Inline fuel filter melts

I have a '99 KZ 1000P, I installed a 1/4" plastic, inline fuel filter. It has melted several times. I have lengthened the hose from the petcock, and shortened the hose to the carbs twice now. I am guessing either, my engine is getting a bit hot, or the filter is too close to the engine. One slight problem with the engine running hot, the exhaust smell like it is running a bit rich, especially if I choke it. Any Ideas?
Thanks for your help.

If your engine is getting hot enough to melt the plastic on a fuel filter it's getting damned hot unles the filter is resting on the head or exhaust . I use the cone shaped filters made for lawn mowers. Works fine.

I use the Russell Anodized 1/4" (bought mine and some extra elements on eBay). Been using for 5 years with no problems. See 3rd one down on following site:

www.instantop.com/CyclePage/Fuelfilter.htm

The Milkman wrote:

If your engine is getting hot enough to melt the plastic on a fuel filter it's getting damned hot unles the filter is resting on the head or exhaust . I use the cone shaped filters made for lawn mowers. Works fine.

same here. i have always used the plastic ones. if they are melting, you have problems.

When I say melting, I mean the nipple actually warps and the plastic changes color (darkens). Haven't pulled the plugs yet to see if it is running lean. Though it seems to run just fine, and the chrome exhaust is not discoloring. Maybe there isn't enough air flow around the carbs to dissipate the heat. My knees could be blocking the air that would normal blow around the carbs and fuel filter. Just thinking out loud. Thanks for all your comments.

z1rick wrote:

When I say melting, I mean the nipple actually warps and the plastic changes color (darkens)....

Oh yeah, mine always do that. For the last season or so, I have started running my fuel lines such that there is not much of a bend at the point that the filter sits in line. That pretty much solved my problem.

I believe it is just being softened by fuel. On mine, they stay somewhat soft long after everything else is cooled down.

For an experiment, I kept a couple old ones to see if they were still soft like a month later. I forgot about them over winter, and when I found them in spring, they were still bent/warped/curved/whatever, but hard as original.

Oh, and just for grins, if you ever doubt that the filter is working, take that old filter (like I did) and blow backward through it onto some white paper.. so you can see all the rust that comes out... gross...

Maybe that is it. I checked the old filter and it is soft, I squeezed it with some pliers and it did not crack. I ordered an aluminum filter from eBay, I'll see how that goes.

Probably already know this, but Z1E carries a couple of clear plastic body fuel filters. Here are the ones I use with good results. And as already mentioned it's better to install without a hard bend right from either nipple end, may need longer length fuel line(s).

Z1E Fuel Filter

Patton wrote:

...Here are the ones I use with good results...

Me too.
And, I change them every season.

The fuel will change the color of the plastic. Change it twice a year if necessary. They're not that expensive, and it's cheap insurance.

Thanks for all your help:) Will check out Z1's filters. Just clicked on the link, that is the same filter I have been using and yes, I had it "binding", at a 45. I'll try the aluminum one, and see how it works.

Post edited by: z1rick, at: 2007/09/18 22:49