I have a 2002 fxstbi. When I try to start it cold, it cranks for about 30 seconds or up to 3 tries. Starts and runs good after initial start up. Got me to thinking maybe a fuel problem. So I opened the filler cap, turned on the ignition (primed right away), but when I switched the ignition off I noticed the fuel in the tank was moving like the pressure was being relieved. Does anyone believe I have a leak between the check valve and the pump, or is this normal?

 

Once the fuel pump is primed, it should hold prime for awhile... Can you hear the fuel pump prime for a few seconds when you first turn on the ignition?

The fuel pump to filter hose is known to develop pinhole leaks in the older twin cams... when the fuel tank is low, you can hear and/or see the spray of fuel from the fuel line..

Some will replace with OEM, and others have replaced it with a section of quality, submersible fuel line..

The hose in question would be #20 in this pic..

 

Thanks for the reply, but I was wondering about the fuel disturbance (pressure release?) when the ignition switch is turned off. The pump primes, but when switched off, will only hold prime for about 4 seconds. I take it it's not normal.

 

If it holds prime and only "releases" after the ignition is turned off, I am unable to offer any advice, sorry.... I've never noticed that, or read anything about that... could be normal for all I know..

I was thinking the "fuel disturbance" you were describing was fuel leaking from that hose while the pump was on.... my bad..

 

Thanks anyway. I guess my next step is to check and maybe monitor fuel pressure.

 

My bike is the same as what was described, but only when it's pretty cold and been sitting for a few weeks in the cold garage. I was thinking it was my battery getting a little weak and not enough CCA's to really get a good crank.
Interested in what you find. I was just going to try a new battery as it always fired so well in the warmer weather.

 

Mine is hard to start only when cold starting, not just ambient air temp. After it's been started, no problems.

 

Load test your battery... it's easy to do and will tell you in an instant if your battery needs replacing...

 

Update with no positive conclusion. Attached a fuel pressure gauge this morning and guess what, engine turns over twice and started right up. ??? The gauge read 40lb on prime, then falls to zero, when started and running it read 58lb. Removed the gauge and after 1/2hr, it started right up again. I'm going to wait a few hours and try it again.

 

That's not unusual...

I found out when I had what I thought was a bad ignition relay, that the ECM only energizes the fuel pump relay for two-three seconds, enough to prime the system,when you first turn on the ignition. It then turns off until it reads the engine is running... then it will re-energize the fuel pump relay while the engine runs...


I don't believe the pressure should be releasing that fast, after initial prime, but again.. I'm not sure of that... If that's not normal, it could be you have a fuel regulator going on the fritz, or a hole in one of the internal hoses...

Since it's starting now, keep running it and see how it goes...

Report back what you find...