Object in Fuel Tank

[bigonbuell]

I stupidly dropped one of those thin inner gaskets attached to the inside of a fuel additive cap into the tank of my 2003 XB9S. I'm talking about that wafer thin round paper/foam thing, not the plastic cap itself. It's disappeared in the tank. Gone! Can't see or get at it. Is it going to cause me problems? Why or why not? Thanks for any insight. I'm new to my Buell and don't understand the fuel tank construction or fuel system in general and don't know how it may/may not be constructed to protect against such things.

[TooFst]

I'm sure the paper on top of the foil will dissolve soon. Don't think the foil will do anything but the paper?? I guess at least if you have a fuel prob. you'll know what it is. I would get it out one way or another. Siphon out gas and "mirror on a stick" or ??? Dang, that's a tough one man..... Ive heard the fuel pump isn't hard to remove but never done one myself. I bet if ya did though it would be stuck to the side of the tank near by. Good luck

[bigonbuell]

Thanks TooFst! Good suggestions. Yep it's a pesky one and worrisome. At least there are bigger problems in life.

[wolfo68]

The filter should stop it from clogging anything

[Applepooh]

The filter should stop it from clogging anything

[bigonbuell]

Thank guys. Is the filter adequately large that the dime size cap would not block flow significantly?

[okey]

mate its a filter or strainer. I would be worried if a manufacturer would produce a product that would allow a dime size piece of debris enter my fuel pump.The strainers have micro mesh to stop small particles entering.The only issue is if it blocked the strainer but i doubt that .I would be a little anxious as are you to make sure the piece of material did not block anything and i would try to remove it also but i doubt that it will cause you worry.

[BitchinXb]

rig up a shop vac with a hose size reduction , drain your tank and try fishing it in there and suck it out

[anrkizm95]

it could block the pickup tube

[g3STRIKES]

i dont think it will hurt but if it bothers u take fuel pump out of frame bottom, put air hose in fuel hole with rags around it n it shud blow out,but i wudnt worry bout it!

[bigonbuell]

All great ideas! Still contemplating... Tks!

[moshaholic2]

propbably a pain in the ass... but I would drain the fuel and remove the pump and fish that thing out of there.

Could even use a hose w/ water once the fuel is out w/ the pump being removed (leaving an open hole in the bottom of the tank to drain out)

Then let air dry open in the sun for a day or two (or use compressed air to blow it out. First tank or two run some dry gas just to make sure any remaining water is out.

I would atleast then have the peice of mind I wouldn't starve my engine of fuel and lean it out somehow (even how remote the chance could be)

[netty2424]

Wouldn't that float? Fill the tank up and bring it to the top?

[bigonbuell]

Thanks netty. You are right. It does float. I am running a test now. I bought another bottle and extracted the little white disk-shaped gasket. I have place it in a bottle of gasoline. It floats for the time being. I am going to see how it does over several days. Will it deteriorate, start sinking, or fall into pieces?

In the meantime the original piece has disappeared into the tank somewhere. Nowhere to be found. Perhaps stuck on a wall or something. As long as it remains buoyant I don't it will be a problem, as long as I don't run the tank empty. Hopefully it will remain buoyant and will float to the top during some fill up in the future. I am going to keep a set of prongs with the bike in case that happens so I can pluck it out.

This is a weird problem and I don't want to over-kill attack it and create worse problems of unintended consequence. Bike runs great in the moment.

Thanks for weighing in.

[netty2424]

No problem! I'm not a mechanic so when weird things happen to me like that, Im forced to think a little differently rather than just start tearing things apart! [up]

[cb750]

To get the fuel pump out you need to remove the swingarm and get a special tool.