Re listening to your videos, I think yours may have a different noise.Mine was more sporadic and metallic.
R1250GS Rattling noise
- Thread starter scarab1987
- Start date
I have no idea what BMW do behind the scenes, but I’ve just bought the latest off the line 1250 GSA, and this one purrs. It doesn’t matter if the engine is hot or cold, it just sounds very different, in a good way. It sounds like I expect it to sound. Finally!
Evolution
scarab1987
Registered user
Could you please provide the exact plug part number? I have tested cooler plugs in the past without luck. If the fix is do easy, why Bmw insists at hotter plugs?
Do you have GS-911? If yes, there is a mode that you can test the shiftcam. I have checked it at mine and the sound that comes when shiftcam moves intake cams, is exactly same when I hear pinging on board.
I think you’re correct about that. I’ve been a BMW customer for quite a few decades (cars longer than their bikes) but I’ve found that they don’t tend to shout about it if it’s been an issue, they just quietly fix it as though it was never an issue in the first place.
They are NGK LMAR9AI-10 Iridium spark plugs.The originals were NGK LMAR8AI-10s. Yes, I have a GS911, but I know the noise of the shift cam and it wasnt that.
Anyway, as Ive said, the noise is not present anymore and the shiftcams are still working
Maybe they chose the hotter plugs for emissions reasons? Euro 5 is very strict.
I have the same problem, and the original post is the best video footage I've seen of the issue. Like most on here, when I asked BMW about it I was told there was no problem with my bike.
I think it's the exhaust valve rattling against the inside of the exhaust. My main reason for thinking this is that in an attempt to resolve the issue I disconnected the servo and fitted a Healtech bypass, and the problem stopped. It's not gone away completely, but its about 10% as bad as it was, not in terms of the sound but in terms of how often and for how long it happens. The original poster said he did this too, but it made no difference. I wonder if his exhaust valve is just looser, or stayed stuck in a closed, or semi-closed position. Maybe his just rattles all the time, regardless of being open or closed.
The noise really does sound like two metal parts rattling against one another. It's like shaking a metal tin with a ball bearing inside. If it was something in the engine it would clearly be a major fault, it's so pronounced.
When I experienced the noise it never seemed to me to be related to the engine internals as such, and was more to do with the overall vibration of the bike. The noise happened more like when the bike vibrated at a certain frequency, which generally was aligned with revs and loading. This also aligned with the point in the rev range where the valve would be opening, or moving to a semi-opened position. Perhaps rotating it makes it rattle more.
I would like to know if anyone with replacement headers which don't have a flapper valve in them has the same problem. I'm willing to bet not.
I wonder how easy it would be to cut the flapper valve out of the original exhaust. If I'm just leaving it open now it's basically functionless anyway.
I think it's the exhaust valve rattling against the inside of the exhaust. My main reason for thinking this is that in an attempt to resolve the issue I disconnected the servo and fitted a Healtech bypass, and the problem stopped. It's not gone away completely, but its about 10% as bad as it was, not in terms of the sound but in terms of how often and for how long it happens. The original poster said he did this too, but it made no difference. I wonder if his exhaust valve is just looser, or stayed stuck in a closed, or semi-closed position. Maybe his just rattles all the time, regardless of being open or closed.
The noise really does sound like two metal parts rattling against one another. It's like shaking a metal tin with a ball bearing inside. If it was something in the engine it would clearly be a major fault, it's so pronounced.
When I experienced the noise it never seemed to me to be related to the engine internals as such, and was more to do with the overall vibration of the bike. The noise happened more like when the bike vibrated at a certain frequency, which generally was aligned with revs and loading. This also aligned with the point in the rev range where the valve would be opening, or moving to a semi-opened position. Perhaps rotating it makes it rattle more.
I would like to know if anyone with replacement headers which don't have a flapper valve in them has the same problem. I'm willing to bet not.
I wonder how easy it would be to cut the flapper valve out of the original exhaust. If I'm just leaving it open now it's basically functionless anyway.
Mine too..
GelandeStress
Registered user
I previously posted that the dealership fixed the rattle by replacing the clutch basket. The noise disappeared for a few weeks, but it eventually came back. 2 months on, the noise is awful and worse than ever before. Below are two videos of the recent noise.
I have seen suggestions regarding spark plugs but this noise (like the original poster) are definitely a metallic ‘rattle’ and not pinking/knocking.
Next month I have the yearly service and I’m going to demand this to be fixed for good and, if there is anyone still experiencing this issue, I will update you on my experience and hopefully a technical fix.
Rattle noise video 1
Rattle noise video 2
Best
I have seen suggestions regarding spark plugs but this noise (like the original poster) are definitely a metallic ‘rattle’ and not pinking/knocking.
Next month I have the yearly service and I’m going to demand this to be fixed for good and, if there is anyone still experiencing this issue, I will update you on my experience and hopefully a technical fix.
Rattle noise video 1
Rattle noise video 2
Best
scarab1987
Registered user
Ι had 100% exactly same noise. I have tried everything. From clutch, spark plugs, cam timing etc. Every possible source. Only cam timing has reduced the noise at about 60%, so 40 % of noise remains. My conclusion is that the sound comes from Shifcams when move, because I can produce same sound with GS911, when I test Shiftcam, at center stand. So I learnt to live with it.
As, I mentioned previously, I had the same issue.. on a 6000 mile 2020 GSA (which it did from new) clattery, rattley, tappetty. My new 2023/24 GSA purrs!
If, in the meantime, BMW have carried out any fixes, they won’t shout about it or make any announcements, they’ll just do them quietly in the background and carry on as normal. They’re not going to say “Err, we’ve fixed the rattley engine problem”. Imagine how many would want a slice of that.
Hope those persisting in finding solutions for this problem get good outcomes
If, in the meantime, BMW have carried out any fixes, they won’t shout about it or make any announcements, they’ll just do them quietly in the background and carry on as normal. They’re not going to say “Err, we’ve fixed the rattley engine problem”. Imagine how many would want a slice of that.
Hope those persisting in finding solutions for this problem get good outcomes
Worth checking the knock sensors if you thing it’s pinking .
If doesn't sounds engine related at all. Not from the video anyway. More like from body work, accessories or fittings.
scarab1987
Registered user
After many months of searching, replacing parts, timing, tensioners, camshaft, everything. My conclusion is that the sound comes from intake camshafts, when Shiftcam move them left and right and is normal because metallic surfaces touch. I can also reproduce the sound with GS911 when I test manually Shiftcam.
If it was the shift cam operating, why would it produce an extended noise like on the video clip?The shift cam actuates then the higher lift lobe is in position.One actuation.One noise.If its the shiftcam continually operating over a longer period of time, youve got a further, more diagnoseable problem.
Mine was pinking in advance of shift cam deployment. Just been on a 800 mile tour two up with luggage.Doesnt pink any more.
GelandeStress
Registered user
Did your problem sound like the noise in my videos? I think something is loose/excessive play because it sounds like metal rattling under stress...
Id say mine was more erratic and stereotypical pinking.Awful sound and reminds me of an old Bonneville 650 I had that used to pink just before it blew up.Which was regularly
Yours sounds a little different.More regular and a bit more "chainy".
Does it do it every acceleration cycle?
GelandeStress
Registered user
Only under hard acceleration or with a heavy load. Can easily be replicated when needed. It's booked in for it's 4th analysis and I'm not taking 'its okay' from the dealership any longer.Id say mine was more erratic and stereotypical pinking.Awful sound and reminds me of an old Bonneville 650 I had that used to pink just before it blew up.Which was regularly
Yours sounds a little different.More regular and a bit more "chainy".
Does it do it every acceleration cycle?
I went down that route and the fucking idiots nearly drove me insane. They didnt have a clue.I tried 3 different ones.
Good luck and please let us know what they say.
scarab1987
Registered user
We hope they will find a solution.
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