How many fuel strips have you been through?

[Mark_1]

After just 3 weeks of ownership my R12R quit in the middle of a ride. Computer indicated plenty of fuel. Luckily the engine quit at an intersection with a convenience store and gas station (the only one for many miles). Placed a call to the tow company (second time in a week, first was for dead battery), but then decided to fill up just in case it was the fuel strip problem mentioned on this list. It was, luckily? Dealer is ordering part and will replace under warranty. R12R is a "new" 08 dealer demo with 3k miles - 3 weeks, 2 failures, hmmmm.

[Liam]

I've had fuel gauge failures on three vehicles now: Prius, ST1300, and R1200R. The R12 failed last week. The new one goes in under warrantee toward the end of June.

Clearly this is a failure prone technology. I think that the ST1300 used a float so this might be the case with either technology. Is there a third alternative or is this an "opportunity?"

Liam

[deilenberger]

Clearly this is a failure prone technology. I think that the ST1300 used a float so this might be the case with either technology. Is there a third alternative or is this an "opportunity?"

Liam

A visual level indicator will always be quite accurate, and can't really "fail" to work. It could get broken in a crash though..

[ShinySideUp]

Hey, Don - No wonder your bike is so fast with 200 psi in the fuel tank!

[Liam]

Clearly this is a failure prone technology. I think that the ST1300 used a float so this might be the case with either technology. Is there a third alternative or is this an "opportunity?"

Liam

A visual level indicator will always be quite accurate, and can't really "fail" to work. It could get broken in a crash though..

Thought of that. The problem is you can't read it without stopping and probably dismounting. I wonder how a completely transparent plastic tank would look... Nah.

I'm thinking more on the lines of an electronic one-for-one replacement that mimics the electronic behavior of the sensor strip but isn't so unreliable. Maybe a photodiode (or photo-resistor) and an LED. The only optical signal in the tank would come from an LED near the top of the tank, and the amount of signal reaching the photocell would depend on how much gas was between the LED and the photocell. The four open issues on the way to prototyping are what wavelength for the LED, should the interior of the tank be used as an integrating sphere or should a closed optical path be used, how much do the optical properties of different brands of gas vary and how much circuitry is needed to convert the PD-LED level data into the form the on board computer needs.

Right now I think using the odo is good enough. At least having the odometer gives us a fallback that the battery failure didn't.

Liam

[Meatloaf]

My fuel strip had to be replaced before I took delivery of the bike last July, then it failed again a couple weeks ago at around 11,000 miles. It will be replaced under warranty next week sometime (or whenever the art comes in - bike was in the shop last week for the 12K service and it hadn't come in then).

[famousperson]

3 years, 8000 miles, no need of a replacement--yet. From what I read above, it seems inevitable at some point, and not so long from now.

[Graubart]

Although I've never trusted fuel gages on motorcycles I've never had trouble with the ones on my Strom and Connie. Yesterday, with 2000 miles on my new R1200R, the fuel strip failed. Fortunately, being a skeptic of such gages, my trip odometer indicated I had about 50 - 60 miles left.

Sounds like a part that needs ordering so I will send a note to the dealer on Tuesday morning.

[celticus]

The last time I filled my tank it took 5.504 gallons. How many does our tank hold anyway?
The gas gauge after a minute came up to full but the reading on the "Number of miles till empty" display did not act as it normally does. Instead of going to 256 miles go it began slowly working it's way up. Maybe my fuel strip is going.

Mark

[websterize]

The last time I filled my tank it took 5.504 gallons. How many does our tank hold anyway?

21 liters, or 5.54 gallons

Mark, if you're still under warranty, I would definitely have the dealer look at the fuel strip. Seems to be a widespread problem.

[celticus]

I purchased the bike in December of 2006 so I think I am no longer in warranty.
But thanks.

Mark

[jed1]

Anyone know if the fuel strip is an expensive item to replace? My bike has just come out of warranty and I think that my fuel guage is starting to play up. If it is broken (or breaking) Ill have to cough up the $$ myself.

Can you get aftermarket items that are a little more reliable?

Thanks in advance.

[websterize]

Anyone know if the fuel strip is an expensive item to replace?

About $170 US. It's called the fuel level sender (16147697815). As global the problem, I would petition BMW to pay for the part even if you're out of warranty.

[deilenberger]

Anyone know if the fuel strip is an expensive item to replace? My bike has just come out of warranty and I think that my fuel guage is starting to play up. If it is broken (or breaking) Ill have to cough up the $$ myself.

Can you get aftermarket items that are a little more reliable?

Thanks in advance.

If you're just out of warranty - talk to your dealer. If you've been a good customer chances are they'll "Good-Will" it (and despite what they tell you - they can make this call, not BMW-Motorrad..) Besides the parts cost - there will be an installation labor cost. They have to drain the tank, install the sensor, calibrate it for where the fuel warning light turns on, then put your gas back in. Took about 90 minutes total when I had mine done.

There is no aftermarket item except opening the tank and looking in.. or setting and watching one of the trip odometers. Fill up around 200 miles and you'll prolly never have a problem.

[jed1]

Thanks Bill and Don for your input. The gauge seems to be working still, however Ive noticed that from full, it used to take about 90kms for the first fuel gauge segment to disappear, but now it seems to take about 120kms? It still counts down the segments in a relatively uniform fashion till the yellow light comes on. I guess Ill just keep an eye on it and see how it goes.

Thanks again.