Emgo fuel filter failures

[WingAdmin]

I have been hearing rumblings on some message boards lately about Emgo aftermarket fuel filters failing in a disturbing way - from what some people have written, they found the adhesive holding the filter media inside the filter was breaking down and sending debris down to the carburetors.

More recently, it appears that Emgo has stopped making fuel filters, at least for Goldwings. Talking to Gary at Cyclemax, he told me that he hasn't been able to get any for some time, and that when he called Emgo, they told him they were no longer making them.

This evening, I was replacing the fuel lines on my bike, as one of them had started to fail. I decided it would also be a good time to have a look at my Emgo fuel filter. I put this fuel filter on during my winter maintenance this past year - it has had fuel in it for seven months, and I have ridden roughly 6500 miles on it.

When I pulled it off, I could see through the translucent cover what looked like rust. This concerned me, so I cut it open. What I found inside absolutely astounded me.

Several weeks ago I was riding on a highway, and suddenly started losing power. I tried choking the bike, revving the engine, switching to reserve, but the bike was definitely acting as if it was starved for fuel. This went on for about 20 minutes, and then it went away - and it's been perfectly fine ever since. Now I know why!

I would strongly suggest that if you have an Emgo fuel filter on your bike, that you pull it off and have a look at it, and think strongly about replacing it. The debris I found in my filter would easily clog carburetor jets, potentially resulting in a costly carb overhaul.

[morriscatt]

Looks like yours held up better than mine.. mine did not have as much glue left inside the filter.. most of it plugged up my carbs.. I know several of us at Goldwingfacts.com had this same issue. I even sent and received an email or 2 from emgo rep at factory.. who did not seem to give a flip.. I went to a glass filter from autozone.. anything but EMGO....

[maestro319]

WOW!!! That's all i can say.

[detdrbuzzard]

emgo has been around for a long time but have never been known for making the best product

[Picasso]

Looks like a great time to switch over to the auto oil filter adapter GS. I wouldn't give too much worry about road debris punctures.

[hoodad463]

Unbelievable! They must know about this. I need to check my filter type this morning.

[nsjoe]

Good thing you found that Scott. There was a thread about the EMGO filters on the goldwingfacts site last year. One of the EMGO reps was involved. I don't remember if one of the members was cut/pasting his emails, or if the rep was replying directly, but the issue was the same - the glue turning to goooo.

[morriscatt]

I assure you EMGO knows all about these problems. I received an email directly from their Sales Rep confirming that they were looking into the problem. When I emailed back to ask for their results, he stopped communications.. THEY KNOW, AND THEY DON'T CARE! When I asked for a new filter to replace the defective one.. he/they never responded. I will never buy EMGO anything again if at all possible. Cost me a bike.. ie; I had to re-clean my carbs one more time.. and the day after that is when my bike burned to ground!

[nsjoe]

I see that you have fired up a similar thread on goldwingfacts. Someone there posted the link I refered to:

http://www.goldwingfacts.com/forums/forum1/80858-1.html

Maybe call Pablo/Paul, whatever his name is and give him the "business" that he won't have your business anymore.

[WingAdmin]

I've modified the How to replace your fuel filter How-To article to mention the Emgo fuel filter problem, as it previously mentioned using Emgo fuel filters. It also shows pictures of the use and installation of the NAPA 3011 filter.

[nsjoe]

I like the braided lines.

[WingAdmin]

Me too - I wasn't sure, I saw them on another bike and thought I'd give them a try. You can see them more here: How to replace your fuel lines. Now that they're on, I really like them, so I guess it was a good idea.

[Len]

Boy am I glad my Gl1800 doesn't have a fuel filter; I have used Emgo filters in the past.

[maestro319]

Really ?? No fuel filter?? What do 1800's use?

[cbx4evr]

So the big question is who makes the fuel filter for Honda??

I'd be willing to bet it's probably Emgo. Can't seem to find any other manufacturer for it. I'm afraid that using an OEM filter will give the same result just with a higher initial cost for the filter.

Anybody install the Napa 3002 in a GL1500?

[WingAdmin]

So the big question is who makes the fuel filter for Honda??

I'd be willing to bet it's probably Emgo. Can't seem to find any other manufacturer for it. I'm afraid that using an OEM filter will give the same result just with a higher initial cost for the filter.

Anybody install the Napa 3002 in a GL1500?

I'd be interested in the answer to this...the Honda filter and the Emgo filters look identical on the outside. Anyone have an OEM Honda filter on their bike that they wouldn't mind cutting open?

[WingAdmin]

Really ?? No fuel filter?? What do 1800's use?

They have a screen built into the fuel pump inside the fuel tank, like most cars. If it gets clogged, you have to pull the pump/sender unit out of the tank.

[PAPete]

Well, what fuel filter is recommended for the Goldwing? I rode my "85 GL1200 Aspencade 4000 miles this summer -- it was new to me -- and feel as if it's high time I checked it... Thanks.

Pete

[WingAdmin]

Have a look at How to replace your fuel filter - it shows the NAPA 3011, which will work just fine on the GL1200 a well. Or, you can go with an OEM Honda filter for 3-4 times the price.

[PAPete]

Thanks, I'll do that. Pete

[cbx4evr]

When the going got tough Paul/Pablo mysteriously disappeared and has remained silent. He hasn't posted since Oct. 2009. Emails to him / Emgo go unanswered. They don't want to reply to avoid liability. They won't publicly admit there is a problem with the filter but they have apparently pulled them off of the shelf.

[nsjoe]

At least they were decent enough to pull them from the shelves.

[WingAdmin]

At least they were decent enough to pull them from the shelves.

But the thing is...by ignoring the problem and letting it fester across the Internet (and doing a search, this is being talked about on a LOT of message boards), they do themselves no favors. Instead of a "yeah, we had a bad batch of glue, it's all fixed now" statement, I'm left to think that perhaps ALL of their products are of suspect quality...and I have already switched to a different oil filter brand as a result. I'm sure others will be doing the same.

[nsjoe]

At least they were decent enough to pull them from the shelves.

But the thing is...by ignoring the problem and letting it fester across the Internet (and doing a search, this is being talked about on a LOT of message boards), they do themselves no favors. Instead of a "yeah, we had a bad batch of glue, it's all fixed now" statement, I'm left to think that perhaps ALL of their products are of suspect quality...and I have already switched to a different oil filter brand as a result. I'm sure others will be doing the same.

+1

[Carl334]

Here is a link to my experience with Emgo filter!
http://www.goldwingowners.com/forums/sh ... php?t=4681