Fuel Line Quick Disconnects

MoraleHazard · Post by **MoraleHazard** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 2:03 pm

Aaahhh!!! In trying to change out my dead battery, the black plastic "outershell" of the male end of one of the quick disconnects broke off completely leaving the light colored "valve" part fully visible. It's the plastic itself that broke so I would need to either replace the quick disconnect, or find some other solution.

I've read on here that people have used continous fuel lines, but my "garage" is a dark corner of the underground parking garage where I store my bike. There are no electrical outlets nearby.

Would it be possible to clamp the hose and remove the quick disconnects and connect the two hose parts with some sort of solid adaptor and screw-type hose clamps? Or is this a trip to the dealers?

The bike is a 2004 Rockster that is still under warranty. I have pics if anyone cares to look.

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 2:29 pm

I'm thinking of using a short length of steel tube to replace those quick-disconects...and do away with them completely.

The little o ring inside them are very easily damaged and all can be perfect one minute and pissing fuel everywhere the next.

Here's a pic of my little trouble makers..notice I have already replaced those stupid BMW hose clips with screw type.

The second pic shows the permanent damage that having a fuel leak does...bugger!

DJ

Post by **ProductUser** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 3:26 pm

I no longer have quick disconnects; that's one problem I don't want to have on the road.

ProductUser

MoraleHazard · Post by **MoraleHazard** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 3:50 pm

3 Questions:

What's the best way to clamp the hose shut to keep the fuel coming out if I were to remove the quick disconnects or do I have to drain the tank?

How do I remove the crimp clamps that BMW put on the bike?

Anyone know what size steel and hose clamps tubing I have to use?

Thanks all for your help. This site has been great.

Post by **yjleesvrr** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 3:59 pm

I did this operation last December when I needed to change the battery and one of the QDs broke.

I used one pair of vice grips to clamp the black hose shut to prevent fuel from leaking while I used another to squeeze and bust the QD nipples that fit inside the hose. I used a needle nose plier to grab all the broken pieces out of the hose.

I cut two 3" long 3/8" diameter copper tubing I bought from Lowes to replace the QDs. I used screw-type clamps to fasten everything in place. No problems since.

Post by **sweatmark** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 5:40 pm

Does anyone recall which of the original fuel lines - call them "top" and "bottom" - remains pressurized when neither engine (really, fuel pump) isn't running?

I'd like to color code the straight line hoses when removing the quick connects and shorter hose segments.

Post by **OU812** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 5:46 pm

I have used a bolt of the size of the inside of the hose, then clamped the hose onto the bolt, that keeping the fuel from leaking. Very stoneage, yet good while working on the bike.

Post by **challey** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 9:31 am

Just got the Omega QDs that I ordered Tues (very impressive response time BTW!). Hope to get them installed this weekend but have a couple of questions that I'm sure have come up before, but I couldn't find searching through the forum.
1) Do I have to remove the tank to replace the QDs? It looks like I may be able to get to everything without pulling the tank, but I's worried that this is only an illusion.
2) What's the recommended lubricant for the o-rings - wheel bearing grease, a thin film of engine oil, a spray of WD-40, a liberal coating of KY jelly?
3) I'd like to carry some spare o-rings for the QDs - will 8mmID/12mmOD work with the Omega's 5/16" size?
Charlie

Post by **rdsmith3** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 1:32 pm

challey wrote:Just got the Omega QDs that I ordered Tues (very impressive response time BTW!). Hope to get them installed this weekend but have a couple of questions that I'm sure have come up before, but I couldn't find searching through the forum.

1) Do I have to remove the tank to replace the QDs? It looks like I may be able to get to everything without pulling the tank, but I's worried that this is only an illusion.

I can think of a few reasons why you should remove the tank. Getting the old ones off involves some work and some amount of swearing, because they are barbed. With the tank on, you might not have enough length of hose to remove the old ones and install the new ones. If you slip with your tools, you might scratch your tank. When gas comes out (and some will) it might stain the bike. I think this is one of those times when spending a bit more time to completely remove the tank is worth it. You are preventing other possible issues.

Also, and this is important, you should replace all of the hose clamps with fuel injector clamps from your local auto parts store. They screw tight but do not have the slots that might chew up and cut the fuel injector lines. The factory clamps are another source of potential fuel leaks, so why not replace them for a few bucks while you are doing this. To replace all of them, you need to remove the tank.

Here you can see new plastic QD's and new clamps.

2) What's the recommended lubricant for the o-rings - wheel bearing grease, a thin film of engine oil, a spray of WD-40, a liberal coating of KY jelly?

I think I used vaseline.

3) I'd like to carry some spare o-rings for the QDs - will 8mmID/12mmOD work with the Omega's 5/16" size?

Not sure, but I bought a bunch of them. Maybe check the parts fiche at Max BMW for the official size.

Post by **jb44** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 5:09 pm

challey, I sent you a pm.

I agree with rd, change the clamps too.

The stock BMW o-rings will fit the Omega disconnects.

jb

Anger · Post by **Anger** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 5:26 pm

DJ Downunder wrote:The second pic shows the permanent damage that having a fuel leak does...bugger!

So that's what the discoloration is !! I bought my bike used and always wondered at the source of the ugly stains. I feared it was something far worse than gas on the paint. Thanks for the info!

RrunsinOregon · Post by **RrunsinOregon** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 9:54 pm

As an aside, a Mother's drill driven polishing ball from an autoparts store and a dab of BonAmi with water will clean that stain right off the case. Just take it easy, and you will watch the stain just disappear.

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 10:24 pm

Thanks and welcome ... RrunsinOregon ...but what is a Mother's drill driven polishing ball from an autoparts store and a dab of BonAmi?

DJ

Post by **Buckster** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 3:30 am

I just put on the Omegas on yesterday. Very fast delivery from Omega. I did not take the tank off. I did cover the cylinder head and the surrounding area with a old t-shirt. A little gas did come out and I did pinch closed the lines with some cardboard and vice grips-did not want to damage the lines.
I used a Dremel tool with cut-off wheel to cut old BMW clamps off. Very easy. New ones slipped right on and I did use the fuel injection clamps! I did have to do some running around to find the FI clamps.
Very nice product and I did keep the BMW o-rings. They are the same size.

Post by **rdsmith3** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 4:15 am

Buckster wrote:I just put on the Omegas on yesterday. Very fast delivery from Omega. I did not take the tank off. I did cover the cylinder head and the surrounding area with a old t-shirt. A little gas did come out and I did pinch closed the lines with some cardboard and vice grips-did not want to damage the lines.
I used a Dremel tool with cut-off wheel to cut old BMW clamps off. Very easy. New ones slipped right on and I did use the fuel injection clamps! I did have to do some running around to find the FI clamps.
Very nice product and I did keep the BMW o-rings. They are the same size.

Did you change the clamps on the other end of the fuel lines, at the tank?

Post by **JCsman** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 6:20 am

DJ Downunder wrote:Thanks and welcome ... RrunsinOregon ...but what is a Mother's drill driven polishing ball from an autoparts store and a dab of BonAmi?

DJ

DJ,
BonAmi is a cleaner product. Been around here in the States as long as I can recall - my mom used it when I was but a lad.

Mother's is a car wax company that has a WIDE range of waxes, washes, sealers, touch up products. The drill driven means powered by a hand drill. Polishing ball....well it's a ball that swirls around for polishing (geez, Bill THAT was not so well said). Kind of a stick with scrunchy material on the end.

http://www.properautocare.com/mopo1.htm ... C=advanced

I have no clue if these are available in Aus.

Post by **challey** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 8:15 am

Thanks to both rd and jb.
I had the dealer replace all the crimped fuel line clamps with the screw type 6 months after I bought the bike, so I'm good on that score. Hopefully get to this job over the weekend - might be tough though, since the forecast calls for riding weather.

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 11:29 am

Thanks Bill...well we do have Mothers down under..

...the mothers cleaning goodies also...I'm not sure about the polishing balls..I'll be checking then out...and that BonAmi..I'm not sure about that..I think we do have it also..is it like a creamy cleaner or Ajax powder..(both slightly abrasive)???..the yellow stain is in the clearcoat..not just on the silver paint..I've tried a few different tings now and nothing seems to be working..I think I will have to wear through the clearcoat to get rid of it.

DJ

Post by **MartinW** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 11:43 am

Does anyone have a part number or a full product description for the OMEGA QDs as I need to source some in the UK?

Post by **Buckster** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 2:46 pm

RDSmith,
No I didn't change the lines, just the QD's. I left the stock clamps on near the tank. No reason to change out unless the line broke or leaked.
Martin,
http://www.omega.com is the website. The fittings you want are FT-LCD 170-05 and FT-LCD 220-05. Make sure you get the LCD and not the LC. They show alot of fittings on the page and I almost ordered the wrong ones.
They about 75.00 for a pair of each, but at least I will not worry about the plastic ones cracking.

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