though, I'm happy to have the beast feeling like the rev limiter isn't trying to cut in at 4,000rpm!!

I reckon buying one of these is bloody cheap insurance - I reckon there is enough weight of evidence to suggest you'll probably need one in your Bandit lifetime.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/111221915447?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Having just done a pump replacement, I'm going to order another one at those prices just in case.

Pretty cheap alright. Considering Jan paid nearly $700 to have her Gladius one replaced . With a genuine one. We Hope !

I opened up the airbox and removed the secondary butterflies on my bike. Not wanting to run too lean, I invested in a Dobeck EJK fuel controller. 
$200 plug and play. Excellent results.  It has sorted out the bad stock fueling and smoothed the bike right out. 
I also fitted one to my SV (the reason I was researching them in the first place) with outstanding results.  
I can't praise them highly enough.

Ewok1958 wrote:I reckon buying one of these is bloody cheap insurance - I reckon there is enough weight of evidence to suggest you'll probably need one in your Bandit lifetime.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/111221915447?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Having just done a pump replacement, I'm going to order another one at those prices just in case.

Shhhhhhh......you"ll jinks me!!! 48k and still going well.