cleaning lhm filters

[Mickey taker]

well ive done a search but couldent find any reference ( I know Richard will post a link within 10 seconds lol)
haynes says to drop the car to low and release the pressure valve before removing the lhm tank clip and bits to get at the filters but I know someone else said that wasn't necessary.

so I dont screw up can someone write an idiots guide to cleaning the filters please.

[mds141]

I thought I did a while back. Did it get deleted when the server crashed?

[Mickey taker]

I knew I had seen something on here, it must have gone in the great crash.
can you do it again pretty please Mark ?

[bx petrol auto saloon]

Dear Mick.
Thats the way I change the LHM Mick, put in low open the bleed valve and empty
the old fluid, clean the filters and the tank( mind your fingers as the edge of the tank is
very very sharp Mick ) rebuild and bleed
Carb cleaner usually does a good job of the filters Mick :
Hope this helps Mick
Vince.

[Mickey taker]

Thanks Vince, do you need to empty the fluid everytime ?, what if you just want to clean the filters for now ?

[mds141]

I'm on iPhone at moment but will do a proper write up when I get back home.
1. Put suspension to low, this allows most of the LHM to go back into the reservoir.
2. Remove retaining clip from top of tank.
3. Pull off cap with the supply/return hoses attached to it.
4. Remove filters. The D shaped one has a small clip at the bottom and IIRC the smaller return filter just pulls off.
5. Clean filters in petrol, allow to dry thoroughly and reinsert as reverse of removal.
No need to open pressure valve IMHO.
Think I've covered everything. Obviously set height lever to normal ride height after finishing filter cleaning.

[Defender110]

If you are just cleaning the filters you would be better off with less LHM in the reservoir i.e. not in low. I don't see why you need to release any pressure either?

[docchevron]

No need to undo the pressure relief valve at all.
Mark's description is spot on, although if you're hardcore, wash the filters in petrol whilst smoking. If you like to live, dont smoke whilst using petrol...

[BX-pert]

You put it in low and release the pressure valve if you want to get the maximum of old fluid back into the tank when you are changing the LHM.

[frog]

No need to undo the pressure relief valve at all.
Mark's description is spot on, although if you're hardcore, wash the filters in petrol whilst smoking. If you like to live, dont smoke whilst using petrol...

Hahaha, I'm putting that in my signature

[JayW]

You put it in low and release the pressure valve if you want to get the maximum of old fluid back into the tank when you are changing the LHM.

That would be true but as per title Mick just wants to clean the filters.

Agreed, no need to release pressure, it's only LP lines at the tank.

Although, as more crap tends to sit at the bottom of the tank than in the actual filters it's best to remove the tank, filter the LHM through an old (clean) tea-towel and clean the tank out. Don't forget to actually remove the plastic disc in the bottom of the tank, sometimes they can be stuck there with crud and if you didn't know it was there you'd miss it!

Oh, and best take off the sovereign or you'll never get your delicate little lady-hands back out Mick

[Birotor]

A GS story again.... When I was shaking down my GS after I bought it in Hautes Alpes in 2005 I came up fast to a roundabout on the A36 and got a noise from the front like a machine gun. There was a slight leak on the front crankshaft seal... on a GS this lets engine oil into the HP pump and coats the filter in the tank with black gunge and starves the pump. When the car was being prepared for entry in the eventually cancelled 2008 London-Taj Mahal rally I planned to carry only 20/65 engine oil and no spare LHM and broom handle lengths to stuff down the front struts and wedges for the rear to deal with a catastrophic hydraulic problem on a long stage (the Turkey stage was over 1000 kms followed by two long long stages to cross Iran). I have only had to resort the engine oil once and that was with my BX14RE back in 1990 and did a temporary repair on the leaking return pipe and bunged in 20/50 Essolube.... and changed the LHM next day.

[andycadabra]

I cleaned mine the other day for the first time (fairly straightforward), and put in what apparently is the last bottle of Hydraurincage flushing fluid in the country.
beware of the fact that the hole in the FHM reservoir is like a very sharp knife, and unless you want to slit your wrists, use a large cloth to clean inside so that it protects your hands from the edges in the process.

[JayW]

GSF stock Hydraflush, as do Euro.

[Paul296]

GSF stock Hydraflush, as do Euro.

Malcolm Lockwood will sell you some as well. (at 20 quid a pop - 10 quid cheaper than GSF)