Getting rid of gas...I mean gas stains

[andy45320]

Well, my 04 GT, less than 18 months of use and just under 28k miles had the one of the quick disconnect split in two yesterday while I was riding it. Fortunately nothing caught fire. I was able to put a straight brass barb in place with clamps from hardware store and was back on the road in 3 hours...no thanks to any dealers as it was a monday after labor day :stick

Already filed complaint with NTSA, and I will be replacing the disconnects with omega metal ones, but the crank cover, clutch and tranny housings are all stained with burned on yellow from the gas. Non engine components I was able to wipe clean. Still need to get the stink off of my right boot.

Now the real question...I have tried simple green, mean green, grease lightening, wd-40 and soap and water...none will remove the stains. I will be taking into the dealer to have the output seal replaced under warranty as well, so I will let them deal with it...I want to know what to expect of them. If repainting is the only fix, how should it be repainted (tear parts off the bike, steel wool and spray with touch up?)

[Kayseventyfive]

Castrol Super Clean rubbed with Scotchbrite is worth trying. It is pretty strong stuff, so do a test area first. Be sure and rinse well after.

[andy45320]

Castrol Super Clean rubbed with Scotchbrite is worth trying. It is pretty strong stuff, so do a test area first. Be sure and rinse well after.
Will put that second on my list...service manager suggested trying a very small amount of barkeepers friend rubbed very lightly...going to try it when I get home tonight. After wearing a spot on my one rim with using scotchbrite, I know it will certainly get ride of the stains...and the paint if you are not careful :)

[godzilla]

Think one of these concotions would remove gas stains from my gas tank? The old Eclipse bag I had on there stained it badly.

[cjack]

Well, my 04 GT, less than 18 months of use and just under 28k miles had the one of the quick disconnect split in two yesterday while I was riding it. Fortunately nothing caught fire. I was able to put a straight brass barb in place with clamps from hardware store and was back on the road in 3 hours...no thanks to any dealers as it was a monday after labor day :stick

Already filed complaint with NTSA, and I will be replacing the disconnects with omega metal ones, but the crank cover, clutch and tranny housings are all stained with burned on yellow from the gas. Non engine components I was able to wipe clean. Still need to get the stink off of my right boot.

Now the real question...I have tried simple green, mean green, grease lightening, wd-40 and soap and water...none will remove the stains. I will be taking into the dealer to have the output seal replaced under warranty as well, so I will let them deal with it...I want to know what to expect of them. If repainting is the only fix, how should it be repainted (tear parts off the bike, steel wool and spray with touch up?)

The sun will bleach it out in a couple of years.

[andy45320]

Well barkeeps friend didn't do crap. Two others I have found scouring the internet: gas line antifreeze and something called spray-nine. Would prefer something more chemical before I start having scratch the paint to get it off.

[cjack]

Well barkeeps friend didn't do crap. Two others I have found scouring the internet: gas line antifreeze and something called spray-nine. Would prefer something more chemical before I start having scratch the paint to get it off.

Seriously, I have heard of BMW replacing the stained parts under warranty for gas leaks like that. Usually the bell housing, big end cover, and the trans housing can be replaced without too much trouble. The stain does diminish after time though. I wonder about those non bleach oxidizing agents. The ones on TV that make the stain go away. I wonder about Chlorine bleach...trying a Q tip of it in a remote area.
The gas disconnects seem to be broken by use. I think it is possible for a mechanic to crack the male portion of them and then they possibly break later. Have you had the fuel recall done?

[PAULBACH]

If you search hard you might find some Spoke and Rim cleaner. Restorers use is to "clean" the aluminum.

It contains both Hydrocloric and Hydrofloric acids. Real powerful depending on the concentration.

[kurt1305]

Well barkeeps friend didn't do crap. Two others I have found scouring the internet: gas line antifreeze and something called spray-nine. Would prefer something more chemical before I start having scratch the paint to get it off.

We use Spray Nine at work and it removed diesel stains very well. Never tried it on gas, and this packaging is different. That could be because we bought it in bulk.

http://www.dutchguard.com/spray-nine-p-gcc.html

[andy45320]

Seriously, I have heard of BMW replacing the stained parts under warranty for gas leaks like that. Usually the bell housing, big end cover, and the trans housing can be replaced without too much trouble. The stain does diminish after time though. I wonder about those non bleach oxidizing agents. The ones on TV that make the stain go away. I wonder about Chlorine bleach...trying a Q tip of it in a remote area.
The gas disconnects seem to be broken by use. I think it is possible for a mechanic to crack the male portion of them and then they possibly break later. Have you had the fuel recall done?
Will have to give bleach a try...also found someone else mention rubbing alcohol. I am not concerned about them replacing/repainting the parts, I am just trying to avoid it if possible so I won't be without a bike. They will most certainly fix this to my satisfaction.

The recall covers the orings primarily, and it is listed to only cover models prior to my 04 GT made in late march. Likewise, the bike has been into 3 different dealers for different warranty/service work, where I requested any bulletins, computer checks and abs bleed tests to be done...all of which I paid for.

They would need to replace the faulty plastic connects with ones that are no longer faulty, like metal parts...the same crappy plastic connects are put in replacement under the recall. Considering they have been in place for over 4k miles since the 24k servicing, if the connectors break from being reconnected, just reinforces the fact that they are crap IMHO.

[bmwmick]

Andy,
I just had really good results removing gas stains from my paralever lower strut and the final drive on my R1100RT. I broke a vent hose in the fuel tank while using one of those stupid CA fuel nozzles with the huge accordian rubber bellows on it. Fuel was dripping for about 500 miles till we stopped that night.
I used an old terrycloth towel and a mixture of Meguiars Cleaner wax (liquid) and Simoniz Rubbing compound. Took about 30 minutes but the gas stains are completely gone. My entire final drive was yellow when I started.

[Mudbug]

I wonder if it will work after the stain has been baked on for a long time.

[andy45320]

Andy,
I just had really good results removing gas stains from my paralever lower strut and the final drive on my R1100RT. I broke a vent hose in the fuel tank while using one of those stupid CA fuel nozzles with the huge accordian rubber bellows on it. Fuel was dripping for about 500 miles till we stopped that night.
I used an old terrycloth towel and a mixture of Meguiars Cleaner wax (liquid) and Simoniz Rubbing compound. Took about 30 minutes but the gas stains are completely gone. My entire final drive was yellow when I started.
Good to know...I think some type of abrasive will be required at this point. Rubbing alcohol, bleach, fuel line antifreeze...none worked. I am dropping it off at the dealer tomorrow evening to do the seal replacement and to fix the stains all under warranty. Will let them take a shot at it.

[PacWestGS]

Easy-Off Oven Cleaner, cold engine, spray on wait a few minutes, wash off. DAMHIK - Do not get on paint, Anodized wheels, or fork Tubes (Anodized Aluminum) It will stain bleach those parts, but it worked great for cleaning baked-on fuel off my tranny and right jug.

[bmwmick]

DOC,
Was that an Airhead? All the OIlhead parts are painted and I would think Easy-Off would eat the paint AND the clearcoat.

[PacWestGS]

My '02 GS I know there is clear coat but it seems to either be OK or it's completely gone, either way my tranny looks so much better silver than the dull yellow/brown that it became after the fuel stains.

Didn't think it would hurt clear coat any worse than some of the steelwool and brillow pad suggestions posted above.

Actually worked real good, except tor the overspray spots on the Fork-tube and black Front wheel, very minor discolorisation.

I like people to question the things I say, because I'm not always right, and sometimes downright dangerous, but I did this to mine, and it worked for the gas stains, road grime and road grease - that took some brushing and picking. Clear coat can be re-applied if concerned I'm not that concerned it a GS...

[andy45320]

...dealer does not feel the damage caused by the fuel from the failure of the quick disconnect is covered under warranty. With that reasoning, I guess if final drive fell off due to defect and the tire blew out, they would repair the drive but not replace the tire? First time dealing with this dealer and already not liking it. Service manager said bmw rep was going to be in the afternoon and he would let him take a look. Mentioning that I filed a complaint with the NHTSA seemed to get his attention. Just ticks me off this guy was reluctant to take the issue up with NA until I started into the riot act.

[andy45320]

...dealer does not feel the damage caused by the fuel from the failure of the quick disconnect is covered under warranty. With that reasoning, I guess if final drive fell off due to defect and the tire blew out, they would repair the drive but not replace the tire? First time dealing with this dealer and already not liking it. Service manager said bmw rep was going to be in the afternoon and he would let him take a look. Mentioning that I filed a complaint with the NHTSA seemed to get his attention. Just ticks me off this guy was reluctant to take the issue up with NA until I started into the riot act.
BMW NA stepped up to take care of this as they should. They are covering 100%, by replacing the crank cover, the clutch housing and sending the transmission to Holt BMW which is a stones throw away to have them repaint.

[PacWestGS]

Great news. :clap