In-line fuel filter? Is it needed?
 

Apologies if this question should go in the Technical help section, but given that I'm in the middle of trying to prep my bike for the big trip (UK-Oz) I felt it might be more appropriate here.

I've just been reading through the Adventure Motorcycle Handbook (my bed time reading these days!!) and it mentioned that it might be worth thinking about an in-line fuel filter for riding in more dusty/sandy parts of the world.

To be honest I'd thought about Air filters and oil filters, but don't really know what an in-line filter is, where it goes or whether i need one?

Any advice, particularly from those in the more dusty/sandy parts of the world would be greatly appreciated....

thanks in advance

Hi there, i had this enquiry a year or 2 ago as well.
Inline fuel filters for fual will help alot especially in rural places where there is so much sand and dirt in the fuel it will clog up your fuel system fast.
I had a look at the fuel line of the bike, and there is no easy way to just cut a pipe and install a inline filter, you will have to extend one of the lines leading from the tank and then install inline filter.
GB

Hey there Bob - a fuel filter can/will protect you against dirt in the fuel (such as debris found in the bottom of a Jerry can for example) - but to be honest, unless you are filling up from a hut at the side of a remote trail, you are unlikely to need one. It won't protect from airborne dust etc, unless you're filling up in a sandstorm!

Also, the fuel injected XT has a fuel filter inside the tank that should stop the worst of it - most in-line filters are used on bikes with Carbs and a regular fuel tap.

As Gerhard suggests, you might have a problem cutting the fuel line of an fuel injected bike, as the fuel is pressurized from the pump - so you'd need to make sure the hose ends were secured to any filter with jubilee clips...

Personally I'd not bother - my bike has covered over 36,000 miles now, including a rally to Dakar (where we filled the tanks from oil drums) with no problems at all...

J xx

and how do we replace that filter that is in the tank if you suspect foul play from the guy at the hut....Is it in the manual?
GB

It's a bit of task that's for sure... I took the fuel pump out of my tank when I had it painted (the tank not the pump of course!) and there was no obvious filter assembly or anything that looked 'removable'... it is not even listed as a service item (like some other EFi bikes) so to be honest, it's a mystery?!

However, the dealer assured me that the pump 'must' contain some sort of filter... I wouldn't like to have to replace the whole pump mind you, that would be ���s I imagine!

J xx

and you trust yor dealer?
I would like to see that filter to belive it....

I am sure that you can not go wrong with an easily access able, and easy cleanable inline fuel filter.

Ask Kev...i'm sure he'll point you in the right direction.

The other option staying away from a in line fuel filter would be to have a filter and a funnel so you clean the fuel before it goes into the tank rather than clean it after its been through the fuel pump and is at pressure. It would mean having to carry around a funnel+filter. But then again the XTR/Tenere are design to run on lower grade fuels so a bit of dirt/sand isnt going to harm them really? is it?

I think i read somewhere that inline fuel filters are only ever used on carbed bikes as its mostly gravity feed to a pump, because if you put pressure on the fuel filter the dirt will at some point be pushed through and into your engine.

I agree with Maxwell. Don't just put any filter in there....

As far as filtering the fuel as you put it in, especially in Africa, Maxwell is right. Another consideration is a Shamois cloth/leather to filter the fuel while refueling. Wont take a lot off space either.

If you want to fit a inline filter it has to be a metal pressurized filter with a min of 3 bars pressure capability.

I would not recommend you to cut the fuel hose in half, I would buy a second hand fuel pipe off Ebay & fit a clip on type filter that is compatible with the XT660 hoses, it should not be to hard to find a 3 bar filter that will fit the hoses from your local Auto shop.

The best preventive is not to full the bike with dirty contaminated fuel, I have used one of these before & they work a treat.

http://www.proquip.com.au/ProductPages/Funnels/Mr%20Funnel.pdf

http://www.proquip.com.au/ProductPages/Funnels/MrFunnel.html

http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Funnel-Fuel-Filter-F3C/dp/B000SOIRCG

Cant see myself carrying that funnel along on a adventure week / trip, sorry
But it seems to be the way to go. Collapsable and disposable one might be the way to go...

I would rather carry the smallest funnel then have a break down & have to remove the fuel tank to try & clean the injection system on the side of the road.

No matter how good your inline filter is it won't stop water entering the fuel injection system, you would have to fit a water trap to catch the water. An inline filter is good for the dirt though. It all depends on where you are riding in the world to which method one would use.

I will keep an eye out to see what else is in the market.

I agree - I think a fine gauze or muslin over the filler neck if you're filling up from a Jerrycan (or drum) would be no problem to carry?

xxx

i have a clear in line filter on my ttr its amazing how much gunk ends up in there, you can get marine filters from boat chandlers.

I would have thought the small funnels are light and fairly compact and therefore ideal to take on any trip.

the paper cofee filters do work but it takes time to filter fuel through them.

an old sock over the end of the petrol hose will take out lager particles.

The big + about the funnels I mentioned they separate water from fuel.

The Man
 

Kev - u are the man.

Thanks for all your replies guys!

Following your advice we decided against fitting an inline filter. Currently on our trip, and are laid up in Istanbul following a run in with a cab that decided to do a U-turn and knocked the wife off her bike! She's fine, and has nothing that 10 days rest won't heal. The XT is remarkably well too, all things considered. Haven't got anything for the fuel yet but we're now at the edge of where the quality starts to drop so will probably opt for some muslin/gauze as unless Kev discovers some ultra compact and reusable funnel, it's the most compact thing i can think of.
Will put some photos up soon on the trip section but rather shamefully, i don't seem to have an xt660.com decal on the bikes (have linked to your site on ours though! motoventurers.com)

sorry!

Glad you're enjoying your trip, even if it is ful of drama already!

As a thought, how about using paper coffee filters - the cone shaped ones - you could put one in the filler neck every time you fill up, then just throw it away? it would certainly catch any sediment, although I imagine it might take longer to fill/filter through?

J x

For our RTW trip we have a funnel as mentioned by Kev above. Only plan to use it when things look iffy.

Shame you couldn't get into Iran - Hope we get a result when we apply.

Did you apply through an agent in Iran? We've been told that's the way to do it.

Check out our close friend Adam's blog theshortwayround.co.uk
Good info that applies to your route after the stans

Paul and Angie

I bought a funnel made by Mr Funnel (funny about that...). It has an upright filter in the centre of the funnel, and a recess below that to trap water. I won't be taking any chances with dirty fuel when travelling remoter areas.

I've been very lucky (careful?) with fuel so far, and not pour the dregs of any container into any bike tank. But there's always a first time. I think most big city servos are ok, so will continue to take the chance in metro areas.
The funnel is a bit bulky but very light. Small price to pay, I reckon.

How much did you pay for the funnel?

It was the small one and it was �16, It is expensive but it does work and i didn't want to mess with the fuel system.

I also got the Mr Funnel , as recommende by Kev, for our future African adventure. The funny thing is, the only time I got bad fuel, was in Morocco, at the most modern filling station of the country 'Afriquoi', so I will be using it every time, not just when we fill up out of bottles. The bad fuel caused surging and stuttering for over 1000 km.

in case anyone reads this and needs to see one here's a reference photo

http://dmh65.smugmug.com/photos/i-sK...sKPv4Z3-XL.jpg

There is a filter in there. If you pull the pump out, and then split it into the two parts (pump and mounting plate), you will see something that looks like a teabag on the end of the pump.

Not sure it can be removed, although if it were blocked up I'm sure you'd be able to rinse some of the muck off the outside.. And yes, the fuel pump itself is horribly expensive.

Listen u can get dirty fuel from ANY filling station even here in so called civilised Europe. One mate recently filled his BMW car with diesel and it then ground to a halt about 50km later. He then paid about 4500 Euro to fix the problem which was caused by EITHER water or dirt in the fuel. Motto: careful where u buy the fuel and use precautions and PAY BY CREDIT CARD so you can prove where and when u bought the fuel. U can then sue the petrol station and they in turn sue the petrol company, but usually you WILL get compensation if it can be proved that the problem was caused by the fuel. Take care!!!

I changed my 990 SMR intank fuel filters 2 weeks ago because they were blocked, the bike would not rev over 6000rpm, I only use the best fuels so you can get dirty fuel anywhere. My bike is 10 months old.

Not sure about the Xt660's but was told the Yamaha FJR1300 fuel pump runs backwards momentarily at start up to flush the fuel pump filter before starting.

Just use one of these

http://www.profill-australia.com/e-store/HOME.html

:Knitting_22PFUP:

A quick fix is using a ladies stocking (don't ask) over the tank opening. Nice and easy