Fuel problem - Need help

Greetings all.

After 40 + years of riding motorcycles I have just purchased my first BMW, a 1995 R1100GS.

My problem is the guy I bought it from had it stored for about 5 years and I don't think that he drained the tank before putting it up. I can get it to fire if I spray a little starting fluid on the air cleaner but it won't stay running.

I looked for a shop manual yesterday in Albuquerque yesterday but nobody stocks them so the best I can do is to get one overnighted. Should I go with Clymer or Haynes?

To fix the fuel problem I'm not sure where I should start and I would appreciate any advise.

When I turn on the ignition should I hear the fuel pump?

If the fuel has turned to varnish in the fuel pump am I going to be able to clear it myself or am I going to have to buy a new one?

If the fuel has turned to varnish in the lines or injectors am I going to have to take it to the dealer to have it cleared?


TIA,
Al

awatters said:

Greetings all.

After 40 + years of riding motorcycles I have just purchased my first BMW, a 1995 R1100GS.

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Welcome

awatters said:

My problem is the guy I bought it from had it stored for about 5 years and I don't think that he drained the tank before putting it up. I can get it to fire if I spray a little starting fluid on the air cleaner but it won't stay running.

I looked for a shop manual yesterday in Albuquerque yesterday but nobody stocks them so the best I can do is to get one overnighted. Should I go with Clymer or Haynes?

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Either is fine, any oilhead manual will probably serve you well for this issue.

awatters said:

To fix the fuel problem I'm not sure where I should start and I would appreciate any advise.

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You mention hoses etc below. You might want to see if you are getting any spray from the injectors.

awatters said:

When I turn on the ignition should I hear the fuel pump?

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Yes, it should run for a couple of seconds until the system pressurizes.

awatters said:

If the fuel has turned to varnish in the fuel pump am I going to be able to clear it myself or am I going to have to buy a new one?

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Hmm, might be a wait and test when other issues are resolved

awatters said:

If the fuel has turned to varnish in the lines or injectors am I going to have to take it to the dealer to have it cleared?

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You don't sound like someone inclined to take it to the dealer. Just wait a bit, you will get advise from others much more competant than I.

I'd think you start with pump and filter (in the tank) then Injectors.

Oilhead fuel problem

Congrads on your new GS. Since the bike has been sitting I would suggest you flush the fuel tank and check to make sure the fuel filter is clean. You may have a clogged fuel filter and/ or lines. Make sure all are clean and clear. You should hear the fuel pump come on when you turn on the key. Make sure it's clean and not clogged as well; hopefully the fuel pump is still in good working order. Once every thing is clean try pulling off one of the fuel lines to the injector to make sure you are getting fuel to the throttle bodies. If the flow is good then the throttle bodies could be gumed up.
My guess is the problem is in the fuel filter and /or lines, fuel pump.
I believe you can go online and request an owners mannual from BMW.

If all else fails then it's time for the dealer to take a look at it.


Have fun and ride safe,


Steve

I'd go to your dealer and get a new fuel filter and the o-ring for the fuel pump access plate on the underside of the tank. Make sure you get some new hose and clamps to go with the new fuel filter.

You'll need to remove the fuel tank. Then remove the fuel pump/filter access panel from the tank. To that is mounted the fuel filter and fuel pump. Replace the fuel filter. Remove the fuel pump, which you should be able to clean out with SeaFoam gas additive.

You may need to remove the fuel injectors and have them professionally cleaned. But they may clean up with some soaking in SeaFoam. It could be worth a try anyway.

With the fuel filter, pump and injectors cleaned up there should be no fuel problems due to old gas. But I would also run a tank or two of fresh gas with Techron (from Chevron) gas additive. I have used Techron in my 94 R1100RS and I have never had any fuel system related problems with my bike in 120,000 miles of use. And my bike sits idle about four months a year (in Wisconsin).

If the sidestand and killswitch are up, you should hear the pump for a moment when you turn the key. Open the filler cap and listen closely in an otherwise quiet place. If you hear a soft "thump" then your pump is seized and needs to be replaced or otherwise made to function again. The injectors and lines are probably OK.

maunals

I think both manuals suck, you really need the factory repair manual.

Let us know

Hey Al, keep us updated on your progress.

Fuel system update

The fuel pump was definitely siezed so that has been replaced along with the fuel filter. I also blew out all the the lines, lots of nasty stuff in there, stunk so bad that my wife made me change clothes in the garage. The local dealer is supposed to have the strainer and rubber cap for the fuel pump in today so with any luck I'll have it running tonight. Now that I know what everything looks like in there I will plan on converting to an external fuel filter over the winter.

Andy - SeaFoam is great stuff. My auto parts guy turned me on to it several years ago. I add some to everything we drive every other month. It also works as an oil additive. I was given a Ford Escort for my son that had a stuck ring. One can of SeaFoam in the crankcase, ran it for 30 minutes, let it cool down and the ring freed itself.

Bob - I love your avatar. I work bicycle races as a motorcycle referee and probably about 80% of the guys ride BMW's. Every time one of them had a problem I gave them static about how my "Jap" bikes hardly ever break down. Now I've got to tell them I gone to the dark side. Man, am I ever in for a double ration.

Thanks again for all the help. I'll let you know what happens.

Hope you can get it sorted out and enjoy the BMW experience!

awatters said:

Bob - I love your avatar. I work bicycle races as a motorcycle referee and probably about 80% of the guys ride BMW's. Every time one of them had a problem I gave them static about how my "Jap" bikes hardly ever break down. Now I've got to tell them I gone to the dark side. Man, am I ever in for a double ration.

Thanks again for all the help. I'll let you know what happens.

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As you will find after being assimilated into the fold, you have not gone over to The Dark Side; your bike is a boxer twin. In these circles, the owners of "K" (liquid cooled inline motor) bikes are the ones referred to as "Going over to The Dark Side". The "K"s are known by the dyed in the wool "R" guys as the Darth Vader of BMW's

The "K" riders are also disparaged with terms like K-Whiners (due to the sound made by straight cut primary drive gears), yuppie K-bike scum, etc. (can you tell I ride an "R"?) Don't get me wrong, some of my best friends ride K-bikes...

I've been tempted by The Dark Side more than once; never succumbed.

Again, welcome!

tdomek said:

I've been tempted by The Dark Side more than once; never succumbed.

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Yes. I was tempted, and resisted the whine. A strong attration this darkside has for me. I found myself at rallies, head snapping around to look every time I heard the whine. I had no control to stop my head from snapping around. My brain told me to stay faithful to the R bike, but the power was too strong.

One rainy January morning, I rode my R bike to the dealer for a bunch of service. They were going to roll out the loaner so I could get home. I sat and talked to Joe, nice guy with a shiny K12RS next to his desk. My head kept turning to the bike, betraying me. No need for the loaner, I had a new bike to ride home. When am I coming back for the R bike... someday, and I did eventually.

My brain no longer argues with my being. My SO had me ride her new R bike (she totaled the one I betrayed, I think it might have killed itself), she asked how I like it after a hundred miles. She loves it, I told her I hated it, it tears at my entire being. A strong mistress the darkside is, but if you succumb, you will be satisfied.

Simple answer...

Have more than one. Unlike most humans, a bike doesn't get jealous if you're out with another one. Contrast is best when both are strong sources.

To task... I'd pull both injectors, still connected & lay them on cardboard. Hit the starter for ~1-2 seconds, you should see a fine misting pattern about 2" long & ~60 degrees wide. Bear in mind it's vaporized gas and can be dangerous.

If no pattern:
> listen to the fuel pump spin up & changes pitch as pressure rises (on Ks, I use a gauge; plastic pipe/fittings on Rs make that Much harder) You may off/on the ignition a couple times for this.

> it's not uncommon for injector pintles to stick due to dried/varnished gasoline. I've freed up a set by Carefully pushing in at the tip with a large phillips driver, push just enough to move it. This practice is largely condemmed, but I had little to lose by trying. Once freed, fresh gas & injector cleaner did their job.

Good Hunting.... <<<))) R11HR, K75KS, K11LTX, R90S