Fuel sending unit noise

Professor · #1 08-06-2009, 06:16 PM

Just back from Sturgis and my bike (2001 FLHTCI) developed a whizzing/wheezing hum from the gas tank and the gas gauge is acting funny. Any thoughts? Are these easy to replace or must I take it to the dealer? Also, is it dangerous?

This ad is not displayed to registered and logged-in members.
Register your free account today and become a member on HD Forums!

DannyZ71 · #2 08-06-2009, 06:18 PM

Well, I'm not familiar with H-Ds fuel injection. But it sounds to me like some crud got into it and it's fixing to fart and die on you.

jcoers · #3 08-06-2009, 08:30 PM

My 07 did exactly the same thing while on my way to Sturgis. After I got back into my own area and got non-ethanol gas, the sound went away. It really freaked me out since it started in the middle of Iowa right after I got my first tank full of E-gas. Sometimes it sounded like a pig squealing. Sometimes it sounded like the gas was frothing or something. It never skipped a beat though and is running fine now.

Bowtieman31 · #4 08-07-2009, 01:40 AM

Most likely you have a hole/crack in the plastic/rubber pick up tube inside the tank. It is part of the fuel pump, and filter assy. HD reccommends a fuel filter change every 20,000 miles. The pick up tube assy is sold separately, but if you're going to replace it, might as well change the filter also.

HarleyGoodies · #5 08-07-2009, 03:12 AM

Does the bike wheeze and cough when the tank is full? that is how you can tell if it is the fuel line inside the tank. If it starts to run strange once the gas gets a bit low, then you know for sure.

RutRoo · #6 08-07-2009, 08:49 AM

There is a plastic hose that goes from the fuel pump in the tank to the fuel injectors.. this hose can rub on the side of the tank and get a small hole.. the size of the hole will determine the way the bike will perform.. the center console of the tank has to be removed and the hose replaced.. on my Heritage the replacement hose was quite a bit shorter than the original.

Professor · #7 08-07-2009, 08:54 AM

IT does it when the tank is full or empty. We run 10% ethanol here in St. Louis also. I guess a trip to the dealer is in order.

jcoers · #8 08-08-2009, 10:07 AM

Professor,

Please report back the response from your dealer. Like I said, mine quit making the noise once I got away from Ethanol gas, but I'm curious.

emwolb · #9 08-09-2009, 06:39 PM

an interesting thread. good information to know, thanks guys.

roadrash3 · #10 08-09-2009, 07:41 PM

I had that same problem it is probably the same as mine. There is a tube inside the gas tank, and i had a pin hole size leak in it. No big deal, i rode around 2000 miles before i decided to take it in. Fixed while i waited.