R1200GS Starter Noise

[h0wz3r]

When I start my R1200GS in a morning, I hear a metallic grinding noise just after the engine has fired up. It only lasts for half a second or so but it's like the starter isn't disengaging quickly enough.

It doesn't do this every time I start the engine and I couldn't say whether it's any better when the engine's warm or not as I've only had it out once since I bought it last Tuesday.

I've read a good few threads that relate this problem to the starter gear getting dirty and not retracting quick enough as a result but all the threads I've seen concern the R1100 and R1150s.

Apparently it's nothing to worry about, even though it makes me wince every time I hear it, and I could even leave it as it won't damage the bike but wondered if a dab of WD40 might help here and there? Going to give the starter switch a quick spray tonight just in case it's that that's sticking slightly.

If I need to be getting my hands dirty then I'll have to prepare a weekend for it as I've never introduced a screwdriver or spanner to my bikes before!

 

[socket086]

yes you have to get hands dirty. if you spray in wd40 it will make matters better for a short time but will come back worse when the wd40 dries out and the dirt sticks again. remove starter and clean use a dry lube not grease or anything like it as stuff sticks to it.
Also you could give the inside of solinoid a clean as well.

 

[h0wz3r]

So the issue is no different to that of the 1100 & 1150 GSs then?

I couldn't find another 1200GS owner that had the same issues that's all and wondered if it would be something different... obviously not.

Being a completely n00b when it comes to mechanics, what do you call a dry lube? Is taking the starter out, cleaning it and putting it all back again doable for someone like me?

I presume the solenoid is part of the starter mechanism?

 

[tr6 trophy]

just read your last 3 threads,

1. tool kit.....you will never use one

2. engageing first gear ....... try useing your foot

3. starter noise............. keep your helmet on

answer buy an automatic car

 

[h0wz3r]

just read your last 3 threads,

1. tool kit.....you will never use one

2. engageing first gear ....... try useing your foot

3. starter noise............. keep your helmet on

answer buy an automatic car

A bit harsh don't you think? If I want sarcasm I'll ask my kids the same questions thanks.

I've only just got the bike and naturally I have a few questions about it. advice like this never helped anyone, have a little patience, that's all I ask.

 

[andyclift]

Could it be slack being taken up on timing chain. My last GS used to do it.

 

[h0wz3r]

Could it be slack being taken up on timing chain. My last GS used to do it.

Was that the 1200GS? It's not one I've heard mentioned before.

I did wonder if it could be a less than optimal battery that could cause it? Supposedly it had a new battery put on it before I picked it up but I couldn't tell you the rating or make. It's not an Odessey I know that much! Wouldn't suprise me if it wasn't a new battery either ad the seller has a bit of a dodgy reputation but that's another story.

A good friend of mine is very good with mechanics so he said he'll clean and regrease the starter gear for me anyway.

 

[Kremmen]

A bit harsh don't you think? If I want sarcasm I'll ask my kids the same questions thanks.

I've only just got the bike and naturally I have a few questions about it. advice like this never helped anyone, have a little patience, that's all I ask.

I'm afraid there's too much sarcasm on this site.... you feel you ask a sensible question and get back unhelpful, unnecessary comments.

Regards

 

[Drumacoon Lad.]

I agree with h0wz3r about the sarcasm. Not sure where you are coming from tr6 trophy but we should be able to ask technical questions here without getting a response like yours.

There are different skill levels here and people asking a technical question should expect a helpful response. I hope that h0wz3r may now have a better understanding of what the issue may be and decide if he wants to take it on himself or take it to a dealer to get them to sort it.

 

[socket086]

the solinoid is the smaller roundy bit. with the help of your mate you do the work step by step and you will not be long learning how to do bits and pieces. oh no no no no grease any where near the starter . dry lube can be a silicone spray leaves a dry coat has to be dry or stuff sticks.

 

[h0wz3r]

Thought I'd probe a bit more seeing as it's started again.

It hasn't been making the noise on the last few occasions I've started the bike but when I started it on Tuesday evening, the noise has returned. Oddly enough it only seems to do it on a cold start and in colder weather?

The starter engages no problem and turns the engine over, followed by a crunching noise when the engine kicks in. It's much the same noise as if you engaged the starter on a running engine?

Going to remove the starter tonight and re-lube the solenoid with silicone spray to see if that clears it. If that fails though, has anyone else had a similar problem that wasn't dirt and grime stopping the solenoid from retracting quickly enough?

I've also heard about an old style cam chain tensioner but this seems limited to the older 11xx engines not the 1200s. BMW 'upgraded' this tensioner to remove the spring from the mechanism but does this 'upgraded' part apply to all 1200s onwards, even the early ones like mine?

Just eliminating possibilities if the re-lube doesn't cure the problem tonight.

 

[twig]

hi, i had the same problem on my 06 bike. removed starter and cleaned what little bit of crap was on it, it wasn't really that bad tbh. refitted and it certainly cured the noise. that was 4 months ago and all is still fine
hope that helps

 

[hazzy]

i had the same problem on my r1200s,was under warrenty so i took it in,mechanic said the shaft was very dry, re-lubed it it should be fine..it was for all of an hour .replaced with a new unit all fine then.

 

[Myke Rocks]

Starter squeal

Mine has been doing that for 18 months now. I am too lazy to take it off & lubricate it. Obviously dry bearings squealing on overrun.
Maybe in a year or 2 if it needs a clutch, I will do it, but It is not annoying me enough to do anything about it at present.
Myke

 

[h0wz3r]

Sorted

Looks like it was a dry bearing shaft after all. Took the starter out, a job in itself as the rear of the 2 bolts that hold it on is a bugger to access.

Inside it looked pretty darn clean, especially for a 5 year old bike. No marks and little wear from what I could see on both the starter gear and the flywheel. Gave it a generous spray of dry lube and put it all back together again.

HEY PRESTO! No more noises at startup! If I can do it, a complete mechanical n00b then anyone can. Might be worth a go eh Myke?

 

[twig]

excellent, welldone

 

[Pukmeister]

Mines been doing the same for a while, I've been too lazy to sort it but I think I'll get it fixed this weekend, along with a strip and clean of the brake calipers.

 

[Myke Rocks]

Too much like work

Looks like it was a dry bearing shaft after all. Took the starter out, a job in itself as the rear of the 2 bolts that hold it on is a bugger to access.

Inside it looked pretty darn clean, especially for a 5 year old bike. No marks and little wear from what I could see on both the starter gear and the flywheel. Gave it a generous spray of dry lube and put it all back together again.

HEY PRESTO! No more noises at startup! If I can do it, a complete mechanical n00b then anyone can. Might be worth a go eh Myke?

Not unless I have some other reason to take the starter off.
It's not incompetence or lack of knowledge, it is laziness!
Myke

 

[JPB]

I agree with h0wz3r about the sarcasm. Not sure where you are coming from tr6 trophy but we should be able to ask technical questions here without getting a response like yours.

There are different skill levels here and people asking a technical question should expect a helpful response. I hope that h0wz3r may now have a better understanding of what the issue may be and decide if he wants to take it on himself or take it to a dealer to get them to sort it.

+ 1! He wasn't asking a stupid question and you have to wonder about people feel the need to inflict their bile on the rest of us. As Thumper's mum said: if you can't say nuthin nice (or helpful), don't say nuthin at all!

 

[Myke Rocks]

Whatever you say, say nothing

+ 1! He wasn't asking a stupid question and you have to wonder about people feel the need to inflict their bile on the rest of us. As Thumper's mum said: if you can't say nuthin nice (or helpful), don't say nuthin at all!

So, if I read this sentence correctly, Thumper's mum is advising us, if we cannot say anything nice, to say something rude!

Well, I didn't say anything rude, because I had nothing rude to say.
Myke