Blocked Tank Breather

[Stormin47]

I had a very tiresome 300 mile ride yesterday in cold, heavy rain. I couldn't believe my eyes when I removed the tank bag to fuel-up and found the filler cap about 5mm below the trim. I was a right bugger to get the cap open due to the vacuum. Seems the vent pipe is totally, and I mean totally, blocked.

The pipe is completely free and not crushed for as far as I can see it without taking the trim off so I am sure I haven't trapped it. And, this fault was not there on the 300 mile outward run.

I can only imagine some crap has been sucked up the pipe - I will find out at the weekend. Meanwhile, anyone else had this?

Norm.
P.S. good news is that after 20 mins the tank regained its correct shape.

[DCMike]

Never have had this issue Stormin through the the bike's 3500mile+ lifetime.
If this is a new development, and you haven't had it out any since winter storage, I'd first check the terminus of the vent hose, but then, I bet you've already done that.

Let us know what you find.
PS-your 300mile run doesn't sound very inviting.

[Stormin47]

The hose wasn't crimped or bent and I'd done 2,000 miles this season so far, total=3,600 now from new last Oct. There was no blackage on the 300 mile outward run that weekend.

I sucked on the vent and there was some movement, I blew there was nothing. Going at it a bit harder (being heterosexual I'm not great at this) there was a "plop" into the tank and all became free.

The run back from our south coast was pretty tough. Six hours in torrential rain most of the way with lots of farm soil on the back roads I used for the first 2 hours or so. It's difficult to believe that a suction rate of about a litre in 10 miles would be sufficient to draw mud up that pipe but maybe!

Anyways I will report it to the dealer cose the exhaust headers look dreadful and the Ventureshield needs redoing cos muck has gotten in around most of the edges.

Thanks for the reply.

[Stormin47]

Spoke with the dealer (Williams in Manc) yesterday and they confirmed that blocked tank vents are not unusual, not only on HP2s, but on other bikes as well. So that's alright then

[Tyred Dog]

Spoke with the dealer (Williams in Manc) yesterday and they confirmed that blocked tank vents are not unusual, not only on HP2s, but on other bikes as well. So that's alright then

Arghh the old 'they all do that sir' ploy!!

Works every time.

Mines back up to Pidcocks on Saturday following a service during which they have ruined the engine. Huge vibes at 3000rpm onwards "if you'd like to drop it back us we'll take a look"

Watch this space

TD

[Stormin47]

TD I hope they get it sorted. Pidcocks have a generally very good reputation. Williams failed to change the rear drive oil as scheduled at the 600 service. I had a quiet word. All this talk of customer service and total quality; it all rather hollow isn't it. Rant over.

[gibbo]

I recently did my own fluids at the 1000km service and removed only 600ml from the gearbox(should be 900) and only 160ml from the final drive. Always do the fluids myself on all my bikes

[DCMike]

@Gibbo....I think it's time to swap out the gearbox n rear drive fluids too.......... if nothing else some piece of mind! Odo now reads ca. 3800miles

[Tyred Dog]

Arghh the old 'they all do that sir' ploy!!

Works every time.

Mines back up to Pidcocks on Saturday following a service during which they have ruined the engine. Huge vibes at 3000rpm onwards "if you'd like to drop it back us we'll take a look"

Watch this space

TD

Well back in on Saturday and after 3 hours of free coffee they appear to have solved the problem. They couldn't find anything wrong with it "other than the throttle boddies were slightly out" . Anyway, seems to have fixed the problem as the ride home was a pleasure.

Well done to Pidcocks

TD

[CARTER]

Hi, my tank vent pipe blocked and caused the tank to break the internal carbon fibre lugs that support the tank surround. My local BMW dealer had the bike back several times before discovering the problem of the blocked vents. The vacuum caused is immense. After my second repair to the tank surround said BMW dealer found the blocked vent pipes. Now they are fixed into engine under belly fairing on flanged mounts so they cant move about. What had happened with the original set up was that the pipe ends are free to move and got burnt on the exhaust, causing them to block. So definitely worth checking these pipes or fixing the exit and securely.

[Stormin47]

Hi, my tank vent pipe blocked and caused the tank to break the internal carbon fibre lugs that support the tank surround. My local BMW dealer had the bike back several times before discovering the problem of the blocked vents. The vacuum caused is immense. After my second repair to the tank surround said BMW dealer found the blocked vent pipes. Now they are fixed into engine under belly fairing on flanged mounts so they cant move about. What had happened with the original set up was that the pipe ends are free to move and got burnt on the exhaust, causing them to block. So definitely worth checking these pipes or fixing the exit and securely.

Yes, that's about it. Sounds like your dealer isn't the best IMHO, like mine.

[nail24]

One tip given to me by my dealer- DO NOT Pack the fuel tank. It will back flow into the charcoal and cause the bike to stall.