BMW "Quick Disconnect" fuel hose failures
 

On my R1200 GS, BMW used quick disconnect high pressure connectors for the fuel circuit. This can be good, except that on many models, BMW selected to use the plastic kind instead of the chrome plated ones. What can happen is that if one does fully disengage the retaining clip, a pull on the line can result in a broken connector; this is what happened to me. With this, the bike is fully disabled.

:funmeterno:

Fortunately, I was at the comfort of my home, and not on the road like some of you. So I thought I would post here, in hope that some of you may choose to be pro-active and replace the connectors before a long journey somewhere.

You may noticed the CPC logo on the side of the connector. The manufacturer information is here

Colder Products Company - Quick Couplings & Fittings for Plastic Tubing

Better than that, a fellow GS rider has put together some kits readily available for your bike. They are available here:

Fuel Pumps/Quick Disconnects


I am receiving my kit today, and will update this thread with information as necessary.

Safe ride.

~CW

Use red rubber grease to lube the Q/D's and they slide apart with no trouble.

$83.95 for the chrome connectors !!!!!!!!!!!!! That's nuts. You can buy about ten of the normal ones for that.
Nice tip about the grease Steptoe - I'll try that next time :thumbup1:

Well, list the source then Gecko, coz if you want to get them from your friendly BMW dealer, it will cost you nearly $30 each...for the plastic ones!

Ah yes that would be about right,$ 7.50 for the connector and $ 22.50 for the BMW logo :nono: get yourself down to any boat yard or marine chandlers and they have fuel connectors of the similar type for a whole lot less. They are widely used on outboard motors and marine engines. Just google for them and you'll see what I mean. I only buy parts from BMW that are unique to the bike. Things like filters, brake pads, consumables, electrical stuff and of course fuel line connectors are not proprietry products so you pay for the BMW logo - that's the fact.

You do pay OEM and dealer premium. However, please note that all fuel fittings come in two types, normal and FI. The FI ones are rated for 20 bar and tested to about 100. The normal ones are simply tested against a head of liquid (don't know the number, but won't be over 2.5 m). I am unfamiliar with this application and my limited knowledge says it's on the non-pressurised side, but use a non-FI fitting and get a negative pressure from the pump and you might find out why boat fittings are not a great idea. Of course it could work just fine, but I'd hate anyone to end up walking or with their bike on fire for the sake of not fitting a fifty quid connector that isn't worth a fiver but is perhaps worth more than fifty P.

Andy

Let's clarify that this is fifty quids for a kit of three connectors, if that is what is required for the bike. I needed 2 L connectors, which cost $57 USD for all, including some good quality clamps and spare o-rings...And I am paying for the peace of mind.

~CW

As the old adage goes, you pay your money you take your choice . My cheap ones have done fine for about 4 years and 100,000km . I was simply saying $83 seems way too much (to me) but if you are happy and you sleep well in the comfortable knowledge that the o-ring which costs cents won't ever let you down then that's great, your connectors will be nice and shiney and look every penny's worth of $83.

footnote: quite right about the pressure - so best to do some research first. Marine engines do also have fuel injection systems so they have the parts for pressurized fuel systems too.

Well, to be honest, I have always thought the GS lacked a little bling bling.

:tongue_smilie:

:rofl: ..... Americans .... blinging a GS whatever next :cool4: