Changing the intank fuel filter

[greenbarn]

Unless the parts are really cheap, it might pay do have it professionally diagnosed, rather than guess, if you don't have enough equipment to properly diagnose.  I run into this a lot on cars - someone brings me a car where they tried 4 different parts and it "STILL WON'T START", then after an hour or less in diagnostic time, we might find something cheap to fix, and they've already blown more money replacing good parts than it costs to fix it. 

[frymoyer14]

Well it seems like the digital numbers came back on, but its stuck on the clock and I can not change it to the odometer or trip meter. Plus the fuel gauge and speedometer is still not working. Not sure what is up, the only thing I can think of is maybe some water splashed into the meter while I was cleaning out the tank.

I'm not sure what direction to go, if I should order a new electrical board in the meter or just wait to see if anything changes. It just doesn't seem anything is gonna change since its been a few days now.

[greenbarn]

I often wonder, How do they ship them? I mean we all know what "This side up on a package" does

Yea, that doesn't really make much sense.  'course, a lot of stuff that is made "poorly" doesn't make sense.

So what do you do when you have to turn the bike upside down to dump all the fuel out to store it for winter?   

[griz01]

I always thought that the warning in the service manual about keeping the speedo assy. sitting face up when it's not installed was a CYA...but maybe not. I'll look for some trouble shooting info on the gauge cluster...

I often wonder, How do they ship them? I mean we all know what "This side up on a package" does

[Troll]

I always thought that the warning in the service manual about keeping the speedo assy. sitting face up when it's not installed was a CYA...but maybe not. I'll look for some trouble shooting info on the gauge cluster...

[frymoyer14]

Ok, so I got the new fuel pump in and new filter in, got the tank clean, and all in all got everything running. The ONLY problem I'm having now is when I plugged in my instrument cluster it acted crazy and now the speedometer is stuck pointing toward the rear of the bike and the gas gauge is stuck at empty even with a full tank of gas. All the lights seem to be working ok on the cluster. Ohh and the mileage digital gauge is not working. It worked when I took the tank off but now when I plugged it back in it went crazy. Any help on this issue would be  greatly appreciated.

[Troll]

The fuel pressure regulator on the throttle body is set to 45 psi....or something like that. I know I read it in the service manual, but do you think I could find it when I'm looking?

[frymoyer14]

That link is for the FI vulcans. All after 2001 are the same parts, until as the article states, they changed to a mesh screen.

I appreciate you pointing that out to me. I guess I'm just concerned cause the aftermarket pump I bought as an operating pressure of 15-90 psi and when I look up that filter it says the burst level is at 60 psi. So I just don't want that filter to burst in my tank.

[DC]

Dodge, in their infinite wisdom() put the fuel filter in the tank on their trucks...ya wanna talk about a PITA?

Same thing with my truck, although I haven't replaced it yet.  A local shop told me it would be mucho rubles.

[Troll]

That link is for the FI vulcans. All after 2001 are the same parts, until as the article states, they changed to a mesh screen.

[frymoyer14]

Besides changing ALL the fluids, AND the TIRES AND TUBES AND RIM STRIPS, you will need to lube the steering head bearings. If you see ANY marking on the races, you will need to replace the bearings, as well. While you have the front end apart for the neck bearing pack, dump out all the old fish oil in the fork legs...This is the one place almost nobody ever goes. When you are changing the engine oil, warm the engine up a little and then drain it through the oil pump pick up and pull the screen...clean it! Now, back to the fuel filter: http://www.gadgetjq.com/ff_replacement.htm

On that link you gave me, that seems to be only for the classics and nomads that are not fuel injected. I wanna make sure that whatever fuel filter I replace the original with actually can withstand the pressure that is required for the injection system.

[Troll]

Why did they put the fuel filter in the fuel tank?  Doesn't seem like the best place.

When I change my oil in any vehicle, after the old oil drains, I always pour a little fresh oil in with the drain open to try to flush out any residues or particulates on the bottom of the pan.  And yes, I had the screen pulled when I did it.

For convenience sake, no. For less complication and the possibility of fewer fuel leaks, yes. Most people will never ride the bike far enough to need a fuel filter replacement..I replaced mine in 2010, and so far have 35,000 miles on the new one. I suspect, if I don't have any issues relating to the fuel filter, I'll change it again at 100,000 miles (about another 19,000 from now). The older (J) models had a smaller tank, and the filter was outside, due to necessity. The R models have a larger tank, and the filter is moved inside. Dodge, in their infinite wisdom() put the fuel filter in the tank on their trucks...ya wanna talk about a PITA?

[CDNRatMan]

    When I bought mine and not knowing when the last oil change was done, I added sea foam, (2 glugs like GreenBarn said), went for a ride, waited for it to cool down to handle and drained the oil. Added some cheap stuff, went for a short run, drained it and then added my synthetic with new filter. Mine was also missing the screen and those parts so they were ordered and will be installed this winter.

[DC]

Why did they put the fuel filter in the fuel tank?  Doesn't seem like the best place.

When I change my oil in any vehicle, after the old oil drains, I always pour a little fresh oil in with the drain open to try to flush out any residues or particulates on the bottom of the pan.  And yes, I had the screen pulled when I did it.

[Troll]

Besides changing ALL the fluids, AND the TIRES AND TUBES AND RIM STRIPS, you will need to lube the steering head bearings. If you see ANY marking on the races, you will need to replace the bearings, as well. While you have the front end apart for the neck bearing pack, dump out all the old fish oil in the fork legs...This is the one place almost nobody ever goes. When you are changing the engine oil, warm the engine up a little and then drain it through the oil pump pick up and pull the screen...clean it! Now, back to the fuel filter: http://www.gadgetjq.com/ff_replacement.htm

[frymoyer14]

I just bought a 2002 drifter 1500 that's been sitting up for 10 years. I got the tank off and took the fuel pump off. I was looking to buy a new fuel pump but they are over $500 so I priced just the little pump itself which is much cheaper. But I would also need to put a new in-line filter on as well. My question is can I buy a regular aluminum case in-line fuel filter and put that back inside the tank where the old one was? Any help regarding this issue would be great, or even advice on other must do's to this bike that's been sitting for a while.