Cycledude Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 So I just pick up my 04 1150 RT from the local BMW dealer yesterday, they did a 72,000 mile service and annual service. Just out of happen stance I took the bike in with a empty tank. So I left the shop and went to fill up. As I opened the gas cap, I heard a "Whoosh" sound from a pressure equalization. My machine has never done that before, that significantly in just 10 miles. So I'm thinking there could be a problem. I have seen plastic gas tanks crushed before because of a vacuum. Aside from damage, the bike could leave me stranded. I don't want that to happen. Has any one else experienced something like this? And what was the solution? Thanks, Snowy. Link to comment
Joe Frickin' Friday Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 It appears you have a clogged evaporative emissions recovery cannister. This is the black cylinder, about a foot long and 3 inches in diameter, just inboard of your right sidecase. It's an emissions control device. The fuel tank normally vents to atmosphere through this cannister, which collects the gasoline vapors coming out of the tank, minimizing the amount of raw hydrocarbons dumped into the environment. When you run the bike, under certain operating conditions the engine will suck fresh air in through this cannister, drawing that gasoline vapor into the intake system and burning off those vapors (along with the normally injected fuel). With the gasoline vapors removed from the cannister, it's ready to receive more from the tank. Sometimes the cannister gets clogged and can't pass air. This often happens when the tank is overfilled (usually by topping off), causing liquid gasoline to flow to the cannister. With a clogged cannister, the tank can't vent to equalize pressure: during the course of normal riding (which consumes liquid fuel, removing volume from the tank) or during an ambient temperature drop, a vacuum can develop in the tank. It's actually possible for the side of the tank to bow in far enough to damage the fuel level sensor, so yes, you'll want to fix this. If the cannister is actually clogged, then disconnecting the tank's vent line from it will take care of the immediate problem. If you want to be in full compliance with emissions laws, then you'll need to buy/install a new cannister. On the other hand... My machine has never done that before, that significantly in just 10 miles. As I recently noted in another thread: if the bike gets serviced, and suddenly isn't working right just after the service, then it's probably because of something that happened to it during the service, and you need to go back to the dealer and talk to them about it. On the third hand: ...that significantly in just ten miles... implies that your fuel tank has developed vacuum before (just not that significantly over such a short distance). If that's the case, then you have a genuine problem (again, probably the cannister) that preceded the dealer service; your tank should not be developing vacuum at all. Link to comment
dirtrider Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 Afternoon Snowy. Obviously you have a tank venting problem. If your problem just showed up after a service I would suspect either a pinched vent line (maybe pinched under rear of tank) , or a line that was plugged off during service & the plug was not removed, or misconnected water/vent lines etc. OR, as Mitch noted maybe a plugged evap canister. In any case, until you find the problem & rectify it, don’t allow much vacuum to remain in the tank while riding or you take a big risk of crushing your fuel gauge sender tube. Link to comment
ron c Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 It can also be simply a plugged vent line from the canister to atmosphere. Check for mud build up at the end of this hose. That's what happened to mine. Regards, Link to comment
Jerry Duke Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 If it was fine before trip to dealer and occured right after trip to dealer, take it back and tell them to fix their mistake. Link to comment
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