Fuel Pump Controllers again...!

[Andy B]

Forgive me if this has been asked before - I couldn't find a thread to that effect.

Is it not beyond the wit of the UKGSer brethren to have designed and manufactured a gaiter that would fit over said controller and stop water getting in?

How many people remember water getting into the coil of early Minis because it was mounted on the front of the engine open to anything that came through the front grill? BL did a rubber gaiter to cover it, and my memory is that it worked pretty well.

I accept that we shouldn't have to do this, and that BMW should address the problem properly, but on the basis there is no indication at the moment they will, what about a bit of self help?

Any designers prepared to step forward?

 

[wilbjr21]

Please spare me ........ not another thread !!!

And for the last time ............. it's not caused by water !!!!!

 

[Mr K]

Please spare me ........ not another thread !!!

And for the last time ............. it's not caused by water !!!!!

+1

It is caused by the FPC not working... mainly when you're somewhere innaccessible, like Waternish on the Isle of Skye/Ooonyakistan...

My FPC and surrounding area was swathed in ACF50 and as dry as one could expect of a bike parked on a cliff, overnight by the sea in above location.



Can't really moan after 42,000+ miles ... except the feckin' price

 

[Schtum]

And for the last time ............. it's not caused by water !!!!!

Yours might not have been caused by water but mine certainly was. The gasket on the DM pump controller wasn't properly fitted at the factory so the recess below the controller filled up with a mixture of water and some petrochemicals which rotted the connector to the controller and corroded the contacts on it. This led to the controller failing.

 

[Andy B]

Okay - so I was half right.

For the benefit of the ignoramus round here (me!) would some please explain what is causing the reasons for failure other than water?

 

[wilbjr21]

+1

It is caused by the FPC not working... mainly when you're somewhere innaccessible, like Waternish on the Isle of Skye/Ooonyakistan...

My FPC and surrounding area was swathed in ACF50 and as dry as one could expect of a bike parked on a cliff, overnight by the sea in above location.



Can't really moan after 42,000+ miles ... except the feckin' price

Sorry I wasn't with you this time Chris - work again. As you know I would have had my spare with me (got two now thanks to World of BMW)

Yours might not have been caused by water but mine certainly was. The gasket on the DM pump controller wasn't properly fitted at the factory so the recess below the controller filled up with a mixture of water and some petrochemicals which rotted the connector to the controller and corroded the contacts on it. This led to the controller failing

.

I've actually never had a failure and done 80,000 miles on four GSs. I have assisted with three failures. Your's was obviously a one-off from your description. As you probably know early models were subject to a recall for the gasket change. Most failures seem to be with the electronics in the unit.

 

[(RIP) Arkwright]

The same fuel pump controller is used on both the 1200RT as well as the 800S/ST, amongst others and neither of these appear to suffer from the same rate of failure!

The new 1200GS has had the water problem addressed by relocation/drains.

Most of the 1200GS failures have witness marks indicating water ingress so treating with ACF 50 and Vaseline/Silicon Grease will do no harm and may help both on the fpc itself as well as the terminals on the fuel pump.

Duncan

 

[wilbjr21]

The same fuel pump controller is used on both the 1200RT as well as the 800S/ST, amongst others and neither of these appear to suffer from the same rate of failure!

The new 1200GS has had the water problem addressed by relocation/drains.

Most of the 1200GS failures have witness marks indicating water ingress so treating with ACF 50 and Vaseline/Silicon Grease will do no harm and may help both on the fpc itself as well as the terminals on the fuel pump.

Duncan

Disagree with your conclusions - except for the bit that anti corrosion treatments will do no harm

The things seem to burn out either through an ineffective heat sink or poor electonics.

Is this meant to be insulting ?

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

Making a cover/boot thing would help if water is the problem. If overheating is the problem, it would make things worse. If the problem is just poor quality electronics, it'd make no difference.

As no-one seems to know definitively what the issue is, you just have to take your choice.

Personally, I would appreciate BMW telling us all what the problem is so we could take an informed decision about how we might mitigate against failure. But as that would mean them admitting that there was a problem, I'm not holding my breath.

(PS I'm in the "coating the seal with silicone grease" camp. Makes me feel that at least I'm doing something. )

 

[snoopy]

Chris or does anyone want to send me a knackered one - I'm pretty good with electronics and should be able to disassemble and find the problem. I'd prefer one not damaged by water ingresion.

Only gunna help with it cause my upcoming 1200 is in the pipeline.

 

[(RIP) Arkwright]

Disagree with your conclusions - except for the bit that anti corrosion treatments will do no harm

The things seem to burn out either through an ineffective heat sink or poor electonics.

Is this meant to be insulting ?

These are not my conclusions - they come from a BMW dealership!

BMW have obviously concluded that there is a water problem - hence the redesign!

Of course it's not an insult! All my posts are signed off thus - it's supposed to be a bit of fun! Please accept my apologies if you are offended!

Duncan

 

[cookie]

Chris or does anyone want to send me a knackered one - I'm pretty good with electronics and should be able to disassemble and find the problem. I'd prefer one not damaged by water ingresion.

Only gunna help with it cause my upcoming 1200 is in the pipeline.

electronics are potted inside a hollow heat sink. doubt you'd be able to do much of an autopsy.

 

[snoopy]

Oh I'll get them out no problem.

Anyone want to donate a knackered one?

 

[wilbjr21]

From Arkwright2007:

BMW have obviously concluded that there is a water problem - hence the redesign

There is no recent re-design. Early contollers have a different fin pattern to the later ones - but this was done ages ago.

The '08 1200 GSA tank location is exactly the same and doesn't even come with a cover.

Are you saying that water gets under the gasket into the well? If so this is not supported by the findings on Tim's thread.

Are you saying that water gets into the top connector?

Are you saying that water gets into the potted unit?

Just wish the problem was water.

Snoopy:

Have a hunt around advrider as there was a photo of one with burnt out electronics a while ago.

You could consider my '06 GSA from Cooper for your purchase ... was a good 'un

 

[wilbjr21]

Snoopy:

Just for you - post No 11

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57153&highlight=fuel+pump+controller

 

[ebbo]

Snoopy:

Just for you - post No 11

http://www.advrider.com/forums/sho&highlight=fuel+pump+controllerwthread.php?t=57153

Tried twice, Link not working, can you try again?

I spoketh too soon, Now working...

 

[snoopy]

Wasn't that the one you traded in before the last one?

Looks like the deal is done on a 1200...

 

[wilbjr21]

Wasn't that the one you traded in before the last one?

Yes that's the one

Looks like the deal is done on a 1200...

I hope you've done your homework on it .......

 

[snoopy]

That should be easier to solve than I thought, the electronics are simple. Will need a one that has failed NOT because of water though.

 

[wilbjr21]

Wasn't that the one you traded in before the last one?

Looks like the deal is done on a 1200...

Yes that's the one

ANY 1200 has got to be better than the infamous DRZ