1200GS 2012 Cold start noise.

[masherbike]

I bought my first BMW GS 1200 in June and have ridden it for 6400 miles. I noticed a couple of months ago during a cool spell that when I started it in the morning there was a clunking noise that became more apparent when setting off. Once warm it went away. Now that the cold mornings have arrived it does it every day. The noise is only apparent under load when cold and takes longer to go away now that the cold weather is here.

I am about to book it in for a service this month and would like to go armed with knowlege before I discuss with the BMW dealer.

Is this noise normal?

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

It's not uncommon for the cam chain to rattle on start up if the bike's been laid up for more than a few days. The tensioner is hydraulically operated and can take a wee while to get up to pressure if all the oil's drained into the sump.
It can also happen when the engine gets VERY hot as the oil thins due to heat.

It sounds to me like this may be what's happening? If my bike does it the sound comes mainly from the r/h side (from being laid up on the side stand?) and, worse case, lasts for maybe 200m from start up and immediate pull away.

Does that sound similar to what you're getting?

Andres

 

[red1]

Does the 1150 have the same type of hydraulic cam chain tensioner?

 

[masherbike]

It's not uncommon for the cam chain to rattle on start up if the bike's been laid up for more than a few days. The tensioner is hydraulically operated and can take a wee while to get up to pressure if all the oil's drained into the sump.
It can also happen when the engine gets VERY hot as the oil thins due to heat.

It sounds to me like this may be what's happening? If my bike does it the sound comes mainly from the r/h side (from being laid up on the side stand?) and, worse case, lasts for maybe 200m from start up and immediate pull away.

Does that sound similar to what you're getting?

Andres

The bike is used daily. It is 4 months old. I can't tell which side the clunking is coming from. The noise stops within a minute. I just need to know if it is normal or not so I can tackle the main dealer when I take it in for a service.

 

[ebbo]

In the early Spring it was the left side tensioner sticking on start up and rattling, now it's the right side

 

[autogs]

please tell me you have checked the oil level,the cam chain tensioner noise should only last a couple of seconds.its usual to use quite a bit of oil from new so the oil level would be my first check,btw read your riders man for the correct way to check the oil level.

 

[Deleted account 181015003]

Hi mine makes a noise when cold when pulling away the first couple of junctions from home 200 yards at the most it sound like it is something to do with the alternator belt or tensioner? its not a rattle more of a clunk It does not make the noise if its started and left to tick over its only the first couple of times I pull away.

The bike is a 2012 with 1400 miles.

 

[autogs]

Hi mine makes a noise when cold when pulling away the first couple of junctions from home 200 yards at the most it sound like it is something to do with the alternator belt or tensioner? its not a rattle more of a clunk It does not make the noise if its started and left to tick over its only the first couple of times I pull away.

The bike is a 2012 with 1400 miles.

thats a weird one,the alternator belt is a stretchey(?) belt without a tensioner so doubt its that,id get it back to your dealer and let them sort it,its almost new

 

[Deleted account 181015003]

I don't think its anything serious I will mention it next time I speak to the dealer, its got a 2 years warranty so not too worried.

 

[masherbike]

Hi mine makes a noise when cold when pulling away the first couple of junctions from home 200 yards at the most it sound like it is something to do with the alternator belt or tensioner? its not a rattle more of a clunk It does not make the noise if its started and left to tick over its only the first couple of times I pull away.

The bike is a 2012 with 1400 miles.

Yes mine is doing the same. I need to hear someone say ''mine doesn't do that' to establish what is normal, but it is starting to sound as if it is normal.

 

[masherbike]

please tell me you have checked the oil level,the cam chain tensioner noise should only last a couple of seconds.its usual to use quite a bit of oil from new so the oil level would be my first check,btw read your riders man for the correct way to check the oil level.

Yes I check the oil, It has used 2 litres since new. I had the oil warning come on in the middle of Spain, but I have always kept it withing the indicator marks.

 

[masherbike]

Thanks for all the comments folks. I seem to be not alone with this clunking. But still don't know if it is normal.
I need to hear someone say ''mine definately doesn't do that when cold' to establish what is normal. Can anyone say that about a 2012 GS1200?

 

[autogs]

my 2011 gsa definately does not do that

 

[pympster]

I think mine does have a rattle to begin with sometimes too!

 

[birdseye]

What about a whirring sound from the front of the engine? reminds me a bit of the noise my car made when given a new cam belt but my 2008 bike is pushrod so no cam belt I guess?

 

[oyster]

clicking flap

The only problem i get with mine, is the exhaust flap clicking when it has'nt had it's spay of GT85,i guess if you had a sticking flap you would'nt have, full power and a noise
oil warning light in Spain !!!!

 

[Freddie]

The only problem i get with mine, is the exhaust flap clicking when it has'nt had it's spay of GT85,i guess if you had a sticking flap you would'nt have, full power and a noise
oil warning light in Spain !!!!

I get the same - switch on the ignition, hear the flap trigger (about 2 or 3 second whine), then a rhythmic tick as some relay or other tries to open it. Cycle the ignition - it stops.

As for the noise at start-up... 'Mine doesn't do that'.

 

[Deleted account 181015003]

Hi I think it might be the oil pressure release valve making the noise, cold oil tight engine the pressure has got to go somewhere. The noise is more a clunk than a rattle and does not do it if left to tick over only when riding

 

[Wierpig]

its piston slap.Ive had 3 twin cams and theyve all done it.Asked dealer and he said its normal when cold.End of line for air cooled engine.Very short skirt slug rattling round in a big ally pot.Sounds feasible I suppose...