Fuel Pump Failure?

I was out for a test ride this afternoon having just put a new set of rear pads in my R 1200 GS and was going to do a post to remind everyone to check their rear brake pad wear regularly, mine have lasted only 6300 miles. They had just under 1mm left!

15 miles into the ride I'm going round a busy roundabout when the bike cuts out dead. Having weaved to the inside of the roundabout I tried to fire the bike up and each time it ran for a second or two and died. I immediately suspected fuel starvation. With the assistance of a helpful passing biker who held back the traffic I pushed the bike off into the the slip road.

As the bike is still under warranty I was about to phone BMW Assist when to my amazement Stephen Crowder Dealer Principal at SBW Motorrad Hereford was coming round the roundabout in his Dealer van. He immediately stopped and rendered assistance. He like me suspected the fuel pump, but this couldn't be fixed at the road side, he has kindly transported my bike back to his dealership for a warranty repair. So a big vote of thanks to Stephen for being their in my moment of need!

However my concern was that 28th Feb the bike went to N. Oxford BMW for the fuel pump recall. Which I now understand is to replace a faulty gasket that lets water into the fuel pump. But this like bolting the stable door after the horse has bolted. I read elsewhere on the forum this has happened to others, water is obviously is getting in and changing the gasket subsequently doesn't appear to solve the problem. I'm dam lucky I wasn't commiting an overtake when the bike died or I might not be writing this!

If the fuel pumps are faulty due to water ingress, changing the gasket many months into the bikes use will not stop the damage already done. I'm really concerned that someone else might not be as lucky as me when this happens!!

Does anyone else have any feedback on this issue?

Quendi
2004 Yellow/Grey BMW R 1200 GS

The Recall says that if there is any sign if water damage to the pump it should be replaced as well

It happened to me just after an overtake. Not good for the laundry bill.
When the chap from Bee Em changed the fuel pump block thingy I noted it went back in virtually dry. I think it's unrealistic to expect that to seal, so I took it out at home and liberally daubed "O" ring grease (silicon) on it and reassembled it.
Much better, and it restored the confidence I lost by seeing how shite a design it was.
HTH
Pm me your address Quendi, and I'll send you a bit in a self sealing bag.
Phil.

Fatboy, thanks for your offer but I should be OK, dealer should be fixing the bike today and if required replacing fuel pump bit; but I will remember to seal it with silicon grease when I get my bike back.

Quendi

Yep, happened to me as well. Already had the Rev 1 seal on and this still lead to water ingress to the pump. I lost power mid-overtake, which then came back in about 1/2 second later at full power - as you can imagine, a trouser filling moment.

Had no problems since a new pump and Rev2 seal.

Still not good, but know about.

As for 6.3k to a set of rear pads, you're lucky!!!!

GSmonkey said:

As for 6.3k to a set of rear pads, you're lucky!!!!

Click to expand...

There must be two types available - the first set lasted 6k - the second 5k - the third 12k and the fourth still fairly good after 10k. At least the fronts last over 30k

It was Fuel Pump Failure!

Sadjim said:

The Recall says that if there is any sign if water damage to the pump it should be replaced as well

Click to expand...

Well the good news is I've got my R1200GS back today, kindly delivered back to my house by SBW Motorrad Hertford. They have confirmed it was failure of the electrical component in the fuel pump due to corrosion (so its a warranty claim luckily!).

However given Sadjim's comment, I find it incredulous that when the gasket was changed on the 28 February for the Fuel Pump recall everything was OK, but corrosion stopped this item working only 1 month later on the 31st March.
I have spoken to North Oxford BMW's Service Manager and they are going to investigate the issue further!

Given that failure of the fuel pump when the bike is in motion is a clear Safety matter, I would contend that this component should be changed automatically when the gasket is changed.

Quendi

I think what we have all to realise here is that the fuel pump design on the BMW 1200GS is appalling, I have never seen on any vehicle such a bad piece of design. There is no drain for the water which enters the top of the fuel pump housing - so eventually water will penetrate the electrics and cause failure. No matter what seal is fitted to this area it will always be suspect and prone to cause premature stopping of the bike. On the new Adventure I deliberately looked to see if BMW had redesigned this area and yes they do appear to have done - guess what there is no black plastic cover over the pump now!!!!!!. Its just incredible to me that this was designed in this back to front way. Proper design would be to stop water getting into the area and then if it did have adequate sealing AND DRAIN holes to allow water to run out. My advice to all owners is after washing the bike take the N/S side panel off and DRY the pump housing out. On the new Adventure this would be difficult though as the panels dont appear to be so easily remeoveable. What would have happened to Euan and Charlie in the middle of nowhere if the fuel pump packed up eh ???? Chelsea Tractor does indeed seem to be an accurate description of all the new GS range. I for one bitterly regret buying a 1200 GS and given my time again would without doubt get an 1150 Adv for its inherent better design and reliability.