oilcan
Registered user
My plastic fuel tank on my 1100gs has started to bubble. I'm aware that BMW offered a free replacement under warranty for this and was wondering if it would still apply to mine as it's the original tank?
1100GS Plastic tank bubbling!
- Thread starter oilcan
- Start date
I reckon you'll get a new metal tank, which colour................sir
oilcan
Registered user
I take it that's a non starter then? Worth a punt I thought!
oilcan
Registered user
Does anyone know why its suddenly started to bubble? Should it cause me any concern in so much as will it start to leak if left unattended? Can it be repaired?
Thanks.
Thanks.
My 94 plastic tank is also bubbling:
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nIaFJI-Nj_dmNirvFCGL50OOAeJkWHiivqDz0FeWdvU?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_SSn2CtCOKnU/SwF-6JNLPuI/AAAAAAAACZY/LO31fciekvE/s800/tank1.jpg" height="800" width="600" /></a>
Apparently all owners were offered an exchange steel tank but as they're smaller than the plastic tanks, many turned them down (it only happened to a small number of bikes).
So I think the original owner of your bike decided he didn't want BMW's nice new steel one and as it's was a one time offer I think you're not going to have much joy.
But.....
Ask them anyway and tell us what they say
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nIaFJI-Nj_dmNirvFCGL50OOAeJkWHiivqDz0FeWdvU?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_SSn2CtCOKnU/SwF-6JNLPuI/AAAAAAAACZY/LO31fciekvE/s800/tank1.jpg" height="800" width="600" /></a>
Apparently all owners were offered an exchange steel tank but as they're smaller than the plastic tanks, many turned them down (it only happened to a small number of bikes).
So I think the original owner of your bike decided he didn't want BMW's nice new steel one and as it's was a one time offer I think you're not going to have much joy.
But.....
Ask them anyway and tell us what they say
Mine's just started over the last couple of months. Seems strange when it was perfect until then. Cold winter perhaps? A bit cheesed off really 
Change in fuel makeup???
Just had a warning about the stopping of red diesel for boats etc and the possible consequences. Don't think tank bubbling ever caused any health probs. Far more fumes when filling up tank but not under a coat of paint.
Just had a warning about the stopping of red diesel for boats etc and the possible consequences. Don't think tank bubbling ever caused any health probs. Far more fumes when filling up tank but not under a coat of paint.
Mine started about a year ago after I'd used it on a really hot day where it had spent a few hours parked in full sun. It pi**ed me off at the time but it's a 16 year old bike and while it's tidy for its age, the showroom gloss has started to wear off
I've actually got a brand new red steel tank which I haven't got found to fitting yet .
BTW As far as i know, the bubbles are just the paint coming away from the tank and aren't due to fuel penetration. However, I haven't popped a bubble to find out
....
I've actually got a brand new red steel tank which I haven't got found to fitting yet .
BTW As far as i know, the bubbles are just the paint coming away from the tank and aren't due to fuel penetration. However, I haven't popped a bubble to find out
....oilcan
Registered user
Can they be rubbed down and repainted the same as steel tanks? Are there any special paints or processes that need to be used and/or followed as they are plastic in order to achieve great results?
Splat
Guest
I'd be interested in the answer....
DutchBryn
Registered user
http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/11/19/Ducati.pdf
Class Action in US by Ducati owners. Said to be due to high ethenol fuel.
UK petrol is different to theirs. So just out of interest. I imagine.
oilcan
Registered user
Do a search on the internet for tank sealer, which is applied inside the tank
Sorry if I seem a bit thick here, but how would it be applied, inside the tank?
Trullion
Registered user
I was interested in this as my RS has a plastic tank. Apparently there was an article in Motorrad, where they asked BMW whether or not fuel with 10% or more ethanol content (which is already in the USA and on the continent and is, I believe, coming here) would harm their bikes. The answer given was no. It won't affect BMWs - though it will affect certain Jap bikes, depending when they were made. I don't know whether or not this is true (well, they would say that wouldn't they), but on the face of it ethanol at 10% should be ok, at least in terms of not damaging the plastic BMW tanks, if not in performance terms.
Don't mean to be rude but assume you've already searched the internet where you'll find more detailed info.
Basically it's a solution poured into the tank and by moving the tank around coats the inside and sets
oilcan
Registered user
Yeah I did have a look and see what you mean, all the sealers I found are not recommended for plastic. Can anyone suggest a suitable sealer please?
Don't mean to be rude but assume you've already searched the internet where you'll find more detailed info.
Basically it's a solution poured into the tank and by moving the tank around coats the inside and sets
Jesus
What makes you think you need a sealer?
Everything I've read about the 1100 plastic tank bubbling points to the paint de-laminating from the surface of the tank due to either a dodgy paint process or perhaps just the tank material.
I've not heard that it's due to fuel penetration (which is probably why you can't find a sealer for plastic tanks).
If you want to know one way or another, pop a bubble...
well I put this into google ....." plastic fuel tank sealer"
The second thing to come up was this
http://www.ehow.com/how_5526913_seal-plastic-gas-tank.html
Over to you
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