Engine Balance Shaft and Bearing failure

[rin_sun]

Hi Guys,

Thoughts/suggestions please.
And
Has anyone else now had this problem?

Don't know the cause. North Oxford are suggesting replacing the 2 parts that have failed but I'm worried that the cause may still be there? The German dealer said put a new engine in because they couldn't se the cause and they didn't want a repeat. I'm very wary of just replacing the broken bits in case next time I take it off to Europe I have another engine breakdown.

NOG have emailed to say they agree that engine replacement is the best option but that they are only going to replace the broken bits. Why not do the best option??

What to do?

rin

 

[Greggers]

Holaaa...

I'm sure there was one described as a countershaft bearing failure last year - but that's the only other time I'd come across this ...

I dont know enough about the inside of these motors to say whether there's an inherent weakness or not, but there are quite a few high mileage units around that have not had any problems at all...

I'd be tempted to go with replacing the busted parts, as any other damage would have been evident from the outset. If there's no obvious cause for the failure in the first place it might just have been a dodgy bearing that let go.

Sorry Cath, I can't remember whether you said BMW will take the cost or not - but a new motor as you know will cost megabucks, while fixing the countershaft will be much less. If BMW take the cost, then I'd assume they'd also want to keep their costs down as much as possible - after all their only obligation is to repair the fault. If you have the funds and if you get a choice then you'll have to go with what your head/heart tells you...

HTH

Greg

 

[Sooty09]

Sorry to add to your worries but the F800 engine dose not have a balance shaft. A third crank throw carries a short con rod which pulls a weight up and down. The only moving bits are the crank bearing which is very similar to the main bearings and big ends, a connecting pin and a pivot pin in the crank cases.
Any wear on the crank bearings must be down to lack of lubricant, if so this will probably also result in main bearing failure. Are you sure the cause of any rattles or vibrations has properly been diagnosed.

 

[rin_sun]

Hmn

Thanks for the info, so why am I being told that these parts need to be replaced if one of them doesn't exist? I was quoting from the email that described replacement of "Engine Balance Shaft and Bearings".

BMW have offered to pay most of the repair costs because of the low 21,000miles and relatively new age of the bike (3 years), which I am grateful for.
Obviously I have to pay some of it as it's out of warranty, but the main issue for me is about safety and reliability. We're planning a trip and the last thing I want is more trouble far from home. They are telling me to buy the extended warranty, perhaps to try to assuage my fears but it just makes me think that they don't think it'll be reliable! and doesn't help the fact that another breakdown would mean a ruined trip. It also would be more expensive for them in the long run, I know, I've just paid to bring it home.

rin

 

[Sooty09]

I have been told by my dealer that any repairs carried out by an approved BMW dealer using genuine BMW parts carries a warranty, with this in mind I don't think they will fob you off with a bodged repair. They may have simplified the description of the damaged parts in their report which would explain the balance shaft, its difficult to describe how it actually works.
For Peace of mind you can purchase a breakdown and recovery policy to cover your holiday for £50 or so, otherwise trust the mechanic. Have a good ride round before your holiday to check it out, then go enjoy yourself.

 

[rin_sun]

cause

As regards a cause,

Whele thinks that the rattle was the oil pump, the noise was at the front low down.

But the German dealer said they didn't know what the cause was, hence their advice to have a new engine because they said then they could guarantee the repair. I've used them before and they are reliable.

Unfortunately because BMW UK is a separate company they couldn't do the work and make a goodwill claim on my behalf. That's why I had to go and fetch it. The weird thing is that they were able to do 2 warranty repairs, one was the chain recall. It showed up on their screen when they were doing a service so they did it. Mysteries …

rin

 

[Greggers]

terminology failure ...

I'm thinking that was what was referred to as a countershaft - maybe counter-balance shaft, but am pretty sure it was one of those associated bearings that gave up in the case I mentioned...

If BMW effect your repairs then I'd be reasonably confident in what they do - if you feel the oil pump might have been the cause - bearings generally only fail through oil starvation - then get them to change that too as a precaution.

G

 

[Greggers]

Check this thread

 

[rin_sun]

Had a chat with NOG manager

Thanks for your input.
Still thinking. Talked at length with Matt at NOG. He thinks that it's parts failure since there are no other signs of oil starvation damage to other parts. Only the bottom end is affected.
Quality control seems to be an issue.
rin

 

[rin_sun]

Finally got the bike back

So after a lot of trouble and expense I have the bike back. I have done a few test rides and it seems OK. Rode it to Germany on Tuesday, and it was really nice to have a bike that overtakes again.
I never did find out why it collapsed, I have to trust that it was due to faulty part and hope that it was just that! Now to enjoy a ride to Switzerland at the weekend, and Hungary next month before the snow comes and stops my fun.

 

[Greggers]

Glad it's sorted Rin ...

G

 

[rin_sun]

Tested now

Had a great weekend in Switzerland, the bike was like a dream, and I was riding better too. Got some nice hairpins, Whele may yet get pictures sorted … he takes fab photos. Best bit was getting back to the Italian ice cream parlour on the road home in Germany and keeping up with him for the first time ever!! The bike goes well.

Thanks guys for all your help. Appreciataed.

Rin

 

[Greggers]

Cool Beans!!