Is this a bonkers idea? :LOL:

[Posh Pete]

I'd like to check the status of the fuel filter and internal fuel hose inside the tank of my 1150GS. Preferably, without removing the tank, pulling out the fuel pump from inside the tank etc and having to replace it all if the internals have been previously replaced. Maybe some kind of remote endoscope could be used? Just a wild thought! Feel free to tell me I'm aff ma heid and I'd blow myself up!

 

[Hay Ewe]

provided tank is empty except a very little bit in the bottom, sounds ok.
No flame, no spark etc, should be ok.

 

[littleade]

There's loads of cheap USB endoscopes available online that plug into a mobile phone that have a built in LED light so as said previously drain your tank and take a look seems like a plan

 

[Steptoe]

The fuel filter is a small aluminum can, you can’t tell anything by looking at it

I leave mine in place and can tell if it needs changing by a slightly different noise that it makes… they all make slightly different noises so my method only works if you’re used to the sound that your bike makes at certain fuel levels .. a benefit of owning a bike over a long period of time

 

[DrFarkoff]

@Posh Pete Just take the tank off and rest on an old car tyre with a blanket laid on top

Thoroughly clean the threads where the 8mm nuts run

Plenty of Penetrating oil I use the Lidl Graphite stuff and it seems to be very good

Just use a SMALL ratchet or spanner and feel the tension If the threads are clean they have likely been off before

You can see the two little breather / drain hoses once you start to lift the flange up at the rear, Just pop the clip from over the ridge ( I use a straight tapered pick tool for this and they will unclip and pull off

Draw the assembly back and up and you can take it to the bench

This is good methodology!

You get to Lube the threads
You get to check internal pipes
Change filter if needed
give it a bit of rust treatment in the seams and joints

The Oetker clips can be freed up by prising and separating the crimped part with the straight pick and when you are reassembly them just crimp them up with old fashioned tile nippers Same for the vent / drain tube hoseclips Wire cuter swill work too

 

[Wrigsby1]

Endescope out... Look at filter... Date 2002... Ahem, it needs changing...

 

[harry the cat]

LOL? Seriously? And you an acdemic!

 

[Posh Pete]

LOL? Seriously? And you an acdemic!

Perfectly serious. Petrol in liquid form is totally safe. It's the vapour that's explosive. An optical fibre endoscope with an external light source might well do the job and would save quite a bit of time (see Jay's post above.) And I aint no academic!

 

[DrFarkoff]

Petrol in liquid form is totally safe. It's the NON SATURATED vapour that's explosive.

Fixed it for yeee!

Get the spanners out and stop phaffin aboot!!

It also lets you see how swollen or "GUMMI" your hoses have become !

 

[Cortina]

Yes (daft) Date on filter will be manufacture , not installation ... waste of time - change it or leave it ... hmm ....... (I would change it)

 

[Fiddlesticks]

Probably not as dodgy as having to drill out the lock from a petrol cap of a Vauxhall Cavalier... and then sticking the hoover down the pipe to suck up the swarf.

 

[Steptoe]

Endescope out... Look at filter... Date 2002... Ahem, it needs changing...

Not if it’s sat on a shelf all its life.

I have a couple dated 2006, I really must rotate my stock instead of putting the new ones at the front all the time

 

[Mad Hatter]

Mark the position of the access panel before you remove it. It’ll save you some head scratching when you put it back in. My view is pull it all out and replace the filter hoses and clips. Do it once, properly

 

[Dosa]

Good words from Mad Hatter, why mess about with endoscopes that'll show bugger all just replace everything inside the tank, write down your mileage in the back of your manual job done.

 

[Posh Pete]

Good words from Mad Hatter, why mess about with endoscopes that'll show bugger all just replace everything inside the tank, write down your mileage in the back of your manual job done.

Correct and @Cortina too. Time to get the spanners out. Thanks all. Thread closed.

 

[theoneandonly]

is it ?

 

[timeandtide]

Apparently not!
Academics Eh!

 

[Neil W]

The fuel filter is a small aluminum can, you can’t tell anything by looking at it

I leave mine in place and can tell if it needs changing by a slightly different noise that it makes… they all make slightly different noises so my method only works if you’re used to the sound that your bike makes at certain fuel levels .. a benefit of owning a bike over a long period of time

With an endoscope the previous owners of my r1150gs would have found out that the fuel filter which had been changed on three occasions at service was still the original 1999 item (they are date stamped )

 

[Steptoe]

With an endoscope the previous owners of my r1150gs would have found out that the fuel filter which had been changed on three occasions at service was still the original 1999 item (they are date stamped )

Yes they are date stamped.. date of manufacture, not the date it was installed .