Fuel Leak Help

[ceeby]

Hi, have done a search for this and couldn't find the answer, so any help appreciated.

Have new R1200GS, just came back from a week away and straight back out on the bike (only done about 120 miles so far).

Filled up for the first time today, and rode back from garage (approx 20 miles), bike in garage on centre stand, just gone back in there and there is a bad smell of petrol and a puddle of fuel under the left hand side.

Is this a problem or have I done something wrong??

Cheers

 

[DavidHolmes]

Its a problem if you smoke.

If it was me, I would be calling BMW assist to have it trailered to the dealer.

 

[GSmonkey]

The tank breather comes down on the left hand side and exits just next to the gear selector.....was the puddle there or further forward??

 

[ceeby]

Its coming from further forward, actually dripping off the exhaust!

Sounds like a trailer is the sensible option...

 

[Dutchman]

Self help.....

Remove left body panel.

Remove round slotted cover on the top/front of fuel tank.

You will see a quick release fuel connector....check to see that it is clipped fully home...if it's not fuel will spill into the hollow area below until it overflows onto the side of the fuel tank & the left exhaust header.

Might save you the inconvenience of a recovery......

Cheers

Dutch

 

[Marco]

first of all check if you have correctly locked the petrol cap as on the demo bike and now on my bike I found that it is not so easy to lock it; you can easily think that it is properly closed but it is probably not and there is therefore a small gap which may cause a tiny fuel leak

 

[Tobers]

If you fill up and really brim the tank, then only ride a short distance and get off the bike, the heat from the engine can pressurise the fuel tank (somehow - dont ask me how - maybe it makes the air in it expand or something), resulting in fuel being forced out of the overflow.

Happens on lots of bikes, not just the GS.

Obviously, its worth checking for leaks too but I reckon the above is the most likely cause.

 

[ceeby]

Thanks for your suggestions all, I have a technician coming round at mid-day, I will let you know what it was, meanwhile..no fags...!!

 

[Alphason]

Thanks for your suggestions all, I have a technician coming round at mid-day, I will let you know what it was, meanwhile..no fags...!!

No fags? Who you calling a fag?

 

[ceeby]

Well!, technician just gone, removed side panel, and the corner of the fuel tank wasn't moulded properly!, hence more than 2/3rds full of fuel, and you get a nice stream of unleaded leaking onto the exhaust header!

Bike is now being sent back to the dealers for repair, not a happy first 106 miles!

 

[RobC]

Must be a Friday afternoon after a boozy lunch bike

Seriously though, was the fault obvious or could it have been missed by QA?

 

[ceeby]

I think the fault would have only shown up if the tank was more than 2/3 full, although the fact that a fuel tank can be so thin in the corner (in a position where it drips directly onto the exhaust) is a bit concering!

Still, can't fault the service so far, technician here within two hours, recovery within another hour, bike at the dealers who hope to have the replacement fitted by tomorrow, so if I get it back tomorrow that won't be such a pain!

 

[birdseye]

Must be a Friday afternoon after a boozy lunch bike

Seriously though, was the fault obvious or could it have been missed by QA?

Had the same problem when I bought my wife an Austin Metro (yes I am that old) . Arrived back from the dealers with the new car and it pissed 2 galls of best leaded all over the garage floor round the gas boiler.

Nice to know my new GS is built with that same attention to detail.

 

[ceeby]

looks like I am without my new bike for a week or so

 

[Fanum]

looks like I am without my new bike for a week or so

Presumably they've given you a loaner though???


Sorry to hear of the fault with the tank...never heard anyrthing similar though here or on Advrider, so you gave the privelege of being a one off

 

[Mike Peers]

Yesterday I brimmed the bike (05 GS 2500 miles). When I got home, about a mile from the petrol station I realised I hadn't locked the fuel flap down, there was ( not surprisingly) a strong smell of fuel and it had leaked down the left inside of the bike, dripping onto the hot exhaust. Anyway rode 75 miles today and it stank as did I of petrol. I got it home and washed it thoroughly loads of water to wash away any pertrol that may be trapped in nooks and crannies. Pushed it into the garage and put it onto the side stand only to discover more petrol dripping onto the exhaust. It looks like a leak to me from the left hand side, or is it too much of a coincidence after leaving the flap open?.

 

[ceeby]

Take off the side panels and check the corners of the tank, may be a weak point like on mine

 

[Mike Peers]

Started the bike today with the intention of riding to a friends then on to work. No smell of fuel which was good.. until I started it. Then petrol was p*****g all over the left downpipe. BMW recovery on the way leaving me without a bike (although they did offer me a car). However, I'd rather have this problem now than in eight days when i am going on a 10 bike trip to Ireland. I'll be gutted if I can't take the GS.

 

[Mike Peers]

So a recovery agent for BMW turns up with an enormous flatbed recovery truck "they didn't say it was a bike, I'm not taking responsibility if it falls over". Phone Sawbridgeworth to ask if they have a loaner for me if I accompany the bike and they don't. If I used the bike as my primary mode of transport I'd be livid. At the moment I'm just dissapointed. As I said they offered to lend me a car, but I have two of those and I don't want to give Ken Livingstone a penny more than I have to. So I guess I'll be pushing the bike back into the garage and catching the train. Hey ho.