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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Fuel Filter
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Message started by savageKenny on 02/02/16 at 18:19:29

Title: Fuel Filter
Post by savageKenny on 02/02/16 at 18:19:29

Howdy 'erbody!

I'm new to the forum, and I figured I'd start off on the wrong foot by asking some dumb questions. First I want to thank all the good people that make this forum what it is. I spent a fair bit of time creeping on here before buying my S40 last year. I took a bit of a hiatus over the Spring, Summer, and Fall (busy riding), and then I started creeping again. I can't say enough how awesome a resource this forum has become.

I have an almost brand new bike, and I'm already having petcock issues. I'll be installing a Raptor 660 once the weather warms up a bit.

Is it worth looking at installing some form of in-line fuel filter while I'm at it, or is this just over cautious?

Title: Re: Fuel Filter
Post by Kris01 on 02/02/16 at 18:44:37

Just keep the tank filled with quality fuel so it doesn't rust. They usually rust when they sit "less than full" for a while. You won't need a filter. They been known to cause problems anyway.

Title: Re: Fuel Filter
Post by Dave on 02/03/16 at 01:54:23

The gravity system on the Savage does not provide very much incentive for the fuel to flow.....the fuel barely is capable of providing 1 psi down at the carb with a full tank, and the position where the fuel filter would be has a tiny amount of pressure available as the fuel level gets lower in the tank. The plastic nipples on the fuel filters have very slender (small dia. and long) openings, and it is very easy for air to become trapped in those areas and it creates a blockage that won't allow the fuel to flow through. Several member has installed the fuel filter, and ended up with running problems that they had some difficulty tracking down.

If your tank is clean, there is little need for a fuel filter. The petcock has screens, and the carb has a filter just above the petcock. Fuel stations have filter in the pumps.....the chances of you filtering out something that the petcock screen and carb filter won't catch is not likely.

Here is a link to the topic discussion in the Tech Section......some have had success, and others have not.
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1211846392

Title: Re: Fuel Filter
Post by savageKenny on 02/03/16 at 17:33:13

'Preciate your time, gentlemen. I will heed your advice.

Title: Re: Fuel Filter
Post by stewmills on 02/04/16 at 06:18:33

+1. Tried to add a fuel filter to an older, small ATV for good measure and it was more trouble than it was worth. Kept getting an air lock in the filter severely impeding the fuel flow.

Title: Re: Fuel Filter
Post by Art Webb on 02/04/16 at 07:37:16

I've had both good and bad luck with fuel filters on bikes, I suspect the design of the fuel system has a lot to do with it
on the Ninja 500, FF good
on the rebel, FF ok but sensitive to placement
never even tried on the S40, no rust in tank

Title: Re: Fuel Filter
Post by Kris01 on 02/04/16 at 12:26:36

If I'm not mistaken, fuel injected bikes HAVE TO HAVE a fuel pump. You could probably use a filter on them.

Bikes with gravity fed fuel...it ain't gonna work. ;)

Title: Re: Fuel Filter
Post by Serowbot on 02/04/16 at 15:35:18

Phhhfft!... filters are for wimps!... the bike needs a little somthin' crunchy once in while...
;D...

Title: Re: Fuel Filter
Post by Art Webb on 02/04/16 at 19:40:14

1F263D276465540 wrote:

If I'm not mistaken, fuel injected bikes HAVE TO HAVE a fuel pump. You could probably use a filter on them.

Bikes with gravity fed fuel...it ain't gonna work. ;)

Mmm, all the bikes I mentioned are gravity feed, carburetted fuel systems
some worked well with filters, some didn't
the S40, from all reports, doesn't, but on the Ninja 500, it worked very well

The injected bikes i believe have a filter from the factory, they sort of have to, with those bitty little holes for fuel to go through i think

Title: Re: Fuel Filter
Post by thumperclone on 02/04/16 at 21:30:30

ive had a filter on my 06 since the first week no problems
and one on thumperclone (86cc) since 04 no problems

Title: Re: Fuel Filter
Post by Art Webb on 02/05/16 at 07:58:18

425E435B465344555A595853360 wrote:

ive had a filter on my 06 since the first week no problems
and one on thumperclone (86cc) since 04 no problems

Viola

Title: Re: Fuel Filter
Post by Kruzader on 02/17/16 at 22:09:49

How can you tell when you start having Petcock issues? I have an older bike with more miles and it still has the same petcock in it....I'm not sure if is something I should do right away or maybe wait about a month.

Title: Re: Fuel Filter
Post by verslagen1 on 02/17/16 at 22:33:04

there's a test your petcock thread in the tech section index.

Title: Re: Fuel Filter
Post by Dave on 02/18/16 at 03:32:01

635A5D52494C4D5A280 wrote:

When the petcock diaphragm begins to fail....it can have very weird symptoms, and often has folks looking at other issues to solve them. Sometimes the bike stops running when the tank is still half full, sometimes the fuel flows down the vacuum line and fills the crankcase and/or airbox with gasoline....or makes the bike run too rich.

If you remove your vacuum line to the petcock and find any fuel in there....the diaphragm is leaking.

If you are out riding and the petcock fails. Disconnect the vacuum line, plug the nipple on the carb and shove a golf tee i the vacuum line, and turn the petcock to PRIME and the bike will run again. (Put a vacuum cap and golf tee in your tool kit).

Read this stuff:
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1366651397