Clogged fuel filter?

[Guest human4m]

I sure hope it's just a fuel filter, or a clogged line, but here's the issue...

 

7:30am Yesterday morning, on the way to work, I started running out of gas, and felt the usual lack of power. Switched to reserve, and all was well. I wish I had known my low-fuel light didn't work. Stopped & got a full tank at a known-good station (where I fill up the cage every week) and continued another 20 miles to work.

 

4:30pm I get off work, hop on the bike, start it up, wait about 2 mins for it to warm up, and hit the road... Firing on 2 cylinders. I'll tell ya', this fat V-4 ran like a Honda Rebel 250 with a fat girl on the back. Couldn't break 50mph! It seems like the 2 cylinders on the left side of the motor are maybe starving for gas? They seem to run when I'm idling (pipes getting hot at the same time) but when I twist the throttle more than 1/2 inch the dang thing stops running on the left side... Pop here, pop there... Plugs are good, and they are firing, so I'm pretty sure it's a fuel delivery issue. My oil doesn't smell like gas either.

 

So, not to sound like a complete mechanical idiot, but I have a few questions

 

1) Where is the fuel filter on a 97 Royal Star?

2) I've taken the tank off before, and only remember 4 bolts (2 near saddle, 1 on each side near forks) Am I forgetting something?

3) After I replace the fuel filter, and verify fuel lines are clear, who wants to come clean my carbs???

Edited February 24, 2010 by human4m

[Eck]

might want to also check your coils............

[Guest human4m]

might want to also check your coils............

 

I figured since the plugs are firing solid, the coils are good.

 

Not to mention I accidently did the "Ouch $#!+&*^%!@#" test, and they're puttin off some jolt.

[Kregerdoodle]

may want to check fuel pump as well.....

[Guest human4m]

may want to check fuel pump as well.....

 

 

Fuel pump sounds fine, and it's getting fuel to the right side of the engine. Can anyone tell me where the fuel filter is, and I'll check the pump when I find it too.

 

Maybe someone can point me to where I might find the service manual pretty cheap?

 

***Scratch that, I found it in the forums! Jeez this place is great!

[Cougar]

Mine did the same thing... this thing your working on is going to turn out to be somthing so darn simple I bet.

It will drive you and us all crazy for a while but your gunna fix it.

Yep, those coils will fire right until warmed up.

[RandyR]

the fuel filter on the early Tours are the same as the newer ones. So the PDF maintenance guide posted here on the forum for the Ventures will apply.

 

You have to remove the tankand both side covers and inner cover, and then the fuel pump and then the filter is underneath.

 

Many people relocate it with an aftermarket type filter.

 

But since there is only 1 filter for all 4 carbs, a dirty fuel filter would affect all 4 cylinders.

[Guest human4m]

I'm going to give it a good 3-4 hours of run through tonight, checking the fuel lines to the carbs, the plugs, fuel filter, coils, fuel pump, and then the bike hits eBay.

 

I'm very impatient with problematic toys.

[Squidley]

If you believe that your fuel filter is or was clogged then make sure that you drain your carb bowls to get any sediment out of them.

[Guest human4m]

If you believe that your fuel filter is or was clogged then make sure that you drain your carb bowls to get any sediment out of them.

 

 

Which screws on the carbs are the drain holes?

[Squidley]

Patrick,

I know there are some pics here on the site, look in the search bar and type in carb drains.

Here's what I came up with just now and I know there are other pics on the site

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=29559&highlight=carb+bowls

[Eck]

I figured since the plugs are firing solid, the coils are good.

 

Not to mention I accidently did the "Ouch $#!+&*^%!@#" test, and they're puttin off some jolt.

 

 

 

My bad.....

I didn't read your posting clearly (sorry), and missed "the plugs are firing solid".

On my 05 RSV, I only had to remove the left side cover, the center cover fuel pump (while still mounted to the fuel pump bracket), and I was able to get right to the fuel filter.

 

[StarFan]

No need to take the tank off for changing the fuel filter. I changed mine this winter on my 1998 tour Classic and took me about 20 minutes. I did though remove the battery to get good access at every angle - and the side cover of cause. Begin with the fuel filter and see if that does the trick. No need to remove the tank if the filter is causing the trouble. Logic tells me though that if it was so severly clogged then the bike would not shut off only the two cylinders - the other two should suffer as well. Check if your fuel lines are crumpled together or squeezed somewhere. I am sure this is not a big issue/problem and no need to get frustrated. Wish you luck,,,,,,

[Guest human4m]

My new Nat'l Cycle Switchblade windshield came in last night... Got sidetracked, and did very limited troubleshooting.

 

Now it won't stay running more than 10-15 seconds. All 4 are firing (all pipes are getting hot)

 

Just got back from Craven County Motorsports.

 

Round 1: Flush tank (and find out why my low fuel light doesn't work) Verify fuel lines are clear, change Fuel Filter & Plugs.

[Eck]

Sounds like it is getting fuel after it sits for a little while..but it sounds like the fuel pump to me since it only runs for a few minutes/ seconds..

 

Please note that my RSV did the same thing, and I found out it was the fuel pump..

My fuel pump "clicked" when key was turned on, but it wasn't pumping fuel..it would run for a little bit after sitting for a while, but then it would "run out of gas..because the pump stopped pumping.

Had the fuel pump changed under warranty and never had another issue with it

To check the fuel pump, you can remove the left side cover, remove the fuel pump from it's mounting bracket, look at it to locate the "out" going side and then hook a hose to it and run that hose into a container..then turn the key on and see if it continues to pump fuel...

Caution first: make sure pump is grounded before turning on key..

(or be ready for a BOOM....).

 

Other thoughts:

A vacuum line off somewhere or leaking.

Something didnt crawl up in it and block the air...(squirrel maybe)...

 

[Guest human4m]

So, I drained the tank, and the fuel that came out... Perfectly clean. No water, not even a grain of imperfection. Thinking 'That's IMPOSSIBLE!' I pull the fuel filter, and cut the bad boy in half... Clean as a whistle. Errr...

 

It got too cold outside for me to continue on, but I fear it's the fuel pump at this point, since I can't even get the bike to stay running at all.

 

Tomorrow I'm going to route the fuel line from the tank straight to the carbs and test that theory. If it still runs like crap, I'm done with it. I'm not savvy enough to mess with the carbs.

 

Called the stealership, and the pump is $300. I was offered a discount price of $200, since it's the 2nd bike I've bought from there. Not a chance.

 

SO- If someone could point me in the direction of the thread where it using a universal fuel pump from AZ or Advance comes in to play? Hopefully there's installation tips in there...

[Guest human4m]

So I verified it's not the fuel pump, not the plugs, not the fuel filter, and I ran out of ideas.

 

I went to Britt Motorsports (where I originally bought it) and they're going to fix it free of charge since it took over a month just to get my windshield order right.

 

Hopefully it's a coil or something, and it won't take long to fix!

[Guest human4m]

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!

 

The stealership called, and accused me of running bad gas in the bike, as it gelled up in the bowls... It's funny, because it's the gas THEY put in it! Tried to charge me $180 for their screw-up!

 

Phone call to the guy who owns the place, and now I can pick the bike up tomorrow, on the house.

[Cougar]

Now that is one for the books! GLAD to hear it's ALL good now!