2009 XB12Ss fuel pump - need help.

[keithd]

So it seems like I'm having a fuel pump issue on my 2009 XB12Ss.

I started my bike up yesterday, and after about 1-2 minutes of idling the engine died and will not start.

- I hear the pump run for about 2-3 seconds when I turn the key to on.
- I disconnected the fuel pump electrical connector, turned the bike on, no pump sound.
- Reconnected it, turned bike back on and heard pump.
- I did a fuel flow check by disconnecting the hose right at the injector housing, when I turn the bike on there is nothing coming out of the hose.
- When I hold the hose below the frame tank fuel level fuel comes out with the ignition on or off.
- Poured a small amount of gas down the throttle body and the bike ran for a few seconds.
- Fuel hose is not pinched and electrical wiring is not chafed.
- Battery is fully charged and the starter turns the engine.

So it seems I'm getting air and spark. The pump makes that high-pitched sound when the ignition is turned on, but it doesn't get lower like it's encountering resistance, and there's no fuel flow when I turn the ignition on and hold the fuel hose end over a can.

Do I need a whole new fuel pump/regulator assembly, or is there some sub-part I can replace?

What's frustrating is that from now to Saturday it's 75-77 degrees every day and I have every day off, but now I can't ride.
Thanks all for any help!

 

[Endopotential]

Unless you have a fuel pressure gauge you can hook up to verify function?

Otherwise the tough thing is that you won't know until you actually pull out the fuel pump. The hardest part is all the maneuvers to get the pump out. Once you're there, might as well just replace/rebuild it. Both options available through our esteemed member Barrett.

I have an '07 XB9, and it turned out that there was a pinpoint hole in the flex hose component of the fuel pump. The pump would turn on and make all the right noises, but with that hole it wouldn't pressurize the fuel properly.

Or wiser head will chime in with diagnostic advice. Looks like you chased down all other likely leads though. Except maybe pull the spark plugs to make sure they're not ruined? And visually confirm spark?

 

[Cooter]

and it turned out that there was a pinpoint hole in the flex hose component of the fuel pump. The pump would turn on and make all the right noises, but with that hole it wouldn't pressurize the fuel properly.

This.

 

[34nineteen]

I have an '07 XB9, and it turned out that there was a pinpoint hole in the flex hose component of the fuel pump. The pump would turn on and make all the right noises, but with that hole it wouldn't pressurize the fuel properly.

Happened to me too. Check my "New Buell for me" or whatever the hell I called that thread.

 

[njloco]

You see, it just goes to prove that pin heads get pin holes !

 

[keithd]

It'll probably take a while before I can pull the pump. Nowhere to lift the rear as my garage doesn't have accessible rafters, but I can probably figure something out sooner or later.

Crazy thing the bike was running really well up to this point - no sudden engine cutout, no issues at all.

 

[Cooter]

An A-frame ladder works too. The tail of the bike is lighter than most people. The whole bike is lighter than most Americans (LOL).

 

[34nineteen]

You see, it just goes to prove that pin heads get pin holes !

 

[34nineteen]

An A-frame ladder works too. The tail of the bike is lighter than most people. The whole bike is lighter than most Americans (LOL).

If you have a stock muffler or if yours comes off easily, you can also jack the bike up by the motor. That’s how I did mine.

 

[LUC1F3R]

If you have a stock muffler or if yours comes off easily, you can also jack the bike up by the motor. That’s how I did mine.

This, i just jacked it up and removed the swingarm bolt.
Your fuel line may have come ruptured or disconnected inside the tank, that happened to me. I replaced the pump with a $100 mustang pump while i was in there.

 

[keithd]

I appreciate all the advice.
I have an A-frame ladder somewhere, LOL about the bike tail being lighter than most Americans (hey, I'm working on it!).

Here in Omaha we're about to head into the really cold season - I had to go to a funeral so I couldn't work on the bike this week. Hopefully I can work on it this winter sometime.

 

[keithd]

Does anyone have a "best practice" for draining the fuel tank?

I can drain a bit just by disconnecting the fuel hose from the injector housing, but it's slow and potentially messy.

 

[34nineteen]

Does anyone have a "best practice" for draining the fuel tank?

I can drain a bit just by disconnecting the fuel hose from the injector housing, but it's slow and potentially messy.

Use the drain plug?

Get a service manual and read it. This is covered in depth on page 4-22 / Step 2 -

2. Remove drain plug (4) and drain fuel into appropriate container. Discard plug.

If you refuse to do that, go to youtube and look up the video where someone has done this procedure before. I would hate to see how you drain a bathtub.




Never mind this. Just take it to a mechanic.

 

[keithd]

Why the hostility? I didn't refuse to do it, I just didn't know about the drain plug.

And don't worry, I can drain a bathtub just fine.

 

[34nineteen]

No hostility. Just pointing out the obvious. It apparent that you are diving into a process that you have no knowledge of and have no desire to read the service manual first. The fact that you were trying to go through all the steps to get to the injectors and disconnect the fuel line, vs unscrewing one bolt points out this out.

The service manual is available as a free download, and there is a section specifically called "draining the fuel tank" and it is step #2 on page 4-22.


You can also try tipping the motorcycle upside down as well. Make sure to remove the fuel cap first.

 

[34nineteen]

Pro tip: the service manual is full of "best practices" and is available as a free download. It does have one fatal flaw that tends to mess up a bunch of people though.

 

[34nineteen]

You can also use something like this. There are different versions, but they basically all do the same thing.

https://www.amazon.com/Liquid-Fuel-...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

 

[keithd]

I didn't go through all the steps just to disconnect the fuel injector fuel line, I had disconnected that line when troubleshooting the fuel pump previously. You seem to draw negative conclusions about folks without knowing the whole situation.

I had a brain fart/senior moment where something obvious to you wasn't to me at the moment. Sure, I'll be sure to check the service manual and yeah, I probably should have looked there first, but damn I thought this was a friendlier community.

 

[34nineteen]

Which part are you referring to about being obvious?

The fuel tank having a drain plug? Not all do.
or
Reading the instructions before starting a process one is unfamiliar with?

There are parts on cars and motorcycles that must be disassembled in a certain sequence to prevent damage to the part or injury to yourself.

You seem to draw negative conclusions about folks without knowing the whole situation.

You mean like negatively assuming the way to drain the fuel tank is the slow and messy way via the fuel line, instead of reading the service manual and knowing the whole situation?

 

[34nineteen]

but damn I thought this was a friendlier community.

How much friendlier and helpful do you need?

I downloaded a service manual for you.
I looked up the procedure for draining the fuel tank for you.
I posted the page number and step of the process on the forum for you.
I posted the actual procedure from the service manual for you.