BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

A couple of weeks ago I started noticing a pretty strong smell of gasoline whenever I started the bike in the morning, but that smell was gone by the time I reached work. Never smelled it leaving work, just on a cold startup in the morning. I tried shining a flashlight under the tank one morning and noticed that when the fuel pump primed up, a small jet of gasoline squirted from a fuel line connection, in the direction of the battery, Motronic and numerous electrical connections.

Turns out that one of the crimp-style fuel line clamps had started to give and couldn't hold the pressure. Took the tank off, swapped the clamp out with a screw-type clamp, and all is well now.

Moral of the story: Keep an eye on that stuff under the tank. If it starts to leak it certainly doesn't help your MPG, to say nothing of the possibility of, um... roasted nuts.

Moral of the story:

Replace ALL crimp clamps with fuel-injection type screw clamps

Capt. Blackadder,

A LOT of guys tell us about thier fuel leaks. About half continue to ride the bike to get it home or to a shop, fuel still leaking.
I was just wondering . . . If the car in front of you throws a lit cigarette butt out the window . . . do you:
1 - STOP IMMEDIATELY so the fires don't burn thru your leather pants.
-or-
2 - Speed up until the fires blow out

Inquiring minds wanna know . . . . and how fast do you have to go?

I just jump off the bike, run in circles, flail my arms wildly, and scream, "Hot, HOt , HOt, Hot, Hot, Hot."

CycleRob wrote:I was just wondering . . . If the car in front of you throws a lit cigarette butt out the window . . . do you:
1 - STOP IMMEDIATELY so the fires don't burn thru your leather pants.
-or-
2 - Speed up until the fires blow out

Inquiring minds wanna know . . . . and how fast do you have to go?

A trick question, eh? The correct answer is, of course:

3 - It's too hot in Phoenix right now to notice even if you do catch on fire.

Seriously though, this heat here is getting ridiculous. I rode home around 4pm today, and when I checked the thermometer on my back porch it was hovering around 120F degrees. Like riding through a damn clothesdryer exhaust hose.

Started out on an evening ride and just before pulling out of the driveway I smelled gas - thought Hmmm, exhaust pretty rich today! Then glanced down to see gas puddle forming under bike - I think we will delay this ride.

So after doing a seach, found Capt. Blackadder had posted the EXACT problem I had previously - gas leak upon cold startup and eventually goes away - which explains the discoloration on the right side of my engine I had notice before.

I'll take it in for some new clamps - should fix the problem - hopefully I won't have to mortgage my house to pay for it! (Out of Warranty).

But more important: how do you remove the discoloration on the engine? I mentioned this to the BMW dealer a few months back and he said only way was to 'repaint' the engine with some touch up spray paint. Any other ideas? Apparently this has happened before, but I really didn't smell or see the leak. I would of prefered if they mentioned the clamp issue - but upon inspection at that moment there was no leak.

I remember way back when (2 1/2 years ago?) I got a recall notice about these clamps and took my R to the dealer.

How can I tell if they were replaced with 'good' clamps?

Damn, I never had the recall done either...

How can I tell if they were replaced with 'good' clamps?

As far as I know, the purpose of the recall was to check the clamps and tighten if necessary. Mine were not replaced.
Peter '73 R75/5, '04 r1150RA

I notice that most of the fuel line clamps I could see (without taking the tank off) are the spring type - are there better clamps I should insist they replace them with - since I'm paying the tab?