Just when you thought.....

[TLRMan]

So you think my bikes run well all the time?
Saturday, I rolled out the Tiller for a final check before I head up to the White Mountains with the GF on Sunday. Go to start it, and it proceeded to crank, crank and crank. It had been a little hard starting beginning at the end of the year when it was cold, but I attributed that to the higher comp ratio, and probably the introduction of ethanol in the fuel.
It got to the point of where that little battery just couldn’t spin it anymore, so I hooked up the jumper battery to it. Still, no go. I usually notice the sound of the fuel pump priming before I start it, and went for a listen….NOPE!
SHIT! Now what???
I did the usual trouble shooting, fuel pump relay, OK, voltage to the fuel pump, OK….meter the fuel pump….DAMMIT! It’s toast!
Hmmmm Suzuki wants $510.00 a pop for one of these things, but I remembered that in 1989, a Dodge Caravan with the Turbo 4 cylinder used a Fuel pump that would interchange. On the phone I go, and the local parts store has one….for a WHOPPING $85.00!
Grabbed some Permatex #2 gasket goop, and I was on my way.
2 hours later, pump installed, fuel back in tank, and everything buttoned up, turned on the key, and it sounded like a Food Processor! She lit off on the 2nd try….Now that’s more like it.
We had a wonderful ride up, spent the night, and came back without a hitch, and the Tiller is starting like it used to…2nd shot.
One other note that I thought was funny, and that was that the parts store wouldn’t warrantee the pump, because it wasn’t being used in the application it was meant for…..Who cares!
So, note to all you Tiller riders, if you want to save a bunch of money, and not mind hearing a Cuisine-Art when you go to start it, this is the way to go.
There are just a couple of modifications you have to do, but very minor, to get this pump in and going.

Thanks Dodge!

Pic... We made it!

[R1]

putting dodge parts in a suzuki???????

makes sense.

[Jim]

nice! how the hell did someone figure out that a TLR has the same fuel pump as an 89 dodge caravan with a turbo 4cyl?

[1/2pint]

better yet who the hell would need parts for 89 dodge caravan with a turbo 4cyl and how in gods name would one still be running?

[TLRMan]

Hmmmm..dunno
I know that I need at least 95-100 psi to make it go, and one listing shows the Caravan.
I figure if I did a cross ref, I'd find other applications too. The Bosch pump is an easier swap than with the Airtex, but Hey, beggers can't be choosers!

[KillBill]

Awesome Mark

[DucDave]

...you just happened to remember...?

I vaguely recall when I could actually remember stuff too...enjoy it while it lasts!

...good work..!

[TLRMan]

...you just happened to remember...?

I vaguely recall when I could actually remember stuff too...enjoy it while it lasts!

...good work..!

Yeah...There was a little ditty about it a couple years back on one of the TLR sites....
Turning 50 this year, looks like the grey matter is still functioning!
BTW...Hurricane Mountain Rd is open, if you didn't already know that

[beet]

This is a reg TL mod but I still Mark

[TLRMan]

This is a reg TL mod but I still Mark

Yeah....but the 1st time for me..I love you too Beet!

[spicy]

haha, nice ingenuity mark . glad to hear frankenbike's up and running like a champ

i'm back in town, so we should meet up and go for another 133/97/128 loop again some afternoon/evening when it's nice out

[Punjistick]

That's pretty sweet that you were able to get the bike up and running in so little time. I can almost guarantee that if it were me, my bike would have been out of commision for a while.

[keeena]

Way to keep the Tiller moving. I've only seen one other TL on the road this year (black TLS w/ yosh cans on 290).

[Devil1]

hahaha Food processor!! lol

[marshdrummer]

So what are the other 'small' mods that must be done? I'd like to know in case I use this in the future.....

[TLRMan]

So what are the other 'small' mods that must be done? I'd like to know in case I use this in the future.....

Just make the saddle a little bigger where the pick up goes on the pump, swap out spade connectors for the power source, and modify the rubber seat that the stock pump sat on, to go around the new pump, so it'll clamp securely. You also have to trim about a 1/4" off the existing fuel line, that plugged onto the output of the pump.

that's it.

Use permatex #2 gasket goop to reuse the original gasket plate, and torque the bolts crisscross to 3 ft/lbs gradually bringing them up. I also hit the screws with loctite blue.

[Stoneman]

Mark, you whore! How close were you to me when you were up? Bastich!

[GixerJockey]

nice! how the hell did someone figure out that a TLR has the same fuel pump as an 89 dodge caravan with a turbo 4cyl?

better yet who the hell would need parts for 89 dodge caravan with a turbo 4cyl and how in gods name would one still be running?

And the most obvious question of all...


Why the fuck did they make a turbo CARAVAN???

[TLRMan]

Mark, you whore! How close were you to me when you were up? Bastich!

I was on the other side, went up 93 to the kanc.
We had to get back early because The GF's kids were coming back from their fathers.

I'll either be up the 1st weekend or the last of bike week....
are you doing a rockpile run? and when?
I'll try to work around this.

[LuvDog]

Nice Job... Similarly I've seen people talk about fuel pumps for some 5.0 Mustangs will replace the fuels pumps in 748/916/996/998 Ducatis

[gregp]

"Real bikes" don't have fuel pumps....

[TLRMan]

"Real bikes" don't have fuel pumps....

Hate to tell you this, but the carbureted GSXR's had fuel pumps...

[OreoGaborio]

Mark, you whore! How close were you to me when you were up? Bastich!

You're not alone, Stonie... I live like 15 minutes from the guy & I haven't seen him in weeks.



What's the difference between an Ex-wife and a Future-wife?

With the Ex-wife you didn't ride with your friends cuz she wouldn't let you.
With the Future-wife you don't ride with your friends cuz you'd rather ride HER.

[gregp]

Hate to tell you this, but the carbureted GSXR's had fuel pumps...

Exactly!! But you won't find one on an RZ (or TZ) 350!

[1/2pint]

And the most obvious question of all...


Why the fuck did they make a turbo CARAVAN???

that is what i am thinking not to mention a 4 cyl version