Engine dies... an Update

[PCH-101]

Further to my last post...

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61789

I did 180 miles yesterday and she didn't conk out on me, although she is still idling below 1000rpm it seems and she waivers a bit like she's thinking about it. So the idle needs upping for sure.

What I did discover was a very slight surging effect bang on 3000rpm - noticeable more via vibes than a change in pace, but got me wondering if the two aren't related - Carb's out of balance? Anyone else noticed similar?

Cheers - Richard

 

[cookie]

check TPS voltage & balance your throttle bodies.

 

[Tarka]

- Carb's out of balance?

There`s rather a good chance that won`t be the problem........

 

[Snooky]

Have you checked the plug caps, mine was a bit like that till Steptoe showed my how quickly then can corrode, and seeing as the coil is in built it could be the issue, since getting new ones, idle is normal, no hunting and seems to run much smoother now. Oh and new ones are totally covered in grease now

 

[PCH-101]

I did have quick look when I was checking leads etc, all well in that dept. the bikes only 9 weeks old and splattered with ACF50 - so should be safe from rot for a bit. I hope.
Cheers - R

 

[Timolgra]

Might be worth checking the two rubber caps that blank the take off for vacuum gauges, they might be split or even missing. Causes an air leak and may affect low speed running.

 

[ferguscawley]

I agree with Cookie. That has all the symptoms of a TPS voltage that is too low. Did you by any chance drop the bike on the LHS at any stage recently ?
BMW recommend TPS setting at 0.370 volts. I find it runs much better about 0.39 or 0.4.

 

[cookie]

but don't go over 0.4 or the ECU will not recognise the setting.

 

[PCH-101]

Nope, not dropped her, and she's been back to the dealer and been on the computer - so I'd hopefully expect them to have seen any low voltage's.
Going to put some more miles on and see what transpires.

Cheers - R

 

[GS_Mad]

Intersting read. I also have an 1150 GSA SE, now got 3k on the clock. Mine has also cut out 3 times just as you describe.

If you do get to the cause then please let me know.

Cheers.

 

[MikeP]

I've just read this and the earlier thread.

I've got an '04 Adventure, it did the same thing a couple of times in the first thousand miles or so.

It's never done it again but I do notice that in certain circumstances it almost does it from time to time. Yesterday on the A5 on my way to Llangollen, when I got near Oswestry, there is a sequence of roundabouts less than a mile apart with excellent wide roads between. I was wringing the bike's neck and braking hard before the roundabouts. (Much harder repeated accelleration and braking than I would in almost any other circumstances).

A couple of times, under braking the revs dropped below the usual idle speed and it felt as though the engine was going to cut-out momentarily before it picked up normal idle speed.

I have to say that in the above circumstances, I'm braking much harder and later than normal (for me) without changing down & matching the revs. I just short-shift down to the gear I need to enter the roundabout while braking hard. That means the clutch is disengaged during the heavy braking, again not something I nomally do

It is only in the above circumstances that I've ever noticed this.

I'm not sure if your problem occurs in similar circumstances.

 

[Den]

Maybe .... just maybe, your engine actually did die. But due to a mistake up in engine heaven, it actually died before its time.
When it went through the tunnel toward the light, and saw lots of other engines waiting for it with there plug leads outstretched, it suddenly heard a mysterious voice saying ' its not your time yet' and felt itself hurtling backwards away from the welcoming motive hosts.
If this is the case, it should be alright for a while yet.
It had a lucky escape. Doesnt happen often though.

 

[PCH-101]

Update

Mike...
I upped the idle to around 1150 - 1200rpm - and it seemed to do the job, your explaination of the hard and fast riding is indeed in keeping with the same experiences I had, although sometimes it would do it just coasting to a stop.

All I needed was half a turn or so on each idle screw - and all was OK.

 

[Pukmeister]

A mate had very similar symptoms with his 1150 ADV plus an annoying rattle or tick from the throttle bodies especially the RHS one at idle, like a badly set tappet sound. Turns out the spindle bushes in the throttle bodies were worn (20k on the bike). New throttle bodies from BMW under warranty cured it.