87 VFR 700 - no power, no idle. Strange wires.

OK, great. Anyone know what size fuel line I need and roughly how much? I can take a piece with me if I can't find that out somewhere.

I'll look up how to clean and treat the tank - get that done, change this filter (which has all that crap gathered at the bottom, just like you say) to a metal one, change the fuel lines, and see what it does.

 

I'm running 3/8" OD fuel line with no discernible issues. I think stock size was something like 7mm? But the 3/8" has been good to me (YMMV.) I'd get about 3 1/2 feet.

 

Perfect. I can get those parts tonight.

I can't find the oem replacement for the fuel pump anywhere, but I'll start with the other components first and see what that gets me.

 

Indeed. I'm interested to hear the results of your tinkering. Post back and let us know!

 

Don't mind the cosmetics for now. I'll tend to that after it runs correctly. For now...



I couldn't find a metal screen filter locally, and I don't have $3.95 of patience - so I just replaced it with a cone filter while I wait for my metal filter from amazon.

The crappy thing is, now my fuel pump is fried. I have no idea if changing the fuel lines and filter did anything, but I know for sure I need a new pump. It doesn't click unless I hit it with something. Sometimes it won't click at all. d

The strange thing was, at first the fuel filter wouldn't fill up very much. I had to put more gas in it. Once I did this, and let the fuel filter hang lower for a bit, it filled up. The bike normally takes about five minutes to start cold. As soon as the fuel filter filled up, the fuel pump clicked properly for a few seconds before finally dying - and the bike started immediately on that cold start. The engine jumped swiftly to 4rpm, which is because of where the idle was set. Prior to shutting the bike off, the idle was set to around 2,200 rpm... and yet I have now idea what this means, because the pump is dead.

Wondering if the fuel tank has a blockage... It could have just been almost out of gas though. Searching for a new pump as we speak...

 

Have you flow-tested the pump? It isn't designed to click (pump) constantly, I'm pretty sure even the ones like what you have are designed only to pump when there isn't sufficient back-pressure against the diaphragm on the outlet side. If it does turn out to be on the fritz but works when you tap on it, you should look in to replacing the points.. Cheaper than buying a new pump. Easy install too. With your stuff exposed as it is now, it'll take you all of 5 minutes.

By the way, these are the filters I was talking about.
http://shop.mr-gasket.com/air-and-fuel-systems/fuel-filters/3-8-clear-view-fuel-filter.html
They can be had cheaper, just an example.

 

As I understand it - the pump is only designed to keep the floats up. It holds less than 3 psi, just to make sure fuel doesn't drain from the carbs.

I could try to replace the points on the pump.

I found one OEM pump... but it's $170. That is a lot, considering what I paid for the bike.

If I do replace the pump - any reccomendations?

 

Going to grab one of these this afternoon from advanced, unless someone thinks its a poor pump.

Its 2.5~3 PSI

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/m...m3W7_xKHLrAih6HHFlRds3JZCMdhGGZR_CAsQKZTw_wcB

 

I replaced the pump, but is taking forever for gas to get through the lines to the pump from the tank

All of the fuel lines are new... clogged tank then? I literally have the fuel pump hanging straight down from the tank and it really isn't filling up with much gas at all. Its been about ten minutes

 

Checked the tank for a blockage - fuel pours right out.

... so fuel isn't getting from the tank to the pump, but the lines and filter are all new...





... I need a beer

 

The fuel pump that I bought is bad. I chose to read the reviews afterwards.... so now I've ordered an E8055 for an 80's civic. Getting a brand new BAD part SUUUUUUUCKS. It took me a long time to assure myself I wasn't crazy. Longer than I'm comfortable with...

 

Wired the civic pump up and hooked up the plumbing. The bike started again, and after about two or three minutes it was ready to idle, but it was getting dark and I didn't have time to install the pump securely to the frame. I'll secure it and try the bike out tomorrow if things still look good.

 

UPDATE.

Temp sensor revealed the rear two cylinders only getting to 80 degrees. Paid $200 for a carb cleaning with new plugs and jets included - she runs like an absolute CHAMP! Just drove her seven hours to nyc and the VFR ran like clockwork.

 

The pump on my 86 was weak would only give a thump and quit. It would chatter fine if the tubes were disconnected. Sticking the intake into the fuel it would stop.

I cleaned the contacts (They were pitted) and found a screw for the cover. Tightening down the screw, I managed to cut through one of the windings on the coil in the pump. OOPS.

Looking around I got a MR. Gasket micro pump. Luckily it works nice. i had to put on a couple of elbows to get it to fit.

 

After confirming your pump was OK did you clean the fuel cap vent after making sure a rusty tank was not a culprit?

 

If the fuel pump is clicking, its trying to fill the carbs. It should stop when carbs are full of fuel.
Now if its clicking its receiving power. The relay allows power to the pump ONLY when the engine is running.
If your engine is not running and the pump clicks it is likely the relay has been bypassed.
Next..... According to some more learned viffer owners, the carbs require a good clean if they've been unused for a while. Sometimes you can use a fuel treatment... or better to remove the carbs, strip and clean the internals. Do not strip the carb bodies off the mounts, its not easy to reassemble them.

Roger