Replacement engine?

[Neatbyname]

The engine in my 800GS is getting noisier -- seems "rougher" and vibrates more than I recall at about 4500 rpm. I worry about the internals giving up. The guys at my local BMW agency reckon it might be piston slap -- but it's fine when it's cold, only seems to get noisier once it's warmed up.

Should I be worried?

At some point in the future I guess I might need to replace the engine -- but I've no idea how to go about finding a replacement engine. I know someone offered one on ebay not long ago -- but how would you go about finding an engine for offer on ebay? Or do I contact known bike breakers and let them know I'm in the market for an engine?

Any advice and suggestions welcome (well, polite ones, at least).

Cheers

 

[Schtum]

How many miles are on it - service history - any remaining warranty?

 

[steve hughes]

Fuelling ? Balancer issues , cold oil will reduce vibs and attenuate noise. When was it serviced last ?

 

[Neatbyname]

I bought the bike in March 2008, so it is now out of warranty. Done roughly 13,000 miles. It has full BMW service history (although the first year was with BMW in Italy, so not sure how good that was ). Last serviced late October. That's when I mentioned the noisy engine to them. They had a couple of ideas on that -- either piston slap or possibly something to do with the water pump.

Any ideas or suggestions welcomed!

Cheers,
Paul

 

[Schtum]

Rather than thinking about replacing the engine at this point or even waiting until it goes bang, it's probably more cost-effective to get some investigative and remedial work done sooner rather than later.

I'd have thought that piston slap would indicate signficant bore wear which doesn't seem likely at 13K miles. If you're worried about it, find someone else on here with an 800, compare notes and engine noises. Then, if you're not happy twiddling spanners, get someone to look at it. Obviously, BMW are more likely to consider any goodwill claim if the work is carried out by a dealership.

 

[outrunner]

Not good news Paul, I hope it is nothing serious. I bought my 08 in May with 9000 on it and it has done 16500 miles now with no problems, OK it is a 650gs but basically the same engine.



Andy.

 

[(RIP) Bobble]

I have heard of engine replacements on the 800, and people having new pistons due to slap / premature wear over on the f800 forum www.f800riders.org could be worth having a look on there..

 

[Neatbyname]

Rather than thinking about replacing the engine at this point or even waiting until it goes bang, it's probably more cost-effective to get some investigative and remedial work done sooner rather than later.

The guys at my local BMW agency reckoned it would cost about £5000 to do the work needed if the problem really was piston slap -- £4000 for parts, £1000 for labour! They would be willing to pursue the possibility of a goodwill claim if the problem gets worse, but nothing they can do at present.

So, at present my plan is just to put some more miles on it, see if the noise develops to the point where the mechanics can hear it clearly and then see what to do about it from there. But I thought I would start putting a contingency plan in place in case of bad news.

 

[Neatbyname]

Not good news Paul, I hope it is nothing serious. I bought my 08 in May with 9000 on it and it has done 16500 miles now with no problems, OK it is a 650gs but basically the same engine.

Andy.

Hi Andy, since we are both in the same neck of the woods, maybe one of these days we can meet up and compare engine noises. It might help put my mind at rest. The only other 800GS I've ridden was at the BMW Off-Road Skills course, and that was under somewhat different conditions to my normal riding!

Cheers,
Paul

 

[AberdeenAngus]

So, your engine sounds rough and you think the best solution is a new engine.............!

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

So, your engine sounds rough and you think the best solution is a new engine.............!

That's a solution

 

[Neatbyname]

So, your engine sounds rough and you think the best solution is a new engine.............!

If you've got a better idea, I would be interested to hear it.

 

[Deak]

Piston slap is more evident when cold, not hot.

If it was piston slap, the aluminium piston would knock/rattle in the cylinder bore due to a larger than normal clearance between the cylinder bore and piston skirt when cold.

As the piston heats, the alloy would expand at a greater rate than the cast iron cylinder bore, creating less clearance and therefore less piston slap.

I'd be looking at the valve gear before delving any deeper.

 

[Neatbyname]

Piston slap is more evident when cold, not hot.

Deak -- that's what I thought, which makes me worry about main bearings and the like.

But I'll run your suggestion past the boys as BMW next time I'm through there.

If it is valve gear, what's the likelihood of catastrophic failure?

 

[AberdeenAngus]

If you've got a better idea, I would be interested to hear it.

No, just pulling your leg. An engine change is the obvious solution.