Clutch/Gearbox, Noise/Knock ?.

[Martin58]

I recently purchased a 2002 1150gs with 33,000 miles and full BMW history.
The bike rides a dream and the engine sounds fine. I have noticed though that when crawling in traffic or holding the clutch in whilst in gear that there is what can only be described as a "knock" or chain rattle/rumble.
The noise appears to be to the front of the motor......maybe?.

If the clutch is held in whilst a gear is engaged and the throttle "blipped" the noise becomes more pronounced,slip the clutch to ease forward and the noise is there still.
Get clear of traffic and moving again and the noise is gone (i think)?!!

Am i worrying about nothing as "they all do that" or does anyone have any suggestions as what it may be.

 

[Colban]

They're all noisy old buggers to a degree.
Find out where the local Tossers hang out and get a second opinion.
Either that or buy some better earplugs and not worry about it.

 

[SecretSquirrel]

That sounds like the same noise I could hear on my 1150GS prior to a input drive shaft failure.
I may just be paranoid now since it failed on me?
As Colban said, they probably all make that noise. I've just not had enough experience of GS's yet to know.
Get one of the really experienced guys on here to listen to it if possible.

 

[Dragon Master]

Hi Martin,

I haven't got a clue just what your noise might be, but one of your paragraphs made me think...

If the clutch is held in whilst a gear is engaged and the throttle "blipped" the noise becomes more pronounced,

Are you stationary when you 'blip' the throttle?

,slip the clutch to ease forward and the noise is there still.

suggests your are; in which case I would be looking elsewhere than the gearbox for the source of the noise. If you're stationary with the clutch held in, the gearbox isn't turning, so is unlikely to be making a noise. As you begin to slip the clutch, it's likely to increase the noise as the load is put on to the engine. The noise 'going' once moving may just be that it's being masked by other noises.

Even if you're rolling when you pull the clutch and blip, the extra drive from the blip isn't getting to the gearbox, so again if the noise becomes more pronounced I'd be looking towards the engine...

Sorry to be so pessimistic, just my thoughts, though you might be better waiting for others to come along...

Dave.

 

[ianboydsnr]

probably nothing, they are noisey especially without earplugs, listen to someone elses Gs, to understand if its normal or not

 

[Moonchild]

Clutch Knock

I have exactly the same problem with my newly purchased 1150 GS. She's a 2000 model with 26k and FSH. This isnt really obvious when the bike is cold but when it has warmed up you cant fail to notice. The bike is going fine and is engaging all gears perfectly and clutch operation is normal. I previously owned an 1100RT which didn't have this problem so I am a bit worried. Maybe, as a friend suggested, it is the lack of fairing and all these noises are normal for a GS but I'm not convinced.

Any more theories out there?

Cheers.

 

[Shurv]

1150's are by nature pretty rattly and noisy. Especially when hot. I'd just ride the thing, and worry if anything happens ( whixh it probably won't)

 

[Wobs]

I've got a similar sort of problem on mine; 2000 1150GS with 32,000 miles. Mines been laid up for about 6 months though without being started and although I did all the usual checking and changing stuff before getting back on the road it sounded like a bag of nails which it didn't do before being hibernated. Noise exactly like you describe; knock and chain rattly rumbly. And a bit "now you hear it, now you don't."
I read somewhere that left hand cam chain tensioner can stick after being left unused for even a short while (as well as it being the principal culprit in the infamous death rattle) so I'm planning on changing that in the next couple of days. Apparently BMW brought out a new improved LH tensioner 'cos the original one was crap. About £45 or so and a fairly straightforward job.
Loadsa posts on this which is where I picked it up from.

 

[slalom]

Hi

My 2000 1150 (40,000+) has had this knock for about 6 years now. Engine hot, stop at traffic lights, hold clutch lever in, clonk, clonk, clonk etc. In gear or out. Hotter the engine louder the noise (noises).
As mentioned, use better ear plugs and stop worrrying.
As they say 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'

Slalom

 

[Wobs]

Well, I've just done the LH cam chain tensioner. Wot a difference!!!!
I've had the bike 8 years now and it's never been quieter. Nearly as quiet mechanically as my old R80. No rattle on start up either. Now I can start worrying about all those other little taps and rattles that I couldn't hear over the (presumably) cam chain clatter.
I guess that the chain racket with the old tensioner is all about the chain being under different degrees of load as you come off and on the throttle. Throttle bodies being even a bit out of balance must also make it worse.
In my case I guess the problem had been made a bit worse by being laid up for a while. I couldn't feel any stiction when compressing the old one but the hardening on the piston had gone a bit on one side and the new setup certainly felt stiffer.
My guess though as a total amateur is that the old tensioner was occasionally sticking just long enough to let the chain have a brief thrash before the slacks taken up. This would explain why it sounded like a steel bucket of nails when off and on the throttle in traffic but couldn't be heard when at constant throttle.
I'll wait for this theory to be shot down.
I gotta say that if I hadn't had done this myself I would have sworn it was some nasty endy, bearing, pistony problem rather than just a chain thrashing about.
Best £45 I've ever spent (apart from an evening spent with 2 Thai ladies in Patong).

 

[Martin58]

Clutch Knock

I wasn't expecting such a response from my question. James description is spot on,not noticeable when cold and getting worse/more pronounced as the engine gets hotter,resulting in a real "knock" when very warm.

Wobs has spoken of the LH chain tensioner being a bit naff and the pleasing results of having it changed.Is this a straight forward "home mechanic" procedure?.

I cant be done with "better ear plugs" as i am sure something is not quite right.

How good were the ladies in Patong Wobs as i am going for a "cultural" visit later this year,i think £45 sounds expensive!!.

 

[Wobs]

I think the better with cold bit could well be down to oil being thicker at lower temps. I now run mine on Silkolene 20/50 semi-syn and it makes a huge difference in clatter compared to 10/40. I think BMW themselves don't recommend anything but a 50 weight for temps above 20 degrees. That ain't that hot.
Replacing LH tensioner is easy peasy. Great walk thru of the procedure on adventure rider. Took me about 90 mins including several tea breaks.
Yeah, the £45 does sound expensive but that included an awful lot of beer, several economy tubs of baby oil, practical lessons in Thai culture and a tuk tuk ride home.
Definitely recommended although their understanding of the finer points of BMW repair are a bit limited if you happen to break down there.

 

[Dragon Master]

[Quick Hijack]
Where can this Silkolene 20/50 semi synth be bought? Can't find it in Halfauds, or any local garages.
Cheers,

Dave.
[/Quick Hijack]

 

[Wobs]

Got mine from local bike dealer Irelands in Barnstaple. They're not a BMW dealer but accoring to the guy there they keep it in for BM riders.
Alternatively try www.silkolene.com. Called Super 4 20W-50.
About £22 for 4L.
Hope that helps.
Wobs

 

[Martin58]

Tensioner

Cheers for that.
I hadn't heard of Adventure Rider,what a good site.
Have found relevant link very well explained. I am due a service in 1000 miles so will get oil and filter done then and see if there is a difference in the noise.
If no change will go for tensioner replacement.

What year did the "new style" tensioner come in to service?.

 

[Wobs]

OOPS!!!! Hit wrong button.

 

[Wobs]

Not too sure about the year but I know BMW went thru a couple of versions of the annoying little thing. First replacement was well over £100 before they settled on current version.
I THINK the more expensive one was different to latest version and not just a price correction but others on this site will know more than me.
And the reason its always the LHS that gives probs is that this side hangs down and drains oil out when motor stopped, RHS sticks up and doesn't self drain.
You'd think with all those Tuetonic brains................................................!

 

[gsgs]

Had my 2001MY 1150GS for 2 years and I always thought it had a very slight "Knock" when on tick-over, never really paid much attention to it as it goes like a rocket and sounds great at 3,500 rpm and still does. I drove it to Arras (France) last month and noticed that when the bike is warmed-up and I pull the clutch in there is a serious KNOCK coming from deep inside the engine/gerabox/clutch, several people have said it sounds like the thrust bearing...but I think they were saying that to stop me worrying rather than giving their honest opinion. I took it to an independant "Boxer" specialist today and they are also puzzled by the noise. I've booked it in for a replacement clutch and they will check the crank end-float whist it's apart and see if the shims have broken/fell-out causing the crank to knock. Are there any GSers out there who have had a similar problem and fixed it ? or anyone who has some thoughts on what the real problem might be.
Thanks for reading this.
Best Regards. George Sears

 

[Martin58]

The very pronounced "knock" is what really is giving me cause for concern.
I have a strong mechanical background and this is not a "good" noise to be hearing.
Been out on mine to day and given it a good hard ride and it loved it. But when a bit hot and bothered it was sounding like a bucket of nails.
I know that tomorrow when started it will sound like new again........until warm.

Does your quality of gear change deteriorate as the engine warms?.

Please let me know the outcome of your check up.

Martin

 

[Stewart H]

I have done the tensioner upgrade and its worth the money to lose the painful racket at startup, my bike a 98 1100, 97K sounds noisier when its hot too, Im going to try some 20W50, the 15W40 was fine in the winter, I also have a worn left side throttle body which makes a hell of a row, but I am happy with the clearances and general health of the motor is good.

Stewart