Fuel Gauge Update

[burn_nitro]

Just had my R12R in for routine maintenance and complained again about the gauge and warning light accuracy. Like many other posters, I've had the fuel strip replaced already and still have random readings. According to the dealer's service manager, the latest is that BMW is aware of the problem and that parts replacement hasn't worked. They are working on a permanent fix.

[AncientMariner]

Oh, thank goodness!

[Ric]

That doesn't really tell us much does it; better than nothing that they're working on it...I suppose.
I pick up my new 2010 R12R this Wednesday (7/28). I can't imagine them producing another model year with an existing problem. Maybe mine will work.

[psycle.vt]

Well, mine failed at the start of my trip (bike shipped to Portland, OR, ridden to MOA Rally, then down to SF and back home to VT) - not fun having to go "old school" using just the trip odometer and the fuel consumption gauge (which was remarkably accurate) especially with consumption varying from 40 to 55 mpg (some really bad gas out there!) The bike really like the mountains on US 50 from CA to CO - so did I

Hope the fix happens soon - my dealer has already ordered the usual replacement strip

[dumfounded]

Maybe mine will work.

Don't count on the order of production eliminating failure. My 2010 has failed twice. The first was just your average stuck at the same level indication. The second time left me stranded. It had fuel- the pump shut off because of the fuel strip failure. Two failures with less than 1k miles. I figure things fail and if it's not one thing it's another. I just make sure I've got a cell phone with me...

[Ric]

Being stranded because of a stupid fuel gauge readout is way unacceptable.
I'm going to see if the computer information center can simply be turned off until they have a fix.

[websterize]

Being stranded because of a stupid fuel gauge readout is way unacceptable.
I'm going to see if the computer information center can simply be turned off until they have a fix.

There's also NHTSA campaign for the fuel sensor in the new 5 Series and 5 GT. BMW fuel sensors aren't engendering much faith these days. And blaming U.S. fuel quality doesn't cut it. Make a robust sensor.

I look down on the R12R fuel gauge/computer with skepticism. The more fool-proof method is to reset the tripmeter after every fill-up — 150 miles in traffic; about 200 miles otherwise. It's highly unlikely the techs can deactivate the fuel gauge readout.

[dumfounded]

It's highly unlikely the techs can deactivate the fuel gauge readout.

True, and even without the display the OBC still uses the information from the fuel sensor.

[Ric]

Just to confirm.....

People are being stranded (bike won't start/run) because of an incorrect sending unit turning off the fuel pump and the bike won't start even though there's plenty of fuel in the tank.

Right ?

[dumfounded]

Just to confirm.....

People are being stranded (bike won't start/run) because of an incorrect sending unit turning off the fuel pump and the bike won't start even though there's plenty of fuel in the tank.

Right ?

Just mine that I've heard of unless someone else here has had this experience. While riding home from work, the bike started studdering when coming to a light. I've run out of fuel with other bikes, and that is exactly what it felt like. Problem is I had only 150 miles or so on a full tank. It died at the next light. I tried and tried to start to no avail. Acted just like it was out of fuel. When I got it towed home, I checked it with the GS-911 and it returned a fuel pump failure. The mechanic at the dealer confirmed. He removed the pump to test and it checked out fine. After putting it back together, clearing codes, and trying again he got the fuel strip failure. This was the second strip. The first just gave me a never changing fuel level indication, but it ran just fine.

[websterize]

The engine died en route to work although the onboard computer's residual range said 30 miles to empty. The manual says the range is an estimate, so my mistake: I let the fuel level get too low. I was on an incline when the engine died. (You know that slurping noise a straw makes after you down a soda? Might be the same physics in the tank, even after 150 miles.) I used to refuel after ~200 miles in city traffic; today I look for fuel after 150 miles in city traffic. The fuel sensor strip might have caused the fuel pump to fail, but I doubt it.

Several thousand miles later, however, the fuel sensor strip went haywire — excessively fast countdowns to zero on the residual range, full bars on the fuel gauge, then zero bars a mile later — and a consistent zero fuel-bar reading after fill-ups, which illuminated the low-fuel lamp. This lasted two to three weeks, and the bike always started up. I had the fuel sensor strip replaced because of that damned low-fuel lamp, not because of the crazy fuel-bar readouts.

Life on the R1200R got better after I Stopped Worrying about Fuel Bars and Learned to Love the Tripmeter™. All has been good since.

[Ric]

I pick my new R12R up this Thursday. I called the dealer today questioning him on this issue.
He said they had been informed of the problem, it was showing up on the GS's as well, they have changed out a couple fuel strips, and they were keeping the strips in stock. They have no knowledge of an engine shutting down because of this issue.

Also, BMW has just sent them a new diagnostic and control tool. He is going to check with the tech on cutting off this circuit.

Anyone want to buy my H2 ?
Come on....one of you guys need a beautiful Kawasaki H2 !

[psycle.vt]

As noted above, my gauge died ready full in Portland, OR at the start of my cross country ride. Stayed that way the whole trip. Fortunately the consumption gauge was remarkably accurate and in conjunction with the trip odometer, I was fine.

However, this afternoon I started up the bike for a nice 80 mile ride with my wife (she on her 09 F650GS) when I noticed that the low fuel light was on. I had filled the bike less than 20 miles before and the gauge read empty. Argh! - remembering this thread, I parked the R and got the R1150GS out for the ride (anyone have a spare Zumo power cable?).

After re-reading this thread, I guess I can safely ride the R with the low fuel light and gauge reading 0?

Thanks

[websterize]

… I guess I can safely ride the R with the low fuel light and gauge reading 0?

Yes, if you shine a light in the tank, and there's fuel in it, you're good. Until the dealer can replace your fuel strip, I'd use the tripmeter as your fuel reference.

[Ric]

I have about 800 miles on my new R12R. Yesterday I filled the tank up to where I could see the Fuel up in the little tube thing (I hate that tube thingy thingy!). My numbers are:

computer = 48 mpg.
Trip odo = 196 miles
Computer = 71 miles to empty.

I understand the tank holds 5.6 gallons. If so, these numbers are pretty close. It does take the computer roughly 10 miles to settle in on a good number after a fill-up. I would consider this reasonable as it would take time for the slosh circuit to average out the fuel level.

Why is that tube thingy in the fuel tank anyway !!!!

[deilenberger]

I understand the tank holds 5.6 gallons. If so, these numbers are pretty close. It does take the computer roughly 10 miles to settle in on a good number after a fill-up. I would consider this reasonable as it would take time for the slosh circuit to average out the fuel level.

Why is that tube thingy in the fuel tank anyway !!!!

Some of us have put very close to 6 gallons in the tank..

And the tube thingie thingie is there to keep you from overfilling the tank. The gasoline has to have room to expand was it heats up (I've had gas come out of underground tanks that was cold enough to cause condensation on the outside of my tank.) At the very top of the tank - inside - is a vent that allows the tank to breathe. As your bike came from the factory - the vent is connected to the charcoal canister that is behind the forks. If you overfill the tank, when the fuel expands - it will expand into that vent and get dumped into the charcoal canister. If this happens often enough - the charcoal will start to break down, and eventually will become a solid mass, that prevents any expansion (or contraction) breathing to take place. When that happens you'll be asking us why the bike starts to stall on you like it's running out of gas after an hour of running or so.

On euro bikes (and de-canistered bikes) - this vent goes to a tube that runs to the ground behind the left footpeg. If you overfill the tank, and then park it in your garage with the engine still hot - you'll come out to your garage to the very strong smell of gasoline vapors (if you're lucky, and there isn't a hot water heater in your garage..)

My canister came off accidently a long time ago.. and I have had the second scenerio happen to me once. Since then, I never fill the tank past the bottom of that tube unless I know I'm going at least 50 miles or so before parking it.

That's why the red thingie is there.. more then you ever wanted to know..

[deilenberger]

BTW - the MPG setting? You are supposed to reset this and average speed at every fillup.. at least according to BMW. The claim is - long term averaging isn't as accurate for the fuel-remaining countdown as short term.

[websterize]

My canister came off accidently a long time ago.

Why would I “accidentally” remove the charcoal canister and violate some U.S. emissions law? Does the bike run differently without it? Hypothetically speaking, of course. Just curious.

[mogu83]

Why would I “accidentally” remove the charcoal canister and violate some U.S. emissions law? Does the bike run differently without it? Hypothetically speaking, of course. Just curious.

It makes a great place to mount the rather large Stebel Nautilus Horn. My canister is gone (I think someone stole it Officer) when I'm on the road I fill it up till I see a puddle under the bike - then I exit quickly. Their is a fine for pumping gas on the ground in some states but I figure I might need that extra 1/4 gallon of gas.

[Ric]

BTW - the MPG setting? You are supposed to reset this and average speed at every fillup.. at least according to BMW. The claim is - long term averaging isn't as accurate for the fuel-remaining countdown as short term.

Oh yeah...I forgot about that. I've been curious that my average speed is reading 41 mph; and well....huh....that seems kinda low...