Looking for Spare Fuel Pump Advice

czryan said:

I recently purchased a 2017 650 XT with 20,000 miles on it. I will be making a 2500 mile trip through Mexico and want to be prepared for any fuel system problems.

1) Should I change the fuel filter or just carry a spare?

2) Should I get a spare fuel pump? It looks like the choices are the entire OEM assembly, or All Balls has a kit with just pump and filter (P/N 47-2032). (Not sure about the All Balls filter as it doesn't look like the part in the Suzuki catalog.)

3) I am going through the bike thoroughly, but are there any other spares I should be carrying?

Thanks!

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My 2 cents says replace the filter and have look to see if there is any rust to care about. If the AllBall pump is specified for your bike (so you know it fits into the holder, etc). I'd consider having one "in stock" so that somebody could ship it to you, in a pinch.
I also notice that RevZilla has a sale going on for fabric fuel bags.
They are small, light and pack well when you don't need it _ but if you are exploring out on the edge or worry about getting lost. You can't fake gas. ;-).

You also need a gasket for the fuel pump flange. Personally I'd buy two gaskets, pump and an extra filter.

Check that the new pump fits (which is why the extra gasket), change the external filter, then put the 'new' bits into a box, prepacked and leave it with someone to send just in case.

You probably don't want to run the new pump, it'll fill it with gas, which will stink of gas for some time and may block it being shipped.

Dump some fuel injector cleaner in the tank and run through that tankful of gas before leaving.

Those pumps do fail but it's really rare at low k's and usually provoked by water/rust in the tank.

I've had two 100,000km DL 650's. I have a pump on the shelf just in case but I've never needed to use it. This is one are area where snake oil (Fuel injector cleaner) does seem to actually work.

This is what I did.
750 miles so far. Mine failed due to rust (purchased barn find basically) I hear you should not run with low fuel too much due to the fuel is cooling the pump. This kit comes with the gaskets, but will need lugs if you redo the wiring. This would be a cost effective spare vs. OEM. Build it up, lug it and do like Pete suggested. The only OEM parts you will re-used with this, is the gauge assembly and the metal base. Look up youtube to do a fuel flow test. Mine was 150CC clogged and approx 500cc with this rebuild.

Great advice - I will dig into this. Thanks!

Edited to add: I found this aftermarket part for the 15420-17k00 "strainer" (which I suspect is actually the filter) for $10 on Amazon. Has anybody used it?

Amazon.com: Caltric compatible with Fuel Pump Strainer Suzuki 15420-17K00 : Automotive

Don't be worried about running with low fuel levels it is the fuel running through the pump that keeps it cool.

I set up a test with a spare pump to prove this to myself.

I push my tanks to the limits on my cars and bikes and have never had a pump fail

If you think you're going to have fuel issues do the filter bypass with a external filter and carry a spare filter and have the tools and seals ready to empty the tank if required.

Make some jumper wires so you can run the fuel pump backwards, this maybe the only thing ever needed to get thing's going again, leave the tank on the bike & run the pump backwards a few times to clear it out.

If it were me I'd go on the trip without a second thought. This is a newer bike with low miles, it's rare to see fuel flow issues crop up this early.