2006 Adventure fuel gauge woes

[haydw]

I had the tank off my 2006 adventure recently and on putting it back on and filling with a full tank of fuel the gauge read full, then half way, back to full, and then on reserve.

I have looked at the readout values on a GS911 and reset any fault codes - it did have a fault code with reading a non-sensical voltage value.

I have about 1/3 of a tank of fuel in and on the centre stand the fuel light came on with a range of 50 miles - the voltage reading on real time values is 0.14v

I have had a look at the fuel strip reset and my bike doesn't have one. It must be a level indicator.

Any ideas why it would be misreading?

 

[patzx12]

They all go wonky, lots of info on here if you do a search. I read something about a recall as well but not sure, its a long time since i owned an 06. Someone will be along shortly.
If you do end up on the side of the road out off fuel, tip the bike over and a bit will slosh over,

 

[Greenman14]

You might want to start using the trip meter and work on 10 miles to the litre: the maths is easy and the trip meter is reliable, unlike the fuel gauge. No doubt the fuel gauge and range reading can be fixed but can you be arsed?

 

[Daddy2coull]

the fuel strips in the tank are complete poo. i had a new one fitted at the end of a 2nd hand warranty and a month later it was knackered. In the US they keep changing them for free out of warranty. In the UK BMW say they know nothing of this.

there is a trick with a full tank and a piezzo lighter, try googling that. i've done it once and it's worked.

 

[Bendy toy]

This should help http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?69470-Fuel-strip-zapper

Ive recently bought a Give Tan-01 fuel can. It's 2.5 litres and will fit into the RHS side case frame. I just need to make brackets. A bike with 35litre tank needs it because it's all too easy to forget about fuel when you are not filling avery 100 miles.

This is the way to remove the yellow triangle http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=770296&page=3

Has anyone tried chipping away the hard resin where the sensor strip exits the mounting plate? This seems to be where the internal tracks fail. If the resin was cut away before zapping then use a petrol proof rubber to pot the top end. Perhaps a metal spring support will reduce the point flexing.

Silicone is unlikely to cope, but maybe someone in the know can suggest a flexible petrol proof compound to do the job.

 

[Kenny Rodkiss]

Op says he does not have a sensor strip so must have the more robust arm and wiper type.
He has had the tank off so has maybe dislodged the transfer pump pipe which hangs down on the fuel pump/level sensor side.
This will stop the float arm moving freely??

 

[haydw]

I cleared all the fault codes yesterday prior to going out on the bike - I brimmed the tank again yesterday and it now appears to be working.

I think I needed to reset, then fill with fuel again- it seems a bit odd though that it would read wrong and the fault be not present, only stored. Still, it seems to be OK now. For how long.....

 

[Bendy toy]

The fuel strip is two carbon tracks inside a mylar sleeve. One warms the track the other measures resistance. More fuel = less warming so the level can be calculated.

Reports say the strips fail where they are epoxy potted into the mounting plate. Any bending happens all at one point. The Piezo zapping method rejoins the carbon tracks but does not solve the fundamental design fault.

Does anyone know of a petrol proof flexible mastic that could replace the hard epoxy?

 

[er-minio]

In the UK BMW say they know nothing of this.

My fuels strip failed 6 months ago or so.
It was replaced previously by the previous owner of the bike 4 years ago.

BMW quoted me on the replacement. They also stated that you get 1 year warranty on them (as all spare parts) and "most fail within the year, so you'll keep having them replaced for free".
Not exactly the best solution, but seems to me they know very well about it

 

[Bendy toy]

Some people have strip after strip. Others have better luck making me wonder how much is down to poor handling when the parts are fitted.

 

[er-minio]

No idea, but it is exactly the same the dealer told me, since the previous strip lasted years.