Second breakdown in 2 months

[Peter Reilly]

I have now had to call out the breakdown service twice for my 1200GS.
First, in December, was due to a flat battery. According to the dealer (Battersea), the software was not turning off all circuits when the key was removed, hence flat battery. This seems to be common fault and a software upgrade was supposed to sort it.
Bike let me down again on Wednesday. The battery seemed fine, the engine would fire but would immediately cut out. I got it the engine to fire about 4 times out of 20 or so attempts before the battery died, but each time it fired it just died again.
The breakdown guy (SOS motorcycles, not BMW) said that they were recovering lots of 1200GS's as it was much less reliable than the 1150GS I sold to buy the 1200.....
The breakdown guy blamed the battery but surely if there is enough juice to get the engine to fire, then the alternator should kick in and keep it turning over. Will dump the bike off with Battersea for surgery but any suggestions/ remedies appreciated.

Cheers

Peter

 

[ktmmark]

fuel pressure maybe no flat battery as you say' we have recovered a lot of triumphs that have locked up the engine (have had a run for some reason ) but no bmws

 

[GSmonkey]

...that sounded like what happend to mine after the fuel pump went pop. I didn't drain the battery though, as I'd just cut out on me big time, so I knew something was seriously wrong.

 

[Fanum]

Side stand switch

 

[FATBOY]

Mine cut the fuel off too. While I was overtaking a car, which was nice. Turns out to be a seal that doesn't seal, that protects the fuel pump can-bus thingy.
They said the new seal (after recall) are green, which solves the problem.
Ahem, mine WAS the green one...
Good luck mate.

 

[Peter Reilly]

Yes, it was the fuel pump, or more accurately a small electronic part on top of the pump. The BMW emergency service guy came round, replaced this little component and the bike started immediately. I was amazed that he carried a spare, which obviously suggests that these parts are known to fail. Mine already had the latest seal and there was no sign of corrosion. (According to the technician, the earlier seal allowed corrosion and hence failure).
Thanks for your comments, they were very helpful. I suggested fuel pump to the technician when he arrived and he immediately knew what to do.

 

[FATBOY]

Glad you got sorted Peter. The chap who came to mine "just happened" to be carrying a spare part for this too. Obvious conclusion then.
It shouldn't happen on even a pretend "trail bike" though should it?

 

[Jimb]

Peter

2 Breakdowns in 2 months, sounds about right.

 

[Steptoe]

"Second breakdown in 2 months"

Not sure if this is a complaint or faint praise .

 

[Geoff]

Fuel Seal Problems

My 18-months old, 24,000 mile R1200GS died abruptly on the M25 the other morning. Had it not been 0740 with three lanes of snail-pace traffic I might have terminated with it too. The sudden and without-warning power loss was caused by a faulty fuel seal allowing water in to corrode the petrol pump. There's no surging such as you might get when running out of juice, you don't know until it starves the engine. Imagine that happening at speed, on a brisk overtake or mid bend!

I had recieved a recall letter from BMW the previous week. But it contained no hint of urgency, nor did it stipulate what the problem was. It used terms like "contact your dealer for free product enhancement update". The dealer told me it was a fuel seal but assured me it wasn't urgent and could wait until the upcoming service.

I think BMW and their dealers are being economical with the facts. They should warn riders of the consequence of this fault in plain terms. I was lucky that day. They're lucky not to be chased by my widow's lawyers.

G

 

[Davel]

You'd like to think that responsible bike and car manufacturers would be open and honest about these things, rather than try hide or deny the issues which are clearly there.

 

[Wapping]

"Second breakdown in 2 months"

Not sure if this is a complaint or faint praise .

Neither. It's a miracle!

From a happy GS owner.

 

[marcus]

I would be interested to know if this bit of the 12GS has been "redesigned" as part of the recent changes to the bike.....anybody aware?

 

[Alphason]

2 Breakdowns in 2 months, sounds about right.

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BO-RIN

 

[El Minky]

I can't help thinking.....

did someone leave Ducati and join BMW? there seams to be a common philosophy here, Its brilliant when it works, just don't expect it to work all the time! (Some of the time would be nice though)

 

[HMR]

First - all R12GS with this fuel pump enclosure gasket problem have been recalled a year ago to replace the gasket. Why arn't the bikes above already fixed?

Second - it's not very complicated to temporary take away the CAN control unit that powers the fuel pump and connect 12V directly to the pump. Will take you home at least.... All you need is 2 m electrical wire, a screwdriver and some tape.

 

[cyclops]

First - all R12GS with this fuel pump enclosure gasket problem have been recalled a year ago to replace the gasket. Why arn't the bikes above already fixed?

Second - it's not very complicated to temporary take away the CAN control unit that powers the fuel pump and connect 12V directly to the pump. Will take you home at least.... All you need is 2 m electrical wire, a screwdriver and some tape.

Is that included in the tool kit ??????

 

[Keith Chapman]

First - all R12GS with this fuel pump enclosure gasket problem have been recalled a year ago to replace the gasket. Why arn't the bikes above already fixed?

I have read on these pages that at least one recalled and modified 1200 suffered from this fault AFTER the so called fix..

 

[El Minky]

First - all R12GS with this fuel pump enclosure gasket problem have been recalled a year ago to replace the gasket. Why arn't the bikes above already fixed?

Second - it's not very complicated to temporary take away the CAN control unit that powers the fuel pump and connect 12V directly to the pump. Will take you home at least.... All you need is 2 m electrical wire, a screwdriver and some tape.

DOH! I forgot
thats exactly why I bought a (relatively) expensive bike from a manufacturer with a reputation for reliability, just so that it will breakdown and I can exhibit my electrical/mechanical prowess on the side of the road, NOT!

 

[KTM boy]

expensive unreliability

how secure would anyone feel taking their 12GS out into the back of beyond (the places for which this machine was supposedly designed) having read the above observations?

this level of machinery should deliver the goods without question and its choice should surely suggest that the purchaser does not wish to carry a particularly large toolkit or undergo complex (in roadside terms) get-you-home fixes on a tiny component of which one would otherwise probably be unaware

I run an ancient XTZ - understandable gremlins; I'd drool over a KTM 950/990 (flash git - alas not enough dosh) but having read the above posts will most strongly be considering getting my hands on a well looked after 1150 - just like my good lady's, which I know is totally reliable