Fuel Filter issue

[koko64]

I recently cleaned out a fuel filter on my carbed M900. It's the type with a metal body and washable thick bronze element inside. Even after cleaning it thoroughly with carb cleaner it would not pass any fuel or water for that matter. I tested the filter with a hose and funnel above it and even with direct gravity assistance it barely passed a drop. The same result with tap water pressure. The filter flowed freely when new with the same test.

There was nothing that could be visually identified. The clean looking element no longer passed gas. Maybe a fuel  additive caused this. I had flushed the filter with carb cleaner and water, and blasted it with air. It sparkled clean, but imperceptably to the eye was sealed shut.

DP has mentioned these type of filters in passing on another thread quite a while back and that they may have an insufficient flow rate. This particular type flowed well when new but is well sealed up now!

The filter was by Speco brand (had the appearance similar to a Pingle filter) which can screw apart to reveal the bronze element for cleaning. I can't remember what element Pingle use. Maybe the element medium is just too fine and once clogged is throw away.

I have changed filters to the plastic bodied wire mesh type that you can see through. It doesn't filter as well as paper but it's small and easy to visually examine.

By the way, don't let something like this (or a dodgy fuel pump for that matter) mislead your jetting process.

Cheers.

[battlecry]

Thanks for the tip koko.  I have similar filters on my Vespa and Yamaha, I'll keep an eye out for that. 

Speco makes a replacement element:

http://www.speco.com.au/accfuel.html