Fuel strip - for info;

[Theonionman]

Just for info all, many of you may already know but for those that don't - last November (2013) my fuel strip gave up so following the guidance on this forum I modified a piezo igniter and zapped the guilty strip.
Well the fix has lasted 12 months, (about 2000 miles - "should get out more" I know!!). It's failed again this week. So I zapped it again this morning and hey presto, all is well again. Don't know how long this might last but if the process is repeatable every 12 months, I'll keep the £200 in my back pocket thanks

 

[seahorse]

I did mine a few months ago and have repeated a couple of times. I have now got the yellow warning light again and this time the zapper hasn't worked. It will stay that way now as I have no intention of forking out for a new strip. Still, for the cost of making up my zapper (about three quid) it was worth a try. Other people have had longer lasting results so I guess its just luck of the draw really.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

I thought everything past midway 2010 used a float instead of the strip?

 

[Deleted account 200502001]

Are there any guides for doing this?

 

[cookie]

I thought everything past midway 2010 used a float instead of the strip?

september IIRC. 2010 anyway.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

september IIRC. 2010 anyway.

That's what I thought.

 

[Rocketman]

I'm gonna try this fix in the spring as benhams bmw in wolves. Wanted 250 just a couple of weeks ago when my 08 was in for a outstanding recall .
But I just couldn't bring myself to part with my hard earned

 

[Bendy toy]

Why not DIY fit the new fuel strip.

 

[bisbee]

Why not DIY fit the new fuel strip.

If you have done this put some pictures up

 

[RonnieG]

Why not DIY fit the new fuel strip.

Do you not need access to a GS911? or similar to re-calibrate the new fuel strip after installation?

I do not know anyone locally with one and when I asked the local Motorrad Dealer Douglas Park in East Kilbride in Scotland they said they would sell me a fuel strip ok but would not calibrate it for me if I fitted it myself. They would only calibrate the new fuel strip if they fitted it.

 

[Bendy toy]

I don't know those answers.
But the ££s a main dealer charges to fit and calibrate would go a long way towards a GS-911.
ATM I'm living with the fuel warning but if a zapper doesn't work I'll fit the full fuel spoofing resistors.

 

[Bendy toy]

I'd be interested to see how (in)accurate a new strip is
1 uncalibrated
2 calibrated.
Fuel gauges (that work) are only ever an indicator but they are consistent. So how bad is an uncalibrated fuel strip?

 

[Beemerman59]

I've fitted a new fuel strip and calibrated it with a GS911. It's as accurate in my opinion as it can be for what is a system with a few variables. How long the new strip lasts is another matter. As you have to calibrate the strip out of the tank which means removal of the fuel pump I didn't bother trying it out before calibrating but it would work, it would just be a gamble as to how accurately. I paid £110 for the new strip so it seems dealers are charging upwards of £100 to fit, so that's half the price of a second hand GS911. If you do your own servicing anyway its a no brainer.

 

[Pukmeister]

My new strip still has a years warranty, if it fails outside this I plan to DIY it with my GS911. To be fair, the replacement cost £200 last time so labour costs aren't extortion as the job took 2 hours and the part alone is £100.

I probably drank £10 in coffee and biscuits at BMW rates


Sent via my iThingumabob

 

[Deleted account 200502001]

I paid £170 for BMW dealer to replace my fuel strip, and came with 2 yr guarantee.

 

[Theonionman]

My fuel sensor is haunted! Potted history - many moons ago sensor failed and was fixed with a piezo zapper. Lasted 12 months them same again - failed, zapped, OK for another 12 months. Third time unlucky, zapper didn't work so resigned myself to riding around using tripmeter and putting up with the golden triangle (warning light - keep up). Several weeks later needed to remove tank to route some new (USB) cables, tank was half full so a lot of sloshing occurred whilst taking tank from garage to shed, then back again when cables were fitted. Then the spooky bit, once all reassembled the fuel sensor is resurrected !! No more yellow light and the display seems to reflect the amount in the tank. So that's the answer, if your sensor fails, just whip the tank off and give it a goodish shake - save yourself £200, happy days.

 

[Bendy toy]

The whole setup is weird and over complicated. The fuel pump controller limits the pump output by pulsing the supply. At about 1/4 full down to empty the fuel pump runs at a hight mark/space ratio so the pump runs harder. That gives enough return fuel flow to empty the fuel tank RHS. All fine and dandy until the controller goes titsup or the pump gets weak or the fuel strip does what fuel strips do.

I zapped my fuel strip but it didn't last long. I removed the strip and fitted a sliding float type sender driving an aftermarket gauge. That does a great job of telling me where my fuel level is. But, the pump is getting old and the system no longer boosts its power so I get fuel trapped on the tank RHS. I need a new fuel pump but will see what a pump bypass wire does regarding tank emptying.

BTW The the fuel strip can't be removed without taking out the fuel pump. It's easy enough (with tank at low fuel level) and lets you do any calibrations with the strip dry (i.e. outside the petrol tank).

 

[The bigun]

Mine drops to just over half full then the display stays there showing this till tank is empty and yes it's caught me out sat at side of road run out of fuel on a bike with a big F off tank Question is is this a fuel strip out of calibration or can they fail and do this bike is a 09 gsa

 

[Pukmeister]

Mine drops to just over half full then the display stays there showing this till tank is empty and yes it's caught me out sat at side of road run out of fuel on a bike with a big F off tank ��Question is is this a fuel strip out of calibration or can they fail and do this bike is a 09 gsa

If that happens again try leaning the bike as far over to the left as you dare. Chances are the fuel will flow from right to left tank wings and allow you to restart and head to a petrol station.

 

[bhud]

Can a 2008 be changed from the strip to the float?