Died on the hwy and won't start again.

ColumbiaBMW · Post by **ColumbiaBMW** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 7:12 pm

I am brand new to this site and the world of BMW's. I just bought a 2003 R1150R with 16,000 miles on it, and have not even put 500 miles on it yet and it has stopped running. I was on a longer ride, about 75 miles away from home, and filled with gas, as soon as I filled it with gas it began to sputter when accelerating in 1st gear. Then it would do it a little worse, and a little worse, no matter what gear and speed. After trying to limp it home for about 30 minutes it gave up on a hill and died. It won't start anymore and I don't know what to do. I figured it can't just be the gas?! Maybe it's a fuel injector, or blown fuse, I have no idea though. Any ideas before I start taking it apart?

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 7:30 pm

I hope you didn't put diesel in it..

..just kidding...but what a bummer for you.

My first guess would be fuel filter..but what a bugger that is to get to.

Others here might know what might be up..It's very odd that the problem started after getting fuel..Maybe it's bad fuel..

I would drain the tank and put fresh fuel in and see how it goes.

Welcome and congrats on the bike...let's hope this is the only problem that you ever have...they're great bikes.

DJ

Post by **AndyRR** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 8:28 pm

I agree with DJ. Get that gas out of there! The fact that you had just fueled it is the best clue and the first to follow up on. I don't have an easy way to get the gas out at my fingertips other than removing the tank and dumping it out- perhaps someone else will. Once refilled, make sure it has a good charge and keep on the starter long enough to clear the gas out of the lines.
It's a little early to replace the fuel filter, but if I had it out, I would replace it. Make sure to have the screw on clamps if you do.
If the gas at that station was THAT bad, there would be a small parking lot on the side of the road near where you stopped, but it's where I would start anyway. FWIW

Post by **Boxer** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 8:44 pm

Ditto.
Also you can take off the fuel injectors fairly easy, but I don't know the proper way to clean them out. Someone else will have to chime in with that info.
Pull apart the QDs (or not) and cut off the hose clamps. You need to replace them with FI clamps anyway. Pull the QD out and let the gas drain as much as possible. Be very careful wrestling with the QD. They break easy.
Or just take off the tank and pour the sh#t out.
If it was diesel, you may be okay with a complete drain/clean refill with good gas.

ColumbiaBMW · Post by **ColumbiaBMW** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 9:24 pm

No it wasn't diesel. They didn't even offer diesel at the station, just 87 and 89, which I know it recommends 91 or higher but it was empty and I needed fuel. That would have to be REALLY bad fuel to make it stop running though right? I hit a small bump crossing some train tracks maybe that caused something? Oh yeah, the exhaust coming from the bike when I'm trying to get it to start now smells almost like paint thinner, not at all like gas. So I will probably drain the fuel and let you guys know what happens. Thanks!

geothepencil · Post by **geothepencil** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 9:32 pm

Call the station and see what they have to say. Stations regularly pay to have vehicles repaired from bad gas. Maybe you got pure ethanol. Some stations blend it themselves I've been told. Good luck !

geo

Arbee · Post by **Arbee** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 3:14 am

Before you completely strip the bike....

1. Remove spark plug, place plug onto cylinder add lead, crank engine
is there a spark?

You have to isolate fuel OR electrical faults exist first...

If it sparks its possibly the fuel, if it doesnt its possibly the HES

Post by **DSKYZD** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 7:57 am

Water in the gas?

Spookymonster · Post by **Spookymonster** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 7:59 am

Quick disconnects disconnected?

Post by **boxermania** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 8:27 am

Like DSKYZD says........you have purchased some bad gas and it contains
WATER.......the give away is the exhaust smell.

The other remote possibility is that the electric pump just decided to go south on you.....highly unlikely with the current mileage on the bike.

Don't panic.......there use to be a product that when added to the tank, would emulsify the water and make it easier to run through the system. Ethanol will do it, however, most of us prefer to use it for libation, not water removal and on the other hand their is the issue of compatibility with some of the rubber components in the fuel system. Try anything that will save you from removing a heavy, read, full tank.

Another thing to do is insert a small but fairly stiff hose, you have to do it very carfully because you don't want to damage the float or any of the fuel system components located on the right side of the tank and try to direct it to the lowest portion of the tank, ON THE RIGHT SIDE (the side that the pump draws from), and suck some gas out until you see no water coming out. You should do the same on the opposit side, for your peace of mind.

Best of luck.........

R4R&R · Post by **R4R&R** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 8:35 am

My guess would be bad gas since you filled up and immediately noticed the bike running differently.

Post by **mcollect** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 8:39 am

Add a full bottle of 100% isopropanol, also called dry Gas. Your symptems spell water in the gas.

Lion_Lady · Post by **Lion_Lady** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 9:59 am

It occured to me that there could have been water in the TANK?

New to him bike, tank was empty...

Just a thought.

P

maduko · Post by **maduko** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 11:40 am

Bike in neutral, turn on the key.

Do you hear a whine from the fuel tank area?
Should last just a few seconds. If not you have a blown fuse or a dead fuel pump. If it does I would check for spark as previously suggested.

If you have sparkles then you should probably follow the advice offered and either purge the fuel tank or add a couple of bottles of Heet. Ethanol hasn't caused any problems in any of the BMWs I know of. But don't use E85 unless it's a small amount to absorb water.

ColumbiaBMW · Post by **ColumbiaBMW** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 1:50 pm

I have found out that the left cylinder's spark plug wire had come loose under the gas tank. Bike is running perfectly now. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Post by **Boxer** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 5:59 am

I have found out that the left cylinder's spark plug wire had come loose under the gas tank. Bike is running perfectly now. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Who'da thunk it?
Did anybody have any idea this would be his problem?

Glad you got it fixed.

maduko · Post by **maduko** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 7:25 am

Did anybody have any idea this would be his problem?

We have a winner!

That would fall under the "check for spark" category that was mentioned by a couple of different people.

In this case the wire coming off in your hand would have made the test... um, brief.

When I read this it reminded me how my RH plug wire seems to be pulled very taut. Like it isn't routed correctly. I've dug around under the tank and can't see any obvious problems. It's almost as if the wire was too short.

Is this common?

Post by **boxermania** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 6:59 pm

Columbia03BMW

I will have to add your experience to my archive, since in all this years that I have been involved with this site and others this is the first time I've encountered what you experienced......I guess there is always a first time for everything.

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Died on the hwy and won't start again.

Died on the hwy and won't start again.

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