Its bloody embarrassing to say the least and its got worse imo. 14grand for a smoker lol
Blue smoke on cold starts and surging
- Thread starter fazerbill
- Start date
Its bloody embarrassing to say the least and its got worse imo. 14grand for a smoker lol
I would also ask the question, even though only burning a small amount, does the burning / unburnt oil damage the cat? This may spur them on a bit as it might need replacing.
Hope it is sorted as they are great bikes.
SMB
Hope it is sorted as they are great bikes.
SMB
oddshapedballs
Registered user
You keep going back until they do fix it, contact BMW UK as well and keep a record of everything. Also document the issue, include all dates times etc that you were in the dealership and what was done and email it in to the dealer updated every time you have to go in. Don't forget to also detail all/any conversations you have with BMW UK.
The clock on the problem starts from the point you first raised it to BMW (so before your first visit back to the dealer, assuming you phoned them to book it in) and doesn't stop until you agree that the problem is fixed. Make sure BMW also give you a written explanation of what work was done on the bike.
The dealer principle should also get any documentation from you first hand rather than an edited version from the service staff.
FazerBill, my 2p: The exhaust will smell like oil as there is no difference in smell in burning fuel (petrol) and burning oil. Burnt fuel is what comes out of the exhaust. If you leave the thought of the bike burning oil aside for the moment and consider what Nutty said - if the oil level is the same, then it is obviously not burning oil - then it is just unburnt fuel or not-properly burnt fuel on a cold engine that may be causing the issue. That now sounds more logical than burning oil.
Observe the oil level for a few hundred miles. If it is not burning oil, you are fine there. Maybe, spend the effort and time on getting the bike hilltop'ed. Will definitely make the bike more smoother, responsive as well as a joy to ride.
Ride Safe
Last edited:
madmartin
Registered user
FazerBill, my 2p: The exhaust will smell like oil as there is no difference in smell in burning fuel (petrol) and burning oil. Burnt fuel is what comes out of the exhaust. If you leave the thought of the bike burning oil aside for the moment and consider what Nutty said - if the oil level is the same, then it is obviously not burning oil - then it is just unburnt fuel or not-properly burnt fuel on a cold engine that may be causing the issue. That now sounds more logical than burning oil.
Observe the oil level for a few hundred miles. If it is not burning oil, you are fine there. Maybe, spend the effort and time on getting the bike hilltop'ed. Will definitely make the bike more smoother, responsive as well as a joy to ride.
Ride Safe
Burning oil or burning unspent fuel this bike needs looking at ...99.9% of us dont have this problem....shouldnt be smoking..simple.
Blue smoke is oil.........valves guides, rings, cracked pistons, scored bores etc....or simply a blocked breather pipe!
Black smoke is fuel.......normally running far too rich or can simply be caused by a blocked air filter
White smoke is water.........head gasket or cracked head
But as previously mentioned it's BMW problem to sort out, keep on it and please don't forget to post the results.
Black smoke is fuel.......normally running far too rich or can simply be caused by a blocked air filter
White smoke is water.........head gasket or cracked head
But as previously mentioned it's BMW problem to sort out, keep on it and please don't forget to post the results.
Definitely oil burning and not rich fueling I do know the difference sniff sniff.
I suppose it could damage the cat in the long run.
My worry is when I go to change the bike is what will the residual value be if they cant fix this, would they be happy to sell the bike on with the problems still ongoing. I mean what if a guy wanted to buy it and asked for test ride and there was blue smoke emitting from it for upto a minute on cold start, the guy would walk away from it. I know I would.
Just like to thank all forum members for their input into this problem much appreciated. Keep them coming.
Bike goes in monday so will keep yous updated once I get info from dealer.
I suppose it could damage the cat in the long run.
My worry is when I go to change the bike is what will the residual value be if they cant fix this, would they be happy to sell the bike on with the problems still ongoing. I mean what if a guy wanted to buy it and asked for test ride and there was blue smoke emitting from it for upto a minute on cold start, the guy would walk away from it. I know I would.
Just like to thank all forum members for their input into this problem much appreciated. Keep them coming.
Bike goes in monday so will keep yous updated once I get info from dealer.
Any update on the smoker Bill?
Yep they took it away on monday and yesterday they fired it up in front of a BM rep and it didn't smoke on cold start. They enclosed a video of this which I watched and to their word it didn't smoke at that time. So they are not going to do anymore to the engine other than the 6k service. Personally I aint chuffed as it was only one start up and I had told them it doesn't happen at every start up but most start ups it does. Their reason for this is they would not get paid for opening the engine up if they could not find the problem. Oil has got to be getting in somehow over a time when the engine stops in certain positions. Stiil to get the surging sorted and the corrosion issues on brake parts.
My bike is on a personal lease plan so it aint mine and never will be because its going to go back after 2 years or before if I'm right fucked off with it.
I will keep you informed of further results with the surging and corrosion problems but I aint holding my breath on these getting sorted either.
Its my first Beemer and I was really looking forward to running the GS and having a hoot with it bit its probably going to be my last one as I have had loads of jap bikes and never had issues with them.
My bike is on a personal lease plan so it aint mine and never will be because its going to go back after 2 years or before if I'm right fucked off with it.
I will keep you informed of further results with the surging and corrosion problems but I aint holding my breath on these getting sorted either.
Its my first Beemer and I was really looking forward to running the GS and having a hoot with it bit its probably going to be my last one as I have had loads of jap bikes and never had issues with them.
Fazer, Do yo leave your bike on the side stand? Did the dealer leave the bike on the centre stand? I don't know about newer boxers but on the R1150 range it makes a difference to whether you get a puff of oil or not.
Titto
Registered user
Sometimes, I get blue smoke if I've left it on the side stand overnight. It never ever smokes if left on the mainstand.
Saying that, I had a boxercup model years ago which could only be left on the Sidestand and it never ever smoked!
Saying that, I had a boxercup model years ago which could only be left on the Sidestand and it never ever smoked!
oddshapedballs
Registered user
I leave mine on the side stand all night and it never smokes, especially not blue smoke, on start up.
Fazerbill, make sure you call BMW every time it smokes, and keep taking it back until they fix it. It'll drive you mad until it's fixed, and the dealer will sidestep any issue if he/she has enough evidence to do so...like only starting and videoing it ONCE???!!!
AberdeenAngus
Registered user
Suggest you get a video of it smoking on start up.
yep done that last year and bike was taken in and nothing done about it. So from now on I will video every cold start up and send Douglas Park East Kilbride a copy and BMW customer service dept. Totally pissed off with the bike and the service provided cant wait to see the back of it tbh
Its been on the centre stand and side stand and it does it mate. I believe the older Gs did puff a bit.
Yeh I know they practically washed their mits and gave up on a first attempt. Poor show in my books mate
Got my GS back from dealers, 6k service done, they tested for the hesitant running in town and said it didn't drive any different from other R1200GS's in other words " they all do that sir "
On the smoking side nothing could be done as Mr BMW said it didn't smoke when he was there on a single start up . I have to video the cold start ups and hold a piece of paper over the exhaust outlets and see if there is any oil splatter. I cant see there being any oil splatter as its burning the oil in the pots and coming out as blue smoke.
On a positive note they replaced my starter kill switch for the second time under warranty.
I can see why the dealer does not want to strip the engine down as they would not get paid unless Mr BMW tells them to do so.
I'm not really chuffed at all with the outcome. Any suggestions in what to do next ?
On the smoking side nothing could be done as Mr BMW said it didn't smoke when he was there on a single start up . I have to video the cold start ups and hold a piece of paper over the exhaust outlets and see if there is any oil splatter. I cant see there being any oil splatter as its burning the oil in the pots and coming out as blue smoke.
On a positive note they replaced my starter kill switch for the second time under warranty.
I can see why the dealer does not want to strip the engine down as they would not get paid unless Mr BMW tells them to do so.
I'm not really chuffed at all with the outcome. Any suggestions in what to do next ?
oddshapedballs
Registered user
Contact BMW UK, get it escalated and speak to someone with more authority/influence than your local dealer, and keep taking it back, log every visit, record everything and insist on a written record of all investigative work done every time it's with them.
I'm guessing you're paying for you nearly new GS right, with you own money, and it's under warranty...it is their problem not yours!!
I'm guessing you're paying for you nearly new GS right, with you own money, and it's under warranty...it is their problem not yours!!
Cheers mate will do that
Well had a wee think and I decided I have had enough of the GS and traded it in for a new S1000R which I like alot.
Ok it aint as comfy as the GS but I prefer it.
Anyway thanks for having me here its a great forum in my opinion and hope it continues that way. All the best to members and thanks to the ones that had the time to reply to my posts.
Over and out
Ok it aint as comfy as the GS but I prefer it.
Anyway thanks for having me here its a great forum in my opinion and hope it continues that way. All the best to members and thanks to the ones that had the time to reply to my posts.
Over and out
