I smell gas - normal?

[barry5k]

I'm new to the Beemer world and have an 07 R1200RT. Every now and then I get a whiff of gas, sometimes when I take the seat off, other times just randomly. I don't see any leaks and I get about 45 mi. to the gallon on average. I'm asking because I never smelled anything on my cruiser. I thought maybe because the gas tank is plastic (just a wild, uninitiated thought)? Anyone have an educated guess?

[deilenberger]

It's abnormal. Does your bike still have the charcoal-canister? And do you know if the vent and rain-drain hoses are correctly hooked up on your tank?

[jonmill]

Occasionally, when I fill the tank I will fail to notice that the gas cap on my '05 RT did not snap shut all the way. A few minutes later I'll get a gas smell, and it doesn't go away even at speed. Except for that circumstance, I don't think you should be smelling gas.

[Semper_Fi]

Occasionally, when I fill the tank I will fail to notice that the gas cap on my '05 RT did not snap shut all the way. A few minutes later I'll get a gas smell, and it doesn't go away even at speed. Except for that circumstance, I don't think you should be smelling gas.

The same thing happens on my wife's 1200ST if she does not fully latch the gas cap on.

the other thing is you can check your hose routings to make sure they are ok and not pinched or incorrectly routed.

Check out post #3 of this link (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=35414)

Check out post #16 of this link (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=35414&page=2)

Check out post #19 for location of canister filter (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=35414&page=2)

They may help, if everything appears ok take it in as Don stated.

Good luck

[marcopolo]

I routinely have a gas smell in my garage coming, without doubt, from my R12RT. That said, bear in mind that Canadian bikes do not have the charcoal canister found on U.S. BMWs. I have had the bike checked out both by the dealer and by the independent tech I normally use to service my bike. Like me, they found no leaks anywhere. I have read this same complaint on other forums about late-model BMWs and it certainly was not confined to Canadian bikes by any means. There were a number of Americans who had the same complaint and who also were unable to pinpoint the cause. I always fully close the fuel filler door; the quick disconnects are all good etc., etc. I now leave the bike outside a little longer after a ride before putting t in the garage. That has improved the situation somewhat.

[lawman101]

I'm new to the Beemer world and have an 07 R1200RT. Every now and then I get a whiff of gas, sometimes when I take the seat off, other times just randomly. I don't see any leaks and I get about 45 mi. to the gallon on average. I'm asking because I never smelled anything on my cruiser. I thought maybe because the gas tank is plastic (just a wild, uninitiated thought)? Anyone have an educated guess?

Check your quick disconnects for evidence of leaking..

[barry5k]

Thanks for all your help. I'll check everything tomorrow - if I can figure out what's what! :scratch
It's not an overpowering smell and just occasionally I get a whiff, so I'm not too worried about it, but I want my bike to run perfectly!!!

[Polarbear]

Always snap my cap shut, BUT the same happened to me, under my tankbag the cap popped open just enough to SMELL gas. Happened only once so far to me. I DID shut it well and it still popped loose. Just be sure again. Randy:thumb

[wezul]

I'm leaning toward the vent hose as I know of a at least one incident where the dealer returned the bike without hose reattached.

[tbryant]

Take a close look at the quick disconnect fitting on top of the fuel pump assy. I'm speaking of the high pressure side, it is a 90 degree fitting. On my 06 RT we found that the fuel pump flange where the qd screws in has several cracks which allowed fuel to get by the compression of the threads and sealant. The female half of the qd just screws right out of the flange, reseal it with Permatex #2 and screw it back in very gently to its original orientation. Let it rest overnight and then plug qd back in and it should be fine. I did this repair on mine earlier this year and some 12k later no leaks or smell. I caution you on threading the fitting in and out very gingerly because I snapped mine off putting it back in and they are not available individually. I was fortunate to have a tech remove one from a warranty pump, saving me almost $500.00 in parts alone. This is a very simple procedure but just be careful, these plastic parts are becoming brittle with age and exposure to gasoline. If this is your problem, send me an IM and I'd be happy to walk you thru it.

Terry

[Rogslater]

Always snap my cap shut, BUT the same happened to me, under my tankbag the cap popped open just enough to SMELL gas. Happened only once so far to me. I DID shut it well and it still popped loose. Just be sure again. Randy:thumb

On my 1200RT I was suddenly blinded by a stream of gas up the inside of the screen and helmet visor outer at high speed. Pulled over to change my knickers and investigate. The filler had sprung open, probably because I had not latched it down firmly enough just ten miles back in Wells NV. The high speed draft sucked fuel out of the tank below my tank bag. It did not blow back, it was sucked forward up the screen and then into my face. I hope never to make that mistake again.

Roger

[bogthebasher]

Yup, I have added the 'check to times that the gas cap is down real snug and clicks in' to my post gas up routine. Verrrry unpleasant experience. :hungover:banghead:hungover

[markgoodrich]

My vote is also for the quick disconnects. I'm betting, though that the o-rings are the culprits. Before you disconnect the two fittings, see if they are covered with gunk, and if the metal plate under them shows signs of repeated drips/drops and evaporation. When you unsnap the connectors, carefully inspect the male ends for cracks. No cracks, no need to replace anything but the o-rings. Maybe. I like tbryant's suggestion, too. My tiny leaks are gone, but I still smell a little vapor.

I just did the o-rings a few days ago. Your dealer will have the o-rings, of course, or you can go to your local Ace Hardware and rummage through the LASCO drawers thus:

The supplier for my hardware store (you know, the little metal drawers with loose parts?) is Larsen Supply Company, LASCO. I called them and they put me in touch with their supplier. The rings are nitrile, which is fuel and lubricant-resistant. Thirty nine cents each and I was back in business.

The LASCO part number is 021508.

Here's a description of nitrile rings:

"Nitrile O-ring
(Buna-N)
-40 C to +135 C
(Low-Temp)
-65 C to +120 C

Presently this is the most widely used elastomer for an o-ring. It has excellent resistance to petroleum based oils and fuels, silicone greases, hydraulic fluids, water and alcohols. It has a good balance of working properties such as low compression set, high tensile strength, high abrasion resistance, combined with a low cost.

Use this elastomer with petroleum oils, water and hydraulic oils but do not use it with brake fluid, ketones, phosphate esters, and H2S.

[amiles]

In automotive experience with Charcoal canister equipped vehicles, It is not unheard of for the canister to become excessively filled with vapor and provide a gassy smell. A smell of old bad gas is a strong clue here.

This is due to the operator frequently filling the tank to the brim with fuel chilled from storage in underground tanks, just before getting home. The fuel then warms up in the bike tank, causing excessive vapor to enter the canister. At some point the canister overfills and the odor begins. Driveability often deteriorates as well.

The solution to this (If it is your problem) is to not fill your tank prior to putting the bike away. If you must replenish your tank before going home leave some airspace, don't FILL it. Try to leave maybe a quart or half gallon out when you tank up. Better yet plan a fuel stop near the beginning of your ride, this will give you a chance to re-check the machine pull up your socks and adjust your underwear as well.

If you have seriously over stuffed the canister, riding for extended periods adding only minimal amounts of fuel will usually clear it out

[Donster]

In automotive experience with Charcoal canister equipped vehicles, It is not unheard of for the canister to become excessively filled with vapor and provide a gassy smell. A smell of old bad gas is a strong clue here.

This is due to the operator frequently filling the tank to the brim with fuel chilled from storage in underground tanks, just before getting home. The fuel then warms up in the bike tank, causing excessive vapor to enter the canister. At some point the canister overfills and the odor begins. Driveability often deteriorates as well.

The solution to this (If it is your problem) is to not fill your tank prior to putting the bike away. If you must replenish your tank before going home leave some airspace, don't FILL it. Try to leave maybe a quart or half gallon out when you tank up. Better yet plan a fuel stop near the beginning of your ride, this will give you a chance to re-check the machine pull up your socks and adjust your underwear as well.

If you have seriously over stuffed the canister, riding for extended periods adding only minimal amounts of fuel will usually clear it out

This tracks with my experience with a fairly new R1200RT.

[barry5k]

Thanks for all your possible solutions. As mentioned, the gas smell is really very weak and I smell it mostly when I take off the seat, but also other times when I am just sitting on the bike. I do make sure to snap the gas cap on (after not doing it once!). I would love to check the "quick disconnects" if I knew what and where they were.

I have filled up the tank pretty full and have left the bike with the full tank in the garage after a trip, ready for the next one. So I will take your advice about the charcoal cannister and try to clean it out via the "don't fill up" method.

[tbryant]

Your fuel pump / quick disconnects are under the left fairing on top of the tank. Remove the left side tupperware (lower front, engine spoiler, upper), takes about 15 minutes.

On top of the fuel pump assy you'll see several electrical connectors and the fuel quick disconnects. The one that has been having issues is the one that has the 90 degree qd, it is the high pressure line. Once you have removed the tupperware, cycle the key on, you'll hear the fuel pump "bump" for a few seconds and if there is a leak you see or smell if it's small. If none detected there, look further down the system toward the injectors.

Terry

[Ctrod]

Occasionally, when I fill the tank I will fail to notice that the gas cap on my '05 RT did not snap shut all the way. A few minutes later I'll get a gas smell, and it doesn't go away even at speed. Except for that circumstance, I don't think you should be smelling gas.

+1 :doh

[Ctrod]

http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=526767#Post526767

[carneyja]

I have the same problem, sounds like you fixed it but my concern is the failure itself. It looks to me like a material defect is causing the cracks and should be recalled and or fixed by BMW warranty or not. This is a life or death hazard, should the gas leak down and land onto the hot exhaust pipe the bike could go up in flames and if this happens while you’re riding you could end of dead. I've emailed my power point presentation of this problem to BMW Customer relations to see what they are going to do about it. Of course they verbally told me to take it to the dealer where I bought the bike and see if they will good will fix it. My dealer so far has not offered this as a resolve to fix the problem. They of course said bring it in and we can fix, yeah for nearly $700 dollars parts and labor. My question, will this happen again in 3 to 4 years or 64k miles? I think BMW should resolve this issue immediatly I purchased my expensive BMW motorcycle for its engineering the flaws and defects.

I think BMW should resolve this issue immediately

http://www.box.net/shared/klvhnfbhv4

[wharthog]

The only time I've ever smelled gas is when I picked up my R12RT from the dealer last week, after having them replace my fuel strip for the fourth time. When I got to work and dismounted I saw fuel pouring out from behind the left side of my fairing onto the ground and my hot exhaust pipe. I was not a happy camper. "Can you ride it in?" they asked...

Jeez!

[tbryant]

Nice!!

[carneyja]

I've updated the power point presentation to include my final repair.

http://www.box.net/shared/ut1ukzh2px