Another fuel leak problem - advice please

[se7en]

Last used the bike (1150 GSA SE) 10 days ago. Following day there was a bit of a petrol whiff in the garage - put that down to, er, fully exercising the bike the day before

Have been away since then but found the petrol smell was still there.

Inspection shows a leak from a fuel union just above the Telelever pivot and I know there have been problems in the GS community before but I've seen nothing like this corrosive effect on the Telelever finish - see pics.

Ordinary Esso 95RON, no additives.

Can anyone tell me what the previous BM recall was for and for which bikes/engine nos etc.?

I didn't get any recall notice (registered Nov 05) and I wonder whether I have any recourse after all this time.

Would appreciate any comments. I'll be out this eve (or even more ) so apologies if I don't respond to any queries immediately but any help gratefully received!

 

[zdaveuk]

dont know about any recall etc .

Take the joint apart and there is a small rubber seal around the male part of the joint check to see this has nt got a nick in it or deteriotated a quick temporay fix to prevent further loss of fuel wrap some plumbers tape around it before rejoining it

 

[Stewart H]

My bike does not have the right angled QD connector, but that beige/white one looks suspiciously like the old style fragile type, whereas the black straight one looks like the newer one.
I believe the O rings in them can get old or nicked by the other half of the connector on assembly, one of my old type ones snapped when I was taking it apart leaving me like the little boy with his finger in the dyke
I have also replaced all of those awful single use type clips with proper circular fuel injection hose clamps.
Hope this helps.
Stewart

 

[Decster]

Probably just the clip as they are pooh...

 

[The smudger]

It'll be the 'o' ring. You can get them from BMW for about 1.00 each. Has the tank been off recently? They get damaged when you put them back together usually, try to push the union together dead straight, if you know what i mean.

Have you tried wiping that petrol off? looks like it's lifted the laquer to me, might polish off?

Modern fuel is very aggresive, still it might clean up

Steve.

 

[se7en]

Thanks for your comments guys.

Since my bike was one of the last SEs I would like to think BM had replaced any "suspect" unions with proper ones by then but perhaps that's just wishful thinking.

Guess I was also hoping there had been a recall for this issue that I hadn't been informed of so that I could claim re the Telelever finish because it has been totally screwed after only 10days of fuel weeping.

In 36 year's of biking I've never seen things deteriorate so badly (or so quickly) on any bike.

I'll still go back to my original dealer but won't hold out much hope.

 

[se7en]

It'll be the 'o' ring. You can get them from BMW for about 1.00 each. Has the tank been off recently? They get damaged when you put them back together usually, try to push the union together dead straight, if you know what i mean.

Have you tried wiping that petrol off? looks like it's lifted the laquer to me, might polish off?

Modern fuel is very aggresive, still it might clean up

Steve.

Smudger,

The tank hasn't been off for about 2 years and you're right the lacquer has bubbled and lifted - irretrievably. The yellow/green will largely come off but the lacquer has gone completely matt (like sandblasting) in one area and lifted/bubbled elsewhere. No way will it clean up.

Guess the answer is to change all the union rings and hose clips as a matter of course before this happens...but why should we have to?

Shame such a good bike can be spoiled by such trivial details

 

[DrFarkoff]

there was a recall in 2004 for insufficently secured fuel pipe clips

 

[se7en]

there was a recall in 2004 for insufficently secured fuel pipe clips

Thanks for the info - I'll see how I get on with the dealer.

After a few bevvies last night I'm a little more philosophical this morning!

The cylinder head paint is yellowing and lifting anyway (unrelated) and there's other paint/ally problems around so what's another blemish? I can't see the paint when I'm riding so I'll just have to ride more

 

[project9928]

I've just had a similar problem with mine. I just replaced the metal clip with a jubilee clip and it seems to have done the job. Although my leak is coming from the hose and connector join.

 

[Stewart H]

I've just had a similar problem with mine. I just replaced the metal clip with a jubilee clip and it seems to have done the job. Although my leak is coming from the hose and connector join.

Better off using proper fuel injection type clips, in the small sizes needed here jubilee clips are a definite D shape.
Stewart

 

[project9928]

Better off using proper fuel injection type clips, in the small sizes needed here jubilee clips are a definite D shape.
Stewart

I only had a jubilee clip avalible at the time. I'm considering changing the hose's at some point so I'll gets some proper clips then.

Cheers.