fuel lines

[dan miller]

This stuff is probably "yesterday's news" for most of you, but I'll share a couple things I've learned over the past week or so on the off chance that there are others as clueless as me hanging out here.

My M900ie died a couple of weeks ago.  Investigation revealed that ALL the rubber lines in the fuel tank were dead.  The fuel lines (both sides of the filter) looked like a tree branch that had gone through a fire. The vent lines were hard and cracked.  Apparently, the debris in the tank plugged the filter, and the filter inlet hose burst.

I washed out the tank, and the proceeds included about two tablespoons of rubber bits and pieces. 

I purchased a 12" piece of immersion fuel line at NAPA ($22), and a NAPA #3032 fuel filter.  Seems to fit nicely.  Apparently, "regular" fuel line is fuel proof on the inside, but not on the outside.  Immersion fuel line is fuel proof inside and out.

The fuel level light was (heck, maybe it will still be) inoperative.  I removed the unit, popped out the the rubber end cap, and determined that the float was stuck.  I fussed with it for about 20 minutes, washing it in soapy water and gently blowing it up/down with compressed air.  It now moves up/down very freely.  Hopefully it will work now.

I had trouble getting the fuel pump sleeve into the clips.  I applied some oil, and it slipped right in.  The fuel should wash off the oil.

I purchased some Tigon fuel line for the vent lines, both inside the tank and outside.

Danny

[battlecry]

Thanks, Danny. 

Do you know by chance if the old lines were OEM or were replaced at some point?

[dan miller]

Hello battle

I'm confident that they were all OEM.  I purchased the bike from a friend, John Beck - Pro Machine Dyno Service, several months ago.  It's a model year 2000 that he purchased new and rode 4123 miles.  He told me that the only service done was an oil change (that he personally performed) at around 1000 miles.  We'll be on his dyno this morning and I'll confirm.

There is one thing that makes me a little suspicious.  There are two hoses attached to the fuel filter, a short one on the fuel pump end and a longer on the tank end.  They appeared to be different, with the fuel pump end being a smaller diameter.  However, it had an external braid, and may have been the same line with the outside entirely rotted off.  However, however, there was only one hose clamp on it (the manual shows two), and the end with a clamp was tight, which would not have been the case if the outer rubber layer had rotted off. 

It's a mystery.  lol

Danny

[Howie]

SAE 30R10 resists gasoline and E10, but will eventually fail.  11 years is a long time.

[dan miller]

Oh, yeah, 11 years is a long time. 

I purchased the bike and got current with all the maintenance, save for the fuel filter, which was to be next.  As it turns out, it was next. lol

I spoke with John (original owner) yesterday, and he confirmed that zero maintenance had been done to the bike, other than an oil change at around 1000 miles.

You guys should have told me how much fun it is to change the filter and fuel lines!  Been on it all day.  Of course, it's a very amateur effort.  The filter and fuel lines went quickly, but large mitts are a hindrance inside a Ducati fuel tank.

I had the most "fun" with the fuel fill assembly.  Couldn't get the assembly to go into the tank due to the gasket that fits above the "O" ring.  I finally installed the flange without the gasket, loosened up the grub screws enough to "rock" the flange, greased everything up, and inserted the gasket from the top.  Two hour ordeal. 

I have one more fuel line to hook up, and then should be done.  Turned on the key, and the low fuel light did not illuminate.  Darn - figured I had it fixed.

Danny

[Speeddog]

The fuel level sensors take 20 or 30 seconds to respond.
They electronically delay so that they don't flick on and off when the level gets close to the 'switch' point.