Running out of fuel.

[weavo]

Has anyone had any issues with running out of fuel with a 1200 Adv.
I ran out of fuel a few months ago. No yellow light the engine just cut out. Pulled into a lay-by and could hear some fuel slopping in the tank but could not get it going.
The BMW dealer said it had just run out fuel and fitted a new sender unit.
Today off to the dentist the yellow fuel light comes on and 4 miles later it runs out of fuel.
I used to reckon, on this and my previous GS, that you had about 50 miles once the yellow light came on.
Anyone had a similar problem or know what’s going on.

 

[trainman]

i once ran mine past the zero point on the reserve trip counter and it took several tankfuls to sort itself out and count down properely, its seemed to need to re learn the mpg!

i think others have had the same after running out, do a search on the forum

suggest you give it a few tanks before you decide to send it back to dealer?

 

[harry]

Has anyone had any issues with running out of fuel with a 1200 Adv.
I ran out of fuel a few months ago. No yellow light the engine just cut out. Pulled into a lay-by and could hear some fuel slopping in the tank but could not get it going.
The BMW dealer said it had just run out fuel and fitted a new sender unit.
Today off to the dentist the yellow fuel light comes on and 4 miles later it runs out of fuel.
I used to reckon, on this and my previous GS, that you had about 50 miles once the yellow light came on.
Anyone had a similar problem or know what’s going on.

Subscriber



Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Somerset, Great Britain
Posts: 84 Erratic fuel gauge, 2006 GSA

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My gauge has never been truly linear. But just lately it's taken a turn for the worse. It shows empty after maybe 200 miles (probably 10 litres left).

As I understand it, mine has an arm and float (did they change to a conductive strip for a while?). Could this be sticking? Or it a sensor problem? Or any other suggestions?

And which side is it? Any downsides to opening it up (e.g. resealing problems?)

Fuel pump controller's still good after 72,500 miles Don't want to disturb it if possible!

 

[harry]

Sorry, cocked that up, there are a few threads worth searching on ADV's running out of fuel.

 

[ihandyman247]

Has anyone had any issues with running out of fuel with a 1200 Adv.
I ran out of fuel a few months ago. No yellow light the engine just cut out. Pulled into a lay-by and could hear some fuel slopping in the tank but could not get it going.
The BMW dealer said it had just run out fuel and fitted a new sender unit.
Today off to the dentist the yellow fuel light comes on and 4 miles later it runs out of fuel.
I used to reckon, on this and my previous GS, that you had about 50 miles once the yellow light came on.
Anyone had a similar problem or know what’s going on.

Sorry to here about your problem , Never happend to me!
When I fill up I adjust the trip to 0000 and I know that ruffle will last me around 300 miles but I never let the tank go lower then 2 bars
I had much confidants on my 1150 GSA , I knew that when the red light comes on I can still ride ruffle 20 miles or more, that was a bike to relay on

 

[mcinlb]

I also must have one of the 'good' ones(hope I'm not tempting fate), The yellow light comes on at approx 45mls left on the dash and on filling it usually shows that there was around 4 ltrs left.
But, I don't know if it makes any difference, I always fill right up every time I put fuel in and it shows same on the dash.

 

[Nutty]

Sorry to here about your problem , Never happend to me!
When I fill up I adjust the trip to 0000 and I know that ruffle will last me around 300 miles but I never let the tank go lower then 2 bars
I had much confidants on my 1150 GSA , I knew that when the red light comes on I can still ride ruffle 20 miles or more, that was a bike to relay on

Exactly what I do. I really don't understand how anyone could possibly run out of fuel following this method. I NEVER look at my fuel gauge, just how many miles I did since last filling up. Haven't run out yet.

 

[LBL]

Exactly what I do. I really don't understand how anyone could possibly run out of fuel following this method. I NEVER look at my fuel gauge, just how many miles I did since last filling up. Haven't run out yet.

+1

what would we all do if we didn't have a light or fuel gauge ?

 

[Wapping]

what would we all do if we didn't have a light or fuel gauge ?

Moan like buggery that BMW hadn't fitted them on a premium priced, around the world motorcycle. If I really had to guess.

 

[Number 6]

Has anyone had any issues with running out of fuel with a 1200 Adv.
I ran out of fuel a few months ago. No yellow light the engine just cut out. Pulled into a lay-by and could hear some fuel slopping in the tank but could not get it going.

See here:-

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=286648

 

[Number 6]

Exactly what I do. I really don't understand how anyone could possibly run out of fuel following this method. I NEVER look at my fuel gauge, just how many miles I did since last filling up. Haven't run out yet.

You will when your fuel pump starts to fail

 

[1130cc]

Exactly the same happened to me, with only 260 miles on the trip.

Even after I knew it had run out of fuel, the level was half full, it had only been 2 bars 4 miles earlier.
The yellow triangle never came on.

A can of fuel later and it started straight off.

I keep meaning to put a can of fuel in the topbox, and then see how far I can go.

The dealer did change the sender, but I still don't trust it.
When I have more info they will look at what to do next. Probably a new fuel pump.

 

[weavo]

Have just read the thread.
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=286648
Lots of good stuff about the problem here.
From when I had the first problem I never ran the tank low enough to get near running out of fuel.
Plan of action is to keep a gallon in the top box and let it run out.
Then I will see how much fuel is needed to fill up.
I have a suspicion that there is several litres in the RH side.
Thanks for your replies.

 

[Bendy toy]

I've just bought an 08 GSA. Everything seems fine including the fuel gage counting down nicely. I pulled in for petrol with 40 miles range showing and put in just over 32 litres!!!

Note to me - Get up to speed with setting the miles trip.

 

[ihandyman247]

You will when your fuel pump starts to fail

Is more likely to damage the fuel pump by running low most off the time , I am not a expert but just using my commune sense , also it depends from where buy your fuel and what quality . I buy all my fuel from Shell top quality high grade octane never touch Tesco , Asda, etc. is diluted with lots off harmful crap but still meets 95 octane

 

[Bendy toy]

I think all 95 RON fuels come from the same depots. But the posh stuff does vary with octane boosters and whatever else they add.

Tesco Momentum has a higher octane (but probably nothing else) so should give even better mpg when the engine has a knock sensor.

I tend to use Shell and filled up this time with V-Power. In my car the increased MPG over (95 RON) easily offsets the costs and it drives better.

Hopefully the bike will benefit too.

 

[stolzy]

Running out of fuel

Is to be avoided on French autoroutes unless you want a chat with the gendermes

 

[Kamikaze]

You still heard fuel sloshing.
Lean bike over fully on left side for a few seconds. Stand up. It should start.

Why??? Don't know...just know it worked for me. I'm sure the technically capable will be along to explain.
Good job it worked as it's a very heavy bike to push miles through boggy woodland.

 

[Number 6]

You still heard fuel sloshing.
Lean bike over fully on left side for a few seconds. Stand up. It should start.

Why??? Don't know...just know it worked for me. I'm sure the technically capable will be along to explain.

Why???

Because your fuel pump is knackered and isn't returning fuel to the left side of the tank

 

[Pukmeister]

I'm sure the technically capable will be along to explain.

Simple really, the fuel pump lives on the left hand side of the tank, and takes its suction from that side.

The problem is that the fuel is returned to that side from the right side via a venturi jet pump, which can sometimes be problematic. Do a search on here and you'll learn all about it.