Who uses an in-line fuel filter for their 2strokes

[Amadeus]

Im wondering if any of you are using an inline fuel filter on your bikes. My set up doesnt have one and it seems risky to load fuel into the engine w/o a filter of some kind. On the flip side Im thinkin maybe the oil in the fuel will gum up the filter rendering it useless.

Who has tried it or is using it?

What have you tried?

Thanks

 

[Earthpilot]

I have used them for years, the "flat" type. Doesn't hurt any performance, a little added insurance,,,anything to help keep the carb clean...easy to see if fuel is flowing into the carb also.. Funny thing,,the inline fuel filter helped indentify and recover a bike that was stolen a year ago,, I sold it to a guy and two weeks later it was stolen,, I talked to a detective when it was recovered and told him if it had the filter that HAD to be the right bike,,no one else runs a filter on a dirt bike!

 

[cp380sx]

I always have and always will run an in-line fuel filter. The best reason to do so is if for some reason you need to remove the tank, you can detach the fuel line from the petcock and if dirt falls in the fuel line, your filter will keep it out of the carb.

 

[gwcrim]

I don't run one currently BUT........

Last week I ran out of gas and we had to find an old pop can to transfer some fuel. Luckily, we had a rag to wipe it out because there was substantial dirt in it. I think I just might buy me one as a safeguard.

 

[Birken Vogt]

My CR500 has one since I bought it, one of the little sintered bronze ones inside a clear plastic case. It is hooked up backwards, ie the fuel goes in the "out" and out the "in", but I am not about to change it now. The oil will not gum up a filter either, it flows right through. I think they are a good idea.

Birken

 

[Nevada Sixx]

if you get one, get one that is small and narrow, the big fat wide ones can have alot of air in them, especially if the are sitting sideways..i ran one for a few years, i never did see any trash in it.

 

[fatty_k]

When I bought my bike used it had an in line filter that had some particles of something in it. Despite having a filter in the tank from the petcock, some stuff still manages to get through I guess. I replaced the old in line filter with a new one, and I'll keep an eye on any build up in it.

 

[hotrodvw]

I run a filter on my 2 smoke. It's prob not necessary, but it doesn't hurt being in there, plus it's cheap insurance. I figure a $2 filter might save a motor rebuild....I do like being able to see the fuel flowing through it. This allows me to monitor if there is any garbage in the tank. The filter in the tank is great, but how often do you check or clean it?????? Didn't think so. Eric

 

[fatty_k]

Originally posted by hotrodvw
The filter in the tank is great, but how often do you check or clean it??????

Once a year, and it is usually pretty gummed up with crap.

 

[Moto Squid]

add me to the list for using a filter...once again added protection and the ease for disconnection when removing the fuel tank.

 

[OldassKDX]

Add me as well. For just a couple of bucks you have some really cheap insurance. I don't like to tear into the carb when it legitimately needs rejetting, much less because some junk got into it.

 

[Speedway]

Where do you get in-line filters for a two stroke, is this something that the dealers carry? I have a KTM 2 smoker. Thanks

 

[CO Dan]

I run one on my KTM & also on my daughters KX100.

It's protection for the motor and also helps keep grit out of the carb. Stuck throttles scare me, especially with regards to my daughter's bike

Speedway, any dealer should have some. I imagine a hardware store would have them also in the lawn mower aisle.

 

[Fark]

Next question.. has anyone ever been stuck on the trail because of a clogged filter? That's what stopped me from adding one to my machine...

 

[flynbryan]

Better yet has anyone noticed a reduction in fuel flow w/the addition of the filter? I took mine off of my Yz I had, because it appeared to slow down the flow.

 

[Speedway]

Thanks CO, The KTM's have a fuel filter in the tank, but I have yet to clean it.

 

[atc3434`]

I have a fliter on my YZ.... didn't hurt the flow enough to hurt the power. Never cleaned it, never had to. Cheap insurance. Now I'm looking at replacing the petcock with a on-off-reserve type. Anybody done that??

 

[Brian]

2-smoke, 4-stroke, whatever it is, I put fuel filters on 'em. I've had people say it's stupid and not neccesarry, and maybe they're right, but the way I see it, it's CHEAP INSURANCE!

 

[factoryRM]

If the filter gets clogged just turn off your gas and take the filter off hook the hose up back together and your good to go.

 

[ochster]

Theres no doubt, a good filter media is smart. Weather that be done as the fuel is put in the tank, or inline.Many of the oem petcock filters are either not good enough, or very restrictive with minimal contamination. I know it is common practice, to remove the petcock filter entirely, and run a quality inline, for flow reasons. The downside I have seen, usually involves installation of the filter. Many times the filters themselves, have a much less flow capacity, than the oem system. The filters come in a variety of i.d. sizes, wich many seem to ignore. I also see fuel line kinks, from poor routing, and fuel line quality. Another issue is purging the air from the filter. I believe in this, but many seem to blow it off.

 

[sunnyboy]

ive riden for many years with out an in line filterand never had a problem as the pedcock filter works great,i and others have put them on and later that day had fuel flow problems all due to causing the line to kink, i always use a can with a fine screen on the nozzle and check the tank filterspring an fall.ive never found much crap in thier so it is not a problem.i would go so far as to use a new jersey to filter dirty fuel going in to my tank if i had to.how ever if it makes you feel better &causesno problems with fuel flow go a head

 

[motometal]

If you think about how small the main jet passage is, it seems doubtfull that a filter (unless really plugged) could cause and real problem with fuel delivery. The fuel pressure at the needle/seat in the carb is controlled mostly by the distance between the upper level in the fuel tank and the carb location...not the size of the fuel line or restriction.

 

[kmccune]

Fark,

I've never been stuck or even stopped for awhile due to a clogged fuel filter and I've benn using them for 25 odd years. But if it did happen a few min would clear it and get you bake on your way. As long as you carry tools.

Kevin

 

[Associate01]

I use one too, on my really old bike. lol.....it is two stroke, but unfair comparison, because it has oil injection. So, the fuel going through filter isn't as thick.... :-P

 

[motometal]

I think to sum it up in my opinion, an added inline filter is probably not needed but won't hurt anything as long as you install it properly. The filter on the petcock has improved greatly over the years, it's really fine but yet has more surface area than most inline filters. I've made a habit of removing the bowl plug on a regular basis (sometimes it's to change main jets), I rarely find any particulates, more common to find a drop or two of water. From my experience, if you do find foreign matter (iincluding water) in your carb, there's a decent chance it washed backwards up the vent lines and didn't come from the fuel supply in the first place.

It is a good idea to remove the petcock assy at least once a year and clean the filter. All it takes is one bad batch of fuel to start clogging it up.