Empty inline fuel filter?????

Was checking over bike today after riding about 60mi on Sunday, noticed the inline fuel filter is empty. I think I already know the answer but need you guys to confirm, is it due to float valve not seating? If so, how do I identify which carb is the leaker? Thanks in advance
Gregg

 

you are probably right. I found my leaker by putting the carbs on the bench and seeing which overflowed. Not sure if there is a good way to tell with them on the bike.

 

Thanks Bill, somehow I new that is what someone would say. I was hoping to not have to pull the rack again, but it looks like one more time, unless somebody has a better idea.

 

Bill, did you use gas or something else when you checked yours on the bench? And, if not gas, what did you use?

 

Hi Gregg, can you smell gas in the oil?
It could be that the filter in the tank is partially blocked, check these items before you pull the rack.

 

Hey Wiz, it is hard to tell on the smell, it is very faint if at all. As far as the in tank filter, it should be alright as I clean/derusted & sealed the inside of tank during resoration of this baby. When I rode it on Saturday, I ran her out of gas, turned it to prime, gas flowed into filter, switch to Res & fired it right up, so, I don't feel like it is the filter in tank. Any opinion?

 

Gregg, so you are saying the in-line filter is empty because the fuel is flowing right through it ?
then the fuel tank must be empty & the sump full.
It can have some nasty ramifications, running your tank dry.

 

Tank is not empty Wiz, I neglected to say I filled her up after puting in Res. Tank does have fuel in it. You got me wondering, so I switched it to Pri & gas filled the fuel filter, so no issue there.

 

The vacuum part of your petcock is not working, test it by removing the vac' line from the carb boot, sucking on it, it should make the fuel flow but you should not taste gas.

 

Sounds to me like the petcock is working properly and seating when off.

Greg, Your thinking that one or more float valves are not seating and draining that fuel from the filter leaving it empty until you either put it on PRI or start it up and the vac opens the petcock valve to refill the fuel filter?

 

I follow your thinking, but the filter should still have fuel in it, unless the petcock is shutting off then the fuel is leaking from the carb bowls.

 

I know when my bike sits for awhile the gas will evaporate out of the carbs and show an empty filter. If your bike is parked in a hot area this could happen to you.

 

Don't assume gas in the oil; check the level before every ride; if it suddenly gains volume...

Think about this: When the bike is running, the floats are doing their job, floating, but on the gas actually in the bowls so the float valves are open, the gas is being drawn into the motor and then... you shut it off, the petcock closes. All 4 carbs' float bowls then finish filling and the floats shut them off.

Was the amount of gas required to "top off" all 4 float bowls (until the floats hit "top" and stopped flow) enough to drain the inline fuel filter?

You might just be observing normal behavior.

 

Wiz, the fuel filter went empty after sitting approx 24 hrs. bike not running. I don't believe it is a fuel valve issue.

RP, you are correct. As mentioned earlier in this t hread I check by switching to Pri, gas filled filter 1/2 full & I shut off, gas level did not increase after shutoff. Tend to make me think float valve, what do you think?

Lostboy, no hot area, in my garage high Sunday of 65F & low Sunday night of 35F. I don't think it evap'd but who knows. It sat for 24 hrs. approx when I found the filter empty.

 

Fitz, never thought of that, question is how long does it take for that instance you speak of to occur. Should it happen end 10 to 30 min. or is it a longer period of time?

 

I'm thinking in order for the fuel filter to empty, you have to let air in somewhere. You might have a loose fuel line on the petcock or fuel filter.

 

RP, I have checked for that & can not fine a visible leak any where on the fuel line.

 

All, I check the fuel filter before I left for work, is still showing half full as it was when I switched it from Pri to On. So, Fitz you maybe right, it may just be filling the bowls after shut off. I hope so. I did the sniff test for gas in crank case but if there is any it is very light if any at all. Hard to tell if from carbs or crank case. I appreciate all your comments/suggestions.
Will check filter in morning after I get off work.
Gregg

 

Hi Gregg sorry was working on my bike last evening. I use Gas on the bench but others use mineral spirits. My filter has gas in it unless sitting a while (week or so) as the gas does evaporate as mentioned. You could have a balky valve that leaks sometimes. IMHO your filter should not have emptied over night and unless you killed it at higher than idle before parking I think the bowls would have refilled.

You will always have a slight gas smell in the oil if you have a leak it will be a strong smell.

 

Morning Bill & thanks for the info. I did check my fuel filter this morning & it is still half full just like it was last night. I am thinking Fitz may have been correct on the bowls refilling. In my situation, the smell of gas in the crank case is very slight not strong at all, so I tend to think I do not have a stuck float/valve leaking. The bike has not been started or moved since I parked it Sunday. I believe I may have over reacted on the empty filter but if you don't ask, you don't find out.
Thanks
Gregg

 

Yea I agree - Half full is right about what I see on mine. It will empty over time but should not overnight.

I fought gas in the oil last summer - not fun and you get paranoid about it.

 

Tell me about it. My '81 has a known "lazy" petcock (have to use PRI sometimes) and I'm constantly worried it's gonna pull an episode on me. (it's getting replaced before the season starts back up.)

Easiest peace of mind comes from checking the oil before every ride.

 

Gregg has invented a new word: Bikeochondriac. :lol:

 

Yea I have it bad for sure.

 

Bill, you think we could take early retirement at full rate with this disease? It is debilitating, emotional stress, possible twitches, consumes your every thought. I think it should work. Again thanks to you all, for your assistance on this & my many other & future problem resolutions.
Gregg

 

I wish! I'd do it in an instant

Glad to help any way we can.