[luvdgl]

After 132,000 trouble free miles on my Wind Dancer (18 RM), I had something fail.
The fuel pump filter was totally clogged with the usual debris that most gas stations sell. That caused the pump to work itself to death.

Fortunately it happened just down the road from the Smoky mtn Indian dealer in NC. These guys are going above and beyond to get me back on the road. Their tech, Corey knows his stuff and I'm sure glad he's here.

Hoka Hey

 

[ndnjak]

After 132,000 trouble free miles on my Wind Dancer (18 RM), I had something fail.
The fuel pump filter was totally clogged with the usual debris that most gas stations sell. That caused the pump to work itself to death.

Fortunately it happened just down the road from the Smoky mtn Indian dealer in NC. These guys are going above and beyond to get me back on the road. Their tech, Corey knows his stuff and I'm sure glad he's here.

Hoka Hey

Holy Cow!!! 132K on a 2 year old bike!!! I wish I could ride that much. I get about 7 Months a year to ride and have a little over 10K on my 18CDH. Ride Safe!!

 

[TN Firefighter]

Sounds like that may be something to change after so many miles, if not to difficult.
Never mind, just checked the manual and it’s not replaceable. You have to change the whole pump out on 2016 models and up.


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[Kitulu]

Sounds like that may be something to change after so many miles, if not to difficult.
Never mind, just checked the manual and it’s not replaceable. You have to change the whole pump out on 2016 models and up.


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That's how it is on most new cars, as well. I think the last vehicle that I had with a replaceable fuel filter was either a 98 or an 01.

 

[Indian-Corey]

132,000 not 13,200 miles on a 2 year old bike? Damn I wish I could ride like that either way. Glad they are taking care if you.

 

[Davetac1]

Can you post a picture of the old pump so we can see what it looks like?? And how much did that Indian dealership charge ya for it??? Thank you! Dave!!!

 

[Cameroni79]

I just want to know what saddle you’re rocking out on!

 

[HINK]

Glad the Smoky Mtn guys are taking good care of ya. Roll on, brother!

 

[Davetac1]

132,000 miles is pretty good mileage for one of these pumps.I had to replace the one in my 2010 Triumph [also high pressure for fuel injection] at the 98,000 mile mark cause it was really making noise,a LOUD humming,progressively getting worse,which is the first indication of eminent failure.But the good news was,after alittle research ,the same pump used in that machine [and I suspect, in the Indian as well] was also the same pump used in the automotive world,meaning,it can be bought for a lot less money, compared to what Triumph and Indian will charge for the SAME EXACT PUMP.[maybe someone could post a picture of the old pump after it's been changed so we can see what it looks like] I believe the pressure is some where between 35 -55 psi.,but I don't know that for sure cause I haven't really checked into it yet.But when or if you hear a loud humming coming from the fuel pump,change it,or get it changed ASAP. Why?? Cause these machines are pretty heavy to be pushing ALL THE WAY HOME!! lol lol lol lol

However,I can give ya a couple tips to help prevent early pump failure!
#1 Periodiically,add alittle Marvel Mystery oil to the fuel as it will help lube the pump.I did this all the time to all my vehicles in the fleet I serviced when I was working,as well as my own vehicles cause they were all injected and all had pumps in the tank,just like our bikes.
Why is it in the tank?? Cause injection requires pushing the fuel to the injectors,under pressure, unlike carburetor applications where the fuel was pulled from the tank via a pump mounted on the side of the block cause those applications only needed a couple PSI to function .

#2 Do NOT run the tank LOW.When ya see the gauge getting towards the 1/4 tank mark,GET SOME GAS.Why??
Cause the gas is what keeps the pump cool and from over heating. Ca Pishe??? Dave!!!

 

[GP_Pirate]

OP: I'm impressed not only with the 132k miles on your 2018 RM, but the fact that your signature indicates you have totaled 2 previous RMs in 2016 & 2017. And still putting on the miles as most of us only dream of. You're the man!

 

[luvdgl]

Can you post a picture of the old pump so we can see what it looks like?? And how much did that Indian dealership charge ya for it??? Thank you! Dave!!!

I have the extended warranty. So it was only $50. for $500 job.

 

[luvdgl]

I just want to know what saddle you’re rocking out on!

I bought an Ultimate extended reach for the previous RM that was totalled. It had 40 k miles when that happened. I put it on this bike before picking it up. This 18 RM bike has 144,750 miles. Seat total is 184,750 miles. Its still holding up.

 

[WackyWally]

Wow that's an average of 180 miles a Day, every day!!

 

[Davetac1]

I have the extended warranty. So it was only $50. for $500 job.

So again!! Can you post a picture of the old pump so we can see what it looks like??? Thank you!! Dave!!!

 

[luvdgl]

So again!! Can you post a picture of the old pump so we can see what it looks like??? Thank you!! Dave!!!

This is the filter side of the pump. It was pretty well plugged. Since its on the bottom of the tank, I figure it picks up the gunk and plugs up at highway speeds. When you shut down, the suction breaks and the gunk is released. Then again at highway speeds, it plugs again.

 

[Chief Signguru]

You might consider having the gas tank cleaned out before putting in the new pump.

 

[luvdgl]

You might consider having the gas tank cleaned out before putting in the new pump.

That was done.

 

[Ironbutt70]

I carry one of these when on road trips. Adds about 1 extra minute to fill ups. Small town back roads stations have some nasty stuff in their storage tanks.

 

[Davetac1]

The usual reason why electric fuel pumps fail is from running the fuel level too low.Why?? Because the fuel is what keeps the pump cool and from over heating .What happens is,when the fuel level is allowed to run too low too many times,and the pump keeps over heating,it will eventually fail and usually at the most inopportune time.And how do I know this?? Cause I've replaced dozens of electric fuel pumps in cars and trucks over the years and every single one of em had failed from being over heated due to a continuous low fuel level.Of course,real high mileage can also take its' toll on em.But the most common cause is low fuel.
So if ya wanna get the most out of em,keep the tank above the half full mark as much as possible.But since there will be times that you'll run em low cause there are no stations available at that time, it's a good idea to keep a close eye on the gauge,especially when traveling thru unfamiliar territory.

 

[luvdgl]

This seemed to be a case of filter plugging. It first started at about 100,000 miles coming from Alaska through BC, Canada. A few more times, intermittently, until the last time at which it was correctly diagnosed.
Previously, the techs said it was a plugged filter, ECM needed to be reloaded, fuel was too lean and it needed a stage 2 map, etc.
Since the pump/filter were replaced, I havent had an issue. Thats been 11,000 miles since the pump work.