Cam chain clanking!

[newman7096]

This is my third GS and it seems to suffer from excessive cam chain clanking!

In the past its just been on start up and then it disapears however on this one it disapears only to return when the engine is warm between idle and 2000rpm. It just wont shut up!

If I ignore it will it actually do any harm?

I've heard changing to a different grade of oil may help.

Don't really want to change the tensioners, I'd rather just accept it as character!

 

[Grizzly]

Just Done the Up-Grade to Latest LH Tensioner

After reading about this on the American ADV site I have just fitted the latest version of the LH tensioner - apparently it's only the LH one that's a problem?
It only took about 45mins to fit and the parts cost about £38 from BMW - looks like money well spent so far - no noise on start up, cold, hot or very hot!
By the way, I have a 2001 1150. If you want more info or a link to a photo guide, let me know. I also have the part numbers if you want them.

Cheers......................Grizzly

 

[newman7096]

Thats interesting!

Mines a 2002, bought from main dealer secondhand however it came with 12 mth warranty. Do you reckon they'll cover it?

I appologise now for not replying to any further replies over the next week...I'm off to scotland for a week. Just wish it was on the bike, unfortunately its in the car with the entire family!

 

[Sea Lion]

After reading about this on the American ADV site I have just fitted the latest version of the LH tensioner - apparently it's only the LH one that's a problem?
It only took about 45mins to fit and the parts cost about £38 from BMW - looks like money well spent so far - no noise on start up, cold, hot or very hot!
By the way, I have a 2001 1150. If you want more info or a link to a photo guide, let me know. I also have the part numbers if you want them.

Cheers......................Grizzly

Did you buy it recently? Last I heard was the revised tensioner was deleted because it was causing premature camchain wear.

Part number appreciated please, I wouldn't mind one if they're ok

Does any one know if the revised tensioner and if it's still available and does it fit the 1100?

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

I ordered parts according to "new numbers" and go the same parts as already inside the bloody thing. In a bag in a drawer at home.

 

[Grizzly]

The Story So Far....................?

The arguments (with BMW dealers) and debate about this revision and the latest parts numbers covers many, many, pages on the ADV website and is worth reading before thinking about doing the job or not.
This is a link to that post:-

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82209

The first upgrade to the camchain tensioner has since been upgraded again and now only consist of a piston with the spring fitted internally and a new body/cylinder. there is a brilliant photo-guide on how to change the tensioner also on the ADV site and although it's showing the fitting of the 1st upgrade (now obsolete) the pics and tips are just as helpful for the latest parts
Here's a link to the photo-guide:-

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69360

I think the latest LH tensioner parts as I've fitted are the same as those now being fitted to the current 1200 engines?. On the subject of the 1100GS - I think somebody on the ADV site said the original part nos. were the same for the 1100 and 1150 so he would assume the same applies to the new parts?? - but I think you would have to look into that and check it yourself??
The latest part numbers are:-

Cylinder/body...............C07.11.9.963.308
Piston.........................C11.31.7.656.922
Joint...........................C11.31.7.688.629

Hope this helps,

Cheers..............Grizzly

 

[Activmoto]

Grizzly,
Looks like the upgade started in May 2004 12GS.
no part numbers on this service bulletin but does discribe the problem.

 

[sniper]

Hi Grizzly,
I,ve just ordered the cylinder,piston and seal for my 2001 GS. Are they the only parts i will need . Is there a spring in the new one ? Did it do the job of hushing the clanking ? mine has 48,000 miles on it and is getting noisey.

Cheers

Sniper

 

[Grizzly]

Quiet As A Mouse!!

Hi Sniper,
My 1150 has done 65K and was generally very quiet, the exceptions being at start up and running in high temperatures when it sounded a bit rattly at idle and slow running in town etc.
To be fair it's done these things from new - I think every oilhead has the start-up rattle??, -- but it turns out both these things are caused by the design of the original tensioner - and can now be "cured"!.
Before someone suggest I'm using too light an oil, I use Mobil 15W-50 fully synthetic which I think is spot-on for big twins.
The 3 parts listed are the only parts you need, the spring is an integral part of the piston assy now.
The photo guide on the ADV site is great, except, with this latest type you don't have the black "thingy" to fit on top of the piston - simply drop the new piston assy in ( large diameter first ) then fit the new body with new joint.
The ADV site mentions the hex size on the new body is smaller than the original ( it's 17mmA/F) - it' 15mm A/F for the new one if I remember right which is not a common size, so be prepared.

Cheers......................Grizzly

 

[sniper]

Nice one Grizzly ! mine clanks under same conditions as yours. I'm looking forward to a quiet life. Thanks for tips and part numbers

 

[T900]

had the noises, fitted later tensioner, it made no difference.
started using silkolene 20/50 semi synt and the tensioner rattles have disappeared

 

[sniper]

fixed !

£ 38 well spent. No more clanking at start up or when hot (six bars)at tickover.

 

[newman7096]

Will be trying 20/50 as soon as possible.

Is it easy to get hold of?

 

[Grizzly]

Glad to hear it was a success Sniper - I agree, £38 well spent, in fact by BMW standerds it's almost cheap!!.
I notice Newman7096 it now going down the T900 route of heavier oil??. I agree this will help if you've been using a 10W-40 or something but I think it's really just disguising the underlying fault of the original tensioner design - which allowed too much oil leakage from it's piston?? - but let us know how it goes??

Cheers..................Grizzly

 

[littleredrooster]

Will be trying 20/50 as soon as possible.

Is it easy to get hold of?

I've never managed to find any of the correct spec. in the area.....

 

[daveg]

1200 camchain? clatter

I bought my bike a year old about two months ago with 6000 miles on the clock. It seems to me to make a hell of a clatter around 2400rpm. I've changed the oil to BMW 20/50 and that did improve it but not a lot. I do wear an open face helmet so that doesn't help. The noise does go if I wear a full face and or earplugs.....funny that!

This isn't my imagination as I've owned several recent BMWs including an 1100GS. I understand that the bodywork on my 1150RT could absorb a lot of valvetrain noise.

The dealer said 'they all do that sir'.

Anybody have any thoughts.

Thanks

Dave

 

[newman7096]

Daveg, so you can gert 20/50 from a BMW dealer then?

I have to agree with Littleredrooster as I have been unable to locate any!

 

[daveg]

Daveg, so you can gert 20/50 from a BMW dealer then?

I have to agree with Littleredrooster as I have been unable to locate any!

Yes it's called 'Original BMW High Power Oil SAE 20/50'.

I bought it regularly at Coopers Reading over the years.

Dave

 

[newman7096]

Next stop BMW Dealer then!

Thanks