Oilhead Quit

[Bob_Roller]

On my to work yesterday morning I leave at 0410 .
Got about 3 miles from home 1.5 miles on Interstate 10, the busiest highway in the southwestern US, engine died like it ran out of fuel .
Got towed home from insurance company roadside assistance .
Got home from work tried a bit of trouble shooting, fuel pump runs, ignition works .
I tried operating the starter for about a minute to see if it would flood the engine with fuel .
No fuel smell out of the exhaust .
Checked fuel lines all were in good shape fuel flow through the filter .
Looks like a fuel injection system issue beyond my trouble shooting capability .
Called the dealer that I bought the bike from 21 years ago .
The service manager said they don't work on bikes that are over 10 years old and with mine being 21 years old, chances are good that parts are no longer available and when they get into working on a bike this old they usually find a lot of issues due to the extreme heat here .
He gave me two independent repair shops that work on BMW's and I was told that they would be willing to look at the bike, but usually the outcome is not very good, he stated the same problems good chance no parts and a lot of heat degraded parts .
Their shop rate is $110 an hour and they can easily spend 5-8 hours on trouble shooting and then find it's not really worth going any further .
So it looks like I have a 'free to good home bike' !!! 

[dogshome]

I guess it's something simple like a crank or cam sensor. there is a diagnostic plug. Someone on the BMW forums will know 

[Bob_Roller]

I found an adapter cable that allows you to connect to an OBD reader, ordered it yesterday .

[Bob_Roller]

Got some info on my issue, there are two Hall sensors, one for ignition and one for crankshaft position .
If the crank sensor or wiring fails, the fuel pump shuts off, which is pretty much what I had, sounded like the fuel was shut off .
At least I have some place to start .
Still way too hot here to spend any amount of time in the garage .

[Bob_Roller]

Finally on vacation for six weeks!! I had an updated COVID vaccination on Nov 12, it was the worst one so far 4 days of feeling lousy .
Got out to work on the oilhead today.
I don't know if the Hall sensor was the problem, but it is a problem now .
All the insulation on the wires just crumbled when I attempted removal.
Alternator needs it come out to get  the connection past it , no room to get it out otherwise .
Access to the bolts that gold it on are buried and going to be problematic.
I'll call Euro Moto electric tomorrow to place an order for the sensor plate, test module and a tool to hold the engine at top dead center.
Also need a fork seal kit for the '82 LS and a master brake cylinder, front brakes don't feel right pull  the lever get some travel no braking action then it  comes on abruptly .
I replaced the brake fluid last December and the fluid is black .

[Justin B.]

What kind of brake fluid do you use?

[Bob_Roller]

Chevron, I think it was a synthetic, or semi synthetic .
Don’t have the container, I flushed all the bikes brake systems and the clutch on the oil head last December.
Been using this brand, since the Castrol LMA GT4 no longer available in retail stores .
No issues with the other bikes .

[Justin B.]

Well, the Castrol was going to be my suggestion...  When I had a '94 Impala SS I went to a "brake flush" tech day sponsored by a local club and the general consensus was to use "ATE Super Blue" fluid.  Not sure about the availability of this, either, but it might be worth looking at.  I wonder what people with old Brit iron are using instead of the Castrol?  Maybe do a search on Girling Brake Fluid and see what's available.

[dogshome]

Black brake fluid doesn't sound good. Seal melted or lots of aluminium wear? I've seen yellow or with black specks, but black is nasty 🤢

[Burt]

Bob, 

Are there no BM clubs in the greater Phoenix area or specific online forums to ask the question? 

I spent last weekend away for a birthday celebration with a lot of airhead people and could have asked around.  I can still ask around if you like, as long as I know the specific model as a lot of my friends have a long history of airhead ownership.  Speaking with one this morning about another matter and he mentioned he had owned 31 BMW models over the years. 

Incidentally I would have been in the Phoenix area this weekend but cancelled the complete trip as I tested for covid three days before departure    I could have put a day aside if you needed a spare set of hands. 

I should be passing through again in April, if you still need a hand..

Cheers, Burt.