fackin fuel strips gone again
- Thread starter TLSgazza
- Start date
Its not really a problem in many ways but with the gsa's 33-36 litre tank I have had a difference of 120 miles or more to a tankful of fuel so having a working guage means I don't fill up when I've only used 23 or so litres but done 330 miles, or on another occasion having only done 280 miles and put in 33 litres.
It is a strip of electronics in the tank which gives you the fuel guage read out, it also gives you the range and triggers the low warning light.....errrr or not when it fails and as Bear says it leaves you stranded usually on a motorway or in the middle of nowhere. In my case the M42.
Bendy toy
Registered user
My GSA holds at least 35 litres which carry me for at least 350 miles on long runs but closer to 250 if doing short commuter rides. It's long enough for me to forget to check the trip do more likely to get caught than a bike with smaller tank.
The sensible fix would be a reserve fuel tap. But BWM have to be different for differences sake so we have a fuel strip.
Working properly they are great as the strip goes from tank top to very bottom giving accurate fuel level to the last litre.
Sadly they are unreliable, though to be fair not as nasty as the float gauge Yamaha used in many of their bikes.
The strip has a carbon conductive strip inside a Mylar sleeve. The strip heats when power is supplied the fuel conducts heat away so the electronics can infer the fuel level by the resistance. You can get 2 litre fuel bottles on eBay for not much money. If 20 miles reserve isn't enough buy two.
Big snag - the filler cap is only coke bottle size for a fun filled filling experience.
If anyone finds a 5 litre fuel bladder for sensible money that could be a good option.
The sensible fix would be a reserve fuel tap. But BWM have to be different for differences sake so we have a fuel strip.
Working properly they are great as the strip goes from tank top to very bottom giving accurate fuel level to the last litre.
Sadly they are unreliable, though to be fair not as nasty as the float gauge Yamaha used in many of their bikes.
The strip has a carbon conductive strip inside a Mylar sleeve. The strip heats when power is supplied the fuel conducts heat away so the electronics can infer the fuel level by the resistance. You can get 2 litre fuel bottles on eBay for not much money. If 20 miles reserve isn't enough buy two.
Big snag - the filler cap is only coke bottle size for a fun filled filling experience.
If anyone finds a 5 litre fuel bladder for sensible money that could be a good option.
Getting wierder, after it packing up last weekend I filled up again yesterday after doing 330 miles and it still said I had no fuel, I went out today and the fuel gauge said I had a full tank and the range made its way up from zero miles to 330 by the time I got to Wollastons Bmw, they have said they will still have it in on the 23rd to check it over though.
Bendy toy
Registered user
Zap the carbon strips with a piezo gas lighter. It sends a high voltage pulse down the carbon strips and fuses/carbonises any cracks. http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/fuel-strip-fix.844902/
Risky? No, because the zapper contacts are put across the carbon strip not between strip and earth and spark is sealed inside the mylar strip. But if in doubt do it with a full fuel tank. No oxygen = no ignition. Maybe that's always the best way - fuel cools any carbonised cracks so the effect is concentrated.
Risky? No, because the zapper contacts are put across the carbon strip not between strip and earth and spark is sealed inside the mylar strip. But if in doubt do it with a full fuel tank. No oxygen = no ignition. Maybe that's always the best way - fuel cools any carbonised cracks so the effect is concentrated.
Erm, I've got a 2year warranty on it so definitely not going to try anything like that.
I use one of these for back up (2.5 litres capacity)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151762545615?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
Bendy toy
Registered user
TBH, that's common sense, but we don't all have the warranty.
Just had my third one fitted ,the last one did 64 miles
40 miles of that is the distance from the dealers to home
Just had my third one fitted ,the last one did 64 miles
At least I got 4,000 out of mine since it was fitted 2 months ago, 64 miles is ridiculous.
Well @ least I now know how much to budget for a new fuel strip when I have mine replaced in the spring......what a bargain price for something that's khak!!!! 
I was under the impression BMW are doing replaicment strips on the 2010 models as curtesy, when they fail, as the tanks cannot be modified for the float system.
I wish.
They wouldn't even entertain the idea of doing a goodwill gesture on mine even though my last strip was only about 3 years or so ago.
Bendy toy
Registered user
Only in America. But we could get lucky.
lmg
Registered user
I tried calling BMW Motorad UK about the offer being made to the US owners - got a copy of the letter from a friend running GS's in the US - the UK head of customer services basically said "f*ck off we arent the same company".
Wasn't there a similar thread a while back and a dealer put on, BMW is doing a 10 year warranty on them, ? I do stand to be corrected.
lmg
Registered user
Thats the USA warranty -- and I think I may have started a thread a year or two ago when my 2009 GSA's fuel strip went "pop" on the way back from buying it.
From BMW UK:
========================================================
Thank you for your further email dated August 29, 2014 and for the requested information. I am sorry to learn of the issue you are having with the fuel level indictor, on your BMW R 1200 GS Adventure. I can certainly appreciate your frustration, especially as you have had to pay over £200 for work to be completed on your BMW.
I can assure you that the production standard of all our motorcycles is something that we pride ourselves on. We ensure that they are constructed to the highest build tolerances, utilising the best quality materials and leading edge technology. Every component undergoes rigorous testing before leaving our factories, to ensure that each unit conforms to our exacting standards. We are of course realistic and recognise that parts may unexpectedly fail. I am sure you can appreciate that no manufacturer can predict the longevity of any components used in their range, regardless of the distance they have covered or age.
Having read your correspondence, I acknowledge that you have been provided with information stating that BMW USA has issued a 12 years extended warranty campaign on the fuel level indictor. As I am sure you can appreciate, BMW USA, like the UK, is a subsidiary of The BMW Marque. As a result, they are responsible for any action that they deem necessary in relation to their own market and the vehicles sold therein. Therefore, any campaigns communicated to the US market will have no bearing on UK specification bikes.
From reading the content of your correspondence, it is not clear who made the diagnosis. I can however confirm that, BMW UK operates a generous goodwill policy and will support each customer on a goodwill basis. Therefore, if the inspection has been undertaken by an approved dealer, they would have been in a position already to consider whether assistance was available to support the repair costs. However, we cannot endorse or vouch for the diagnosis of a third party, the method and the components used as part of the repair. Hence, BMW UK would not contribute towards any work that may be carried out on your BMW by an independent garage.
As your satisfaction is paramount, it is disheartening to receive feedback of this nature. Your comments have been duly noted and recorded under the above case number.
Once again, thank you for contacting BMW UK. I trust this information is of support to you. Should you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely
BMW UK
Claire Jackson
Customer Service Executive
Ellesfield Avenue
Bracknell RG12 8TA
Tel: +44 (0)370 5050 160
Fax: +44 (0)370 5050 205
Mailto: [email protected]
lmg
Registered user
This was also a nice statement from BMW UK:
=============================
Thank you for your further email dated September 8, 2014, in relation to the fuel level system on your BMW R 1200 GS Adventure.
I appreciate that you are requesting goodwill towards the issue with your fuel level system. Having reviewed this case thoroughly, it is with regret that we are unable to provide financial assistance on this occasion, due to age and purchase history.
I acknowledge that you feel this is a common fault however, BMW UK collates failure reports, part order information and customer feedback to determine if there is an inherent failure with a specific component. I have checked our records and found that the issue you mention has not been highlighted as a common issue. No remedial action has, therefore, been issued in the form of a recall or quality enhancement to be carried out free of charge. I can assure you that safety is considered paramount at BMW UK and if this had been the case we would have recalled all relevant vehicles for a repair free of charge.
In closing, I am sorry to learn that this matter has caused you to contact us. I trust that this has clarified our position. Please feel free to contact me, should you have any future queries.
Yours sincerely
BMW UK
Claire Jackson
Customer Service Executive
Ellesfield Avenue
Bracknell RG12 8TA
Tel: +44 (0)370 5050 160
Fax: +44 (0)370 5050 205
Mailto: [email protected]
URL: www.bmw.co.uk
=============================
Thank you for your further email dated September 8, 2014, in relation to the fuel level system on your BMW R 1200 GS Adventure.
I appreciate that you are requesting goodwill towards the issue with your fuel level system. Having reviewed this case thoroughly, it is with regret that we are unable to provide financial assistance on this occasion, due to age and purchase history.
I acknowledge that you feel this is a common fault however, BMW UK collates failure reports, part order information and customer feedback to determine if there is an inherent failure with a specific component. I have checked our records and found that the issue you mention has not been highlighted as a common issue. No remedial action has, therefore, been issued in the form of a recall or quality enhancement to be carried out free of charge. I can assure you that safety is considered paramount at BMW UK and if this had been the case we would have recalled all relevant vehicles for a repair free of charge.
In closing, I am sorry to learn that this matter has caused you to contact us. I trust that this has clarified our position. Please feel free to contact me, should you have any future queries.
Yours sincerely
BMW UK
Claire Jackson
Customer Service Executive
Ellesfield Avenue
Bracknell RG12 8TA
Tel: +44 (0)370 5050 160
Fax: +44 (0)370 5050 205
Mailto: [email protected]
URL: www.bmw.co.uk
I've seen the U.S. One, but I thought there was a result in the UK, perhaps it's only mine then 
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