Failed fuel filter/line question and data collection

[oldbike54]

 OK , so Kev m and I are in  disagreement on how many failed plastic fuel filter or fuel line issues we have seen . Rather than rely on memory , let's have an actual count . I seem to remember more than Kev does . 

 Dusty

[fotoguzzi]

If your talking about the in tank pump where the hoses come off.. all of them, it's not if but when it will happen..and this defect was in production for what 8 years or something?

[oldbike54]

 Sorry Brad , not very clear . Was referring of course to the in tank filter/hose/pump issue . Not aware of any problems with the older external pump models , thought maybe that was obvious .

 Dusty

[Mr Revhead]

My 03 cali had the fuel line pop off in the tank. Although that was an issue with the silly clamps they used. Hose itself was fine

[Tom H]

Since you brought this up. I searched this and couldn't find a good answer, sometimes I can't get good search results. There was a link to a site that had a direct replacement "kit" for all the in tank pump and filter bikes. What was the site and what part???

I'm so far so good with my '04 EVT running gas in California at about 22,000 miles. Maybe I don't even need to worry about this?

Thanks,
Tom

[Kev m]

Sorry Brad , not very clear . Was referring of course to the in tank filter/hose/pump issue . Not aware of any problems with the older external pump models , thought maybe that was obvious .

 Dusty

Dusty let's make sure we're talking about the same thing.

They are not all the same.

As far as I know there is no fuel line issue except for some late Tonti models.

My Breva 1100 lines were fine as I believe were all CARCs, smallblocks (EDIT - except possibly some early Nevadas, not sur about Brevas, never heard of a V7 variant with that), and 1400s.

However some feel the half plastic filters used in those models may or will separate.

I have only seen 3 reports of that including the OP of the recent thread.

[Bill Hagan]

My Norge's plastic filter did the swelling thing.   

Pix somewhere.  Looked kind of funny.  Wasn't, of course, but sure was an odd sight.

Now metal "BMW" ones only.  Obviously, no recurrence.

Bill

[chuck peterson]

07 nevada lines and filter replaced by dealer ahead of failure

[Kev m]

My Norge's plastic filter did the swelling thing.   

Pix somewhere.  Looked kind of funny.  Wasn't, of course, but sure was an odd sight.

Now metal "BMW" ones only.  Obviously, no recurrence.

Bill

So it failed and leaked?

[ohiorider]

My plastic/metal fuel filter on the 2008 1200 Sport was still intact and working when I changed it at 32000+ miles 5 years ago.  However, like Bill Hagan's, the plastic end of mine looked like a little round pumpkin.  Changed it out for an all metal one, since it made no sense to continue doing rides several hundred miles from home with this filter buried in the tank.  Easy enough change once tank was off bike, and after other WG members put me onto inexpensive  tools to crimp the new filter in place (Oetiker clamps.)

I took the problem seriously enough that when I needed to pull the tank on my 2012 8vSE Tenni Griso, I already had a replacement all-metal filter on hand.  The good news ..... by that time, my Griso had come from the factory with an all metal filter (unless Guzzi Steve changed it prior to delivery.)

[Vagrant]

clear as mud!
I thought you meant V7's only.

[Kev m]

My plastic/metal fuel filter on the 2008 1200 Sport was still intact and working when I changed it at 32000+ miles 5 years ago.  However, like Bill Hagan's, the plastic end of mine looked like a little round pumpkin.

See this is why I'm asking and possibly why Dusty (and maybe many WG members) have this distorted view of the "problem" with regards to these filters. Many are confusing failures with fuel lines on late Tontis and/or the appears of a swollen fuel filter as some sort of sign that all filters will fail.

My Breva filter looked a little swollen after 3 years in ethanol, but was still seemingly sturdy.

My Stone filter looked a little swollen after 3+ years in ethanol, so I decided to check it. I blocked one end off and hit it with progressively higher and higher pressure from the air compressor. I stopped trying to make it blow up after it held 120 psi which is what about 3-4x higher than the pressure to which most modern EFI fuel systems are regulated.

So when I say I now have only heard of 3 failures I'm talking about 3 people who say their FILTER separated. And my memory could be wrong on this one since I wasn't specifically paying attention to mileage at the time, but I'm thinking maybe all 3 happened earlier and not later in usage. If that last memory is true, perhaps the ones that fail were always destined to, i.e. a manufacturing defect and not a matter of time for every filter.

It's not really important for those who wish to tackle it anyway "just to be sure", but I'm just wondering if we're just adding to the reasons why potential new owners research Guzzis and then decide against it.

Obviously I was willing with both the Breva and Stone to test my theory with years/miles. I would have gone longer on the Stone if it wasn't for the failed regulator that forced me to pull the tank anyway.

[kingoffleece]

I remember the discussion on the V7 filters.  If memory serves Mehle (?) the German OEM supplier for the "half" filter had reference on their web site that the model  filter in the Guzzi was not approved for ethanol use.

Mine was pumpkin like and very soft at 2500 miles and I changed it to all metal as a precaution.

[twowings]

'08 Norge - two-piece plastic fuel filter split open

[Kev m]

Ok, we have Mikecocos and TwoWings so far for split filters.

I remember the discussion on the V7 filters.  If memory serves Mehle (?) the German OEM supplier for the "half" filter had reference on their web site that the model  filter in the Guzzi was not approved for ethanol use.

Mine was pumpkin like and very soft at 2500 miles and I changed it to all metal as a precaution.

If memory serves Mehle said it was for DIESEL use, they didn't specifically say it was NOT approved for gasoline or ethanol. No?

And if that's true do you see how this contributes to what might amount to be paranoia?

Just like "very soft" doesn't mean anything if it's not tested to the point of failure. What seems soft to one might still hold pressure to 100 psi.

[sib]

I replaced the half plastic filter with an all metal one on my '13 Stone after 10,300 mi only because of what I read on the forums, not because it failed.  I don't know or even care what kind of filter is on my '16 Stone, it's held up after 16,000 mi.  All the fuel I use is labeled "may contain up to 10% ethanol."  I promise I'll report here if the filter ever fails.

[guzzisteve]

Don't count out smallblocks for line trouble, every single Nevada has to have the line changed, it will come off before the bike has 50mi on it. Late EV's and Vintages had the same line, would get slimy and slide off. I've only seen 1 filter split after swelling, possibility is there.

[travelingbyguzzi]

Replaced the fuel filter on my B1200 at 30K. it looked ok. No obvious swelling. I know many Tonti people who had fuel filter lines disconnect. That is different issue.

[Mikecocos]

The half plastic/ metal filter on my 2014 V7 Stone (5,000 kms) failed. Specifically, the seal between the plastic and metal parts failed resulting in the fuel pump being unable to establish sufficient fuel pressure.

[Kev m]

Don't count out smallblocks for line trouble, every single Nevada has to have the line changed, it will come off before the bike has 50mi on it. Late EV's and Vintages had the same line, would get slimy and slide off. I've only seen 1 filter split after swelling, possibility is there.

Noted on the early smallblocks (specifically Nevada) - will revise my post.

Do you remember what bike you found a filter split on?

[jpv7]

I changed the filter on my '16 Special to all metal type, and can confirm that it is the same filter as what's in the earlier models.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I did a preemptive strike on my 07 Norge filter. No it hadn't failed, but it would have. It was swollen and soft. 

[Bisbonian]

As far as I know there is no fuel line issue except for some late Tonti models.

Early Grisos had a recall for the fuel hose popping off. I imagine all should be taken care of by now.

[Kev m]

Early Grisos had a recall for the fuel hose popping off. I imagine all should be taken care of by now.

Early as in 2007 ish? Any other CARCs?

[PJPR01]

'08 Norge - two-piece plastic fuel filter split open

No failure on my 2008 Norge, but it was replaced to full metal at an early service interval for preventative maintenance purposes only.

[twhitaker]

The later spine frames also have the internal fuel pump.

[ITSec]

2008 Norge - filter was swollen but had NOT failed. It would be speculation to say when or whether it would have failed, but it was clearly not as it had been when installed. The in-tank fuel line clamps also had not failed but didn't look as well done as they might have been. The line itself was hardened and seemed headed for being brittle at some future point.

Filter replaced with all-metal type. Line replaced by high-quality submersion-rated fuel line. Clamps replaced by pseudo-expertly applied (I did it) Oetiker clamps using a genuine German (or Swiss) Oetiker clamp pliers, not cheap Chinese knock-off tool.

[SmithSwede]

2013 V7 Stone.  Replaced my half metal/half brown plastic fuel filter with an all metal unit at 49,850 miles.   It had not failed, but plastic was swollen.   

On the other hand, I poked, prodded, and pulled on that swollen plastic and it seemed pretty tough.   

[sign216]

07 nevada lines and filter replaced by dealer ahead of failure

I think the early Nevadas didn't have a "barb" on the fuel line, and made this a particular problem.

Should be over that now.

[Nick]

I replaced the half plastic filter on my '07 Norge, but it had not failed.