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Inline fuel filter

  • Thread starter Thread starter mixongw
  • Start date Start date
M

mixongw

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Will a lawn mower type fuel filter (clear plastic) have enough flow for a GS1100GL?
 
Hard to say, only one way to find out. I use one of the clear automotive type with the replaceable mesh filter elements. Don't try using the type with the brass elements. They are made to be used with a fuel pump and it's highly doubtful it will flow enough.
 
I had one on my bike when I bought it and had serious flow issues/fuel starvation problems. I pulled it and replaced it with an Emgo inline and that fixed me right up.
 
Small filters with the brass element work on small bikes like mone but do not feed the liter bikes. I see filters at home Depot for lawn mowers that are big and cheap enough.
 
From the sources I have read on filters, dont use one on a gravity flow system, most say they cause more problems then they solve, i live in a high dust area, and have never used one in 25 years and no problems here. Carbs have only been off 4 times in those years for regular maintenance.
 
I have the same one as TEX on my 1166 and i never have trouble even if i give it full throttle. I will always vote for the clear one with replacable filter element
 
My 750 has a clear one with the screen element, has had it since I got the bike. It absolutely does not have a fuel flow deficiency. Yes it does pick up stuff, not a whole lot, but stuff does find it's way there.
 
fuel filter

fuel filter

i put one on my 650, granted it's not the same ballpark, but i had no problems. i walked into an auto parts store and said, "give me the biggest see-through filter that fits this." it was the "fiber-type?" not removable element. anyways, i also picked up a little new hose with the filter. WARNING: new hoses shed rubber!, so clean them well (maybe flush them or something). i had to open my carbs again because of float problems, and the bottoms were filled with rubber. that could've destroyed my nice freshly rebuilt carbs. be warned
 
Your 1100 comes stock with 5 inline filters. Not a need for any more IMHO.
 
mixongw said:
Jethro said:
Your 1100 comes stock with 5 inline filters. Not a need for any more IMHO.
Click to expand...
Where?
Click to expand...


There is a screen filter on the petcock going into the tank and then a screen filter on each carb. That is what Jethro is referring to I believe.

I use inline filters because I have VM carbs and only have the one in the tank. And despite how good it may look I get crap in my carbs if I don't use an inline. On carbs like yours/Jethro's, I don't know.
 
I have a rusty tank and don't want to take any chances. When I got the bike, the gas that drained out of the bowls looked like strong coffee.
 
There are small screens on each of the float valve seats. They are only about 1/4" in diameter though so they won't handle much debris.
 
YOu could run a filter for a few tanks while you clean out the tank. Change the filter after 5 or 6 tanks for a clear one that allows you to inspect it. If you don't see any serious debris after a while remove the filter for what it's worth.

I had some fine rust get into my needle valves and cause me to have carbs overflowing at red lights. Those screens in the petcock and inlet valves don't filter that out. Paper filters do a better job but do not flow well. Choose a large filter like the EMGO Hoomgar has ( I am sure he can post a picture) and you should be OK. Even coated tanks can be contaminated by dirty gas at the pump. Even at 3.00 a gallon you take a chance on getting end run or bottom of the tank stuff.

Hoomgars 1000 does NOT starve for gas, we can tell you that. :P
 
There was another thread like this not long ago... with an equal number of pros and cons regarding in-line filters. One of the cons was that you could get a vapor lock and that would cause big problems.

What this beginner is wondering is:
Can I get some definitions of what a vapor lock is?

How does it happen with a fuel filter and why??

Is there a particular way you could install a f.f. and not get a vapor lock??

Thanks
 
mixongw said:
I have a rusty tank
Click to expand...
I just know this is a stupid suggestion, but wouldn't it make sense to do something about that rather than looking to a filter to patch the problem with ?

Pete
 
All I can say is I have been using inline fuel filters on both dirt and street bikes for well over 28 years if we count the dirt bikes and I have never had one of the problems described. I am not saying others have not or that it can't happen but I am telling you I have never seen it. I also know countless dozens of others with the same experience. I sincerely doubt that you are going to have any issues running an inline fuel filter on these bikes. But anything is always possible.

I simply install the inline fuel filter.... inline. And it works. No magic or special technique.

Here is the one I used on my current GS1000. Paper element, very large for lots of flow, made for street bikes (actually a Gold Wing filter) and it works great. I discourage using an inline filter that has replaceable elements on a bike. It is a leaking point of failure that can vibrate loose that your adding and when I am sitting directly on top of that leak I prefer to reduce the chances. Get one like this, replace it every year to every other year, ride and be happy. It just works.

Recommended type of filter:

http://www.cyclepages.com/ProductGroupDisp.aspx?ProductGroupID=4001290
pg4001290.jpg


or this one may work well:
http://www.cyclepages.com/ProductGroupDisp.aspx?ProductGroupID=4001294
pg4001294.jpg



Yes they are plastic and no they will not melt. They are made for exactly this type of application.
 
Pete Logan said:
mixongw said:
I have a rusty tank
Click to expand...
I just know this is a stupid suggestion, but wouldn't it make sense to do something about that rather than looking to a filter to patch the problem with ?

Pete
Click to expand...
Inline filters are cheaper than gas tanks.
 
Vapor lock is caused by gasoline evaporating under heat and building up a pressure that keeps fuel from flowing. If the filter has a air pocket gas vapor can build up pressure and cut off fuel. Not a big problem in the Winter. The gas is reformulated to handle summer heat and reformulated to vaporize easier in the winter. Right now our lovely refineries are changing over to winter gas, and that is how they justify jacking the price 25 cents a gallon for a week or so.
 
I'll chime in again as I am firmly on the "con" side of using inline filters.

I had one on my 81 model and it caused me serious greif. I spent countless hours trying to solve a problem I couldn't find. I'll save you the entire sob story and details, but suffice it to say the problem was 100% the inline filters' fault. The filter cost me dearly- close to $600.

In my opinion, if you have a rusty tank, you need to fix it. A filter is not going to save your engine from steel tainted gas. The '80 and up 1100's all come with CV carbs, and there is a small screen filter on each float bowl needle jet. The petcock also has a very fine screen type filter. These filters will stop anything big from getting in the system.

When you buy gas, the biggest problem you are going to have with the stock is excess mositure. A fuel filter won't help there. You won't get grit in

Basically, I haven't had a problem with not running a fuel filter, but I have had a problem with running one. That's where I get a sour taste in my mouth with them.
 
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