Some questions about fuel filter changing.

[mr_magicfingers]

So I'm steadily working my way through doing my own service on the bike for the first time. It was serviced by Steptoe just after I bought it late last year so I could get it checked over (first beemer) and now I'm doing it myself, as I've done my own bikes in the past.

The bike currently has 82k miles and a bmw service history up to about 60k.

Took the fuel tank off today to change the filter, nuts on the tank were somewhat stubborn but not too bad. Started drawing the internals out and discovered that the clamps holding the hoses on are what I assume are the original bmw clamps that you can't undo. Do you just break these off?

I was expecting to see regular petrol pipe clamps that can be undone with a screwdriver, so didn't have spares to hand. I've put the internals back so I have the bike for work on Monday, bit late to get to the shops today now.

However, it raises a couple of questions. Are these clamps the type bmw only put on at the factory or are they also put on by bmw dealers during a service? If it's only the factory that puts them on, it would seem that the filter hasn't been changed in 82k miles

Should you replace the nuts that hold the plate in place, they seemed to have old plastic at the tops, although didn't look like the nylock nuts. Is there anything special about them?

Thanks.

 

[(RIP) Mark H]

I changed the fuel filter in my 1100 a few weeks ago, I just pulled the pipes off and pushed them back on no need to disturb/change the clips
You will find a manufacturing date on the fuel filter it will give you an idea when it was last changed, my old one said March 2003 the new one said June 2010.
I reused all the nuts holding the plate on, best fit a new o ring, dont overtighten them

Heres some info from my fuel tank overhaul, might be some info there you could use,

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=235747

 

[boxer]

Personally I'd replace the nylock nuts. Make sure you don't over tighten them.

BTW, dpn't panic if the gasket is too big when you come to reinstall - it'll shrink .

 

[MarkShelley]

I done mine last weekend.
I also found the clips a pain in the butt. One pipe pulled off easily, the other was really difficult. I thought that I would change the clips for tiny jubillee clips that I had in a drawer to make it easier next time. Unfortunately with these on it fouled the opening in the tank and was impossible to fit so I had to put back to standard. What should be a quick job took ages.

 

[mr_magicfingers]

Thanks for the info.

I considered just pulling the pipes off but, as I need to have the bike to get to work, if I damaged something I'd be screwed for Monday morning. Don't have alternative transport so decided to play it safe.

Have ordered some pipe clamps from ebay and will have another go next weekend.

 

[davegs]

Don't order the bmw ones as fitted you'll need a special crimping to0ol to fit the useless things. Get clips with a nut and bolt better than juble clips my BMW dealer sold these. Put copper slip on the fixing bolts and don't over thighten them, I know every has already said it but they are slightly delecate.

 

[MattW]

I repiped the inside of my tank a couple of months ago - I just cut the old clamps off and used standard 'screw' type fuel line clips. The hoses soften after years sitting in fuel and the clips lose their grip.

If you can just pull a pipe off, it's too loose and will leak (if it's the breather or filler neck hose, it'll drip from the pipes by the right footrest, if it's one of the 'pressure' side hoses it can drop the fuel pressure and lead to problems).

 

[Steptoe]

I re-use the bmw clips.

Never had to replace the large O ring. Pump out, clips off, change filter, pop back in tank.

No need to undo any other connections, i change the filter with the tank standing up and the pump hanging just outside the tank. Three big dabs of grease around the O ring recess to hold it in place when you put all the gubbins back in the tank.

Takes about 15 minutes. And why i only charge £30 parts and labour to change a filter - check out what others charge

 

[mr_magicfingers]

I re-use the bmw clips.

Never had to replace the large O ring. Pump out, clips off, change filter, pop back in tank.

No need to undo any other connections, i change the filter with the tank standing up and the pump hanging just outside the tank. Three big dabs of grease around the O ring recess to hold it in place when you put all the gubbins back in the tank.

Takes about 15 minutes. And why i only charge £30 parts and labour to change a filter - check out what others charge

Many thanks Neil, I didn't want to just pull the clips off in case I damaged something, as I said earlier, I can't afford to be without the bike and it's the first time I've done this particular job. Good to know I can just pull them off carefully. Do you normally have to unclip the hoses before getting the gubbins out of the tank, seems a bit tight otherwise. Again, I'm being cautious and double checking things so I don't bugger things up.

Amazing how much some people charge for stuff, but then again part of your reputation seems to come from being fair and not ripping people off the way many other bigger places do.

Been reading through the pieces you've put in the Wisdom section which is helping me in working through the service, thanks again for sharing those.

J.

 

[Crapaud]

Takes about 15 minutes. And why i only charge £30 parts and labour to change a filter - check out what others charge

Yes, I can do mine now in about 30 minutes thanks to practise.

The first time I changed my fuel filter the total time was about three days but that included one day in hospital As I removed the fuel pump I managed to squirt lots of fuel hard into my eye. Spent hours in Casualty with a little pipe stuck in my eye flushing all the petrol out.

Not surprisingly, I now take my bike to Steptoe for major issues despite it being a long drive from Devon. Always pleased how reasonable his charges are. Just a shame he's such a miserable grumpy old bugger.