Added an inline fuel filter

**Cavalier Mom** · 08-14-2010, 07:36 PM

I took the advice given and added an inline fuel filter. Now my bike won't start. What did I forget to do?

**ZepRider** · 08-14-2010, 08:02 PM

Was it a clear (see-through) filter? Is there fuel in there? May be a dumb question but worth asking. Petcock on (open)? Run switch set to run? Ignition on?

Hate to think something got in the line during the install but I would make sure that fuel is flowing properly. Give a shout back if no luck.

**Cavalier Mom** · 08-14-2010, 08:20 PM

Yes, it is a clear plastic filter that I bought from NAPA. My son installed it and when I tuned the petcock on, two drops of fuel went into the filter and no more. The line isn't plugged either. Did I get the wrong type of filter? Should I have purchased the "L" filter instead of the straight one?

**ZepRider** · 08-14-2010, 08:36 PM

Without knowing which filter you purchased (there are a gazillion of them), it is hard to say. I can tell you that most filters are designed to flow fuel in ONE direction so make sure it was not installed backwards in case there is a check valve or something like that in there but I doubt it has such a valve.

You should get more than a one or two _drops_ of fuel.

Typically when I open my petcock, a decent and very visible amount of fuel puddles into the filter.

Installing an in-line filter is not rocket science so I would check the obvious things. Remove the filter and while using something to catch the fuel... see if it flows out of the tank when the petcock is opened. I would be remiss if I did not tell you to use a container designed to hold fuel as it pours out.

If you find that fuel flows out of the tank fine, there may be an obstruction in the fuel line or fuel filter. Perhaps a piece of rubber that got lodged in there during the cut, or a faulty fuel filter.

Best thing to do is make sure fuel flows out of the tank as I stated above, try getting the bike to start without the filter which will confirm that everything with the bike is fine.

If fuel flows nicely out of the tank, and the bike starts without the filter, the filter may be plugged. You can try blowing air through the filter.

Try to avoid ingesting fuel when doing so

**flitecontrol** · 08-14-2010, 08:38 PM

That filter should be fine as long as the fuel lines aren't kinked. Would suggest you disconnect the fuel line going to the filter and see if any fuel comes out. Have a container ready to catch the fuel. Then put the filter back in the line and pull the line going to the carb and see if fuel flows through the filter.

**Cavalier Mom** · 08-14-2010, 08:57 PM

Aha! Thanks for your help! I can see right now that my boy installed the filter backwards. We did all the line testing you suggested, so I will go out and turn the filter around. I will let you know if it works or not..........

**ZepRider** · 08-14-2010, 09:03 PM

My pleasure Ma'am! I'm all about the big picture.

Good luck!

**Cavalier Mom** · 08-14-2010, 09:24 PM

Hummmm.... didn't work. I will look at it again tomorrow. I ran out of time tonight - I have to get going. Thanks again for your help!

**ZepRider** · 08-14-2010, 09:27 PM

If the lines are clear and the fuel will flow, that filter is probably plugged which is not typical of a new filter but can happen in the manufacturing process. You should be able to treat it like a whistle and blow through that filter with no problem. If you cannot, there is your problem.

**Guba** · 08-14-2010, 09:43 PM

I had an issue with fuel not flowing. My problem was from a loop seal. The fuel line was too long and had created a loop that went lower than the carb inlet port. With that condition nothing flows. Keep the fuel line short as in Zeps picture.

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