Help! R1200GS Starter Shagged

[reddude]

Guys

Am wandering in Morocco at the moment and I dropped the bike on its right hand side in a river today. Unfortunately hit the start button before my brain had a chance to kick in. Seems I had quite a lot of water in the airbox, pistons etc. When it turned over, I heard a loud clunk and then nothing. The starter motor is fine but I guess I have buggered the starter mechanism.

I had some water in the engine oil but have flushed it and renewed. Am able to bump start it with help.

Any one have any idea
1. Is there anything I can do to deal the problem short of taking it to the nearest BMW dealer?
2. Anybody done this and willing to let me know the bad news on the likely cost to fix?


Thanks

 

[mateyboy]

I think you've bolleauxed up the fluffle valve. I know a guy in Agadir he'll fix it and he speaks perfect French, let me know if u want his number.

 

[BiG DoM]

Very simply - the bike sucked in water and got hydrolic lock (you cannot compress water). When you hit the starter button the starter tried to turn the engine and could not ... the starter has a ring gear that has stripped (broken teeth). I think it is designed this way so it gives rather than conrod etc. Only thing to do is replace the starter or maybe can do justthe ring gear.
And yes will bump start. Essentially when these beasts suck in water you must drain air box, remove plugs and ONLY then turn engine to eject water ... then can put back togetrher and start.

You need to do a snorkel mod for water crossings - very simple and cheap - do a search on Advrider website - I did a write-up a few years ago.

 

[reddude]

Thanks for the help guys.

Looks like a lot of bump starts between here and blighty. Got to get back asap so no time to get a fix here.

 

[Pukmeister]

Last time a mate did the same to his 1200, the starter motor cracked the bellhousing/engine casing at the LH side outside edge where the starter motor dowel locates. You might want to check yours for the same damage.

FWIW the dealer replaced his starter ring gear under warranty, the cracked casing was no problem and was left 'as is'.

 

[Toad]

Let me know how you get on.

I've got a 1200 wating for an identical repair

 

[reddude]

Last time a mate did the same to his 1200, the starter motor cracked the bellhousing/engine casing at the LH side outside edge where the starter motor dowel locates. You might want to check yours for the same damage.

FWIW the dealer replaced his starter ring gear under warranty, the cracked casing was no problem and was left 'as is'.

I have had the starter out and the end of the starter motor has broken off. As these are a sealed unit, it is a complete unit replacement. Unfortunately, it seems this shrapnel probably contacted the starter ring and I have lost 1 tooth.

At the moment, I am 'not feeling the love' with the warranty situation and it looks like being a full day labour to replace the ring.

Any idea how your mate got the ring replaced under warranty?

Ta

 

[Clive]

I have had the starter out and the end of the starter motor has broken off. As these are a sealed unit, it is a complete unit replacement. Unfortunately, it seems this shrapnel probably contacted the starter ring and I have lost 1 tooth.

Has the tooth gone completely?

I've had several partially missing teeth and a new starter motor still worked ok with them gone - just made a hell of a noise.

 

[reddude]

yep. 1 totally sheared off.

 

[Pukmeister]

Reddue,

if the dealer repairing my mates bike had to say it happened due to fording rivers I doubt they would have been able to make a successful warranty claim for repairs.

Allegedly it just 'went with a bang' whilst starting so he got a warranty repair, all faulty parts were replaced and it was fine. Must've been the starter motor at fault.

He now rides a new GSA so if you bought a Blue 54 plate R1200GS with a small crack in the bellhousing next to the starter motor you now know how it happened.

 

[reddude]

All's well that ends well. We are back in the saddle again.

Just had an excellent warranty experience from BMW and they even fixed things I didn't ask for! They replaced the mirrors cos they apparently rattled.....I hadn't noticed. Go figure....

Now, anyone got an opinion as to likely longer term impact on the drive train of all those bump starts?

 

[Pukmeister]

Now, anyone got an opinion as to likely longer term impact on the drive train of all those bump starts?

Yeah, absolutely no worries. Just ride it and enjoy.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

As a thought, you could fit a "Lanyard cut off switch", like drag racers use. As soon as you come off the bike, it kills the engine (designed to stop 1000bhp beasts continuing without a rider on board )

I don't know if this would be a viable option, as you wouldn't be able to move your right hand very far from the throttle without killing the engine.


At least the bike would not be laid on it's side, ticking over, sucking in dirt through a hole in the rocker cover.....

They also use the same system on jetskis.


Pingel do them here
http://www.pingelonline.com/kill_switches.htm