Right leg under thigh getting cooked

[Deleted account 211025001]

I took mine this week 26-9-18 to Hilltop for an independent opinion. I wanted Geoff to put it on their rolling road and give a full report on fuelling mixtures, temps etc but after only 30 seconds with a thermal imaging camera (before we even got to the dyno) he told me (and showed me) that the cat had failed. It should have been a smooth colour (even temperature) but was blotchy and patchy with big hot spots. This was at just 2500rpm, at 3500rpm it got worse. This showed that the internals of the cat had broken down and were restricting the flow and building up heat which is being emitted near the foot rest. This will be magnified under engine load which is why they seem perfectly fine ticking over in the BMW workshop but get really hot on A roads and motorways.

I went straight to Pidcocks from Hilltop and reported this to them. I also contacted Rachel at BMW UK and reported the findings to her. It is now booked in with Pidcocks for "further investigation" even though I have told them the problem. I now expect the exhaust system to be replaced at the very least...... but I bet it's not.

I'm getting really pissed off now as this was reported July 11th and still not sorted.

I've updated in BMW Customer Services.

and so it continues........

PS Thanks For the PM's people (you know who you are) hope its good ammo for you at your dealers too!

Keep at it Simon, fingers crossed you’re on the home straight

Andres

PS If that fails you’ll just have to go Orange, you know it makes sense

 

[Bobbin-Man]

I'm currently in the Picos so getting repeated days use of the bike ... and the problem has been totally inconsistent. I felt initially that the heat was more prevalent when on longish downhill stretches, plenty of off-throttle, but today there's been little of the problem even though similar riding. It's hard to believe that it could be a damaged cat and yet remain inconsistent?

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

I'm currently in the Picos so getting repeated days use of the bike ... and the problem has been totally inconsistent. I felt initially that the heat was more prevalent when on longish downhill stretches, plenty of off-throttle, but today there's been little of the problem even though similar riding. It's hard to believe that it could be a damaged cat and yet remain inconsistent?

Maybe it is feeling better due to the cooler weather.

 

[Bobbin-Man]

Possibly. A little cooler today, but I'm still sure there's little consistency to it. Been riding two-up also but my pillion isn't aware of any additional heat so it must be quite localised.

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

Possibly. A little cooler today, but I'm still sure there's little consistency to it. Been riding two-up also but my pillion isn't aware of any additional heat so it must be quite localised.

Totally agree and with the cooler weather kicking in, we will wear thicker pants, and might think problem has gone away, but it obviously has not.

 

[sdcastle]

Andres, heaven forbid

 

[ncpierce]

The bike is still with them.

The left hand side of the bike is running about 50 degrees hotter than the right. The have changed everything they can think of but are fitting a new throttle body to that side in case that is the problem.

Well they fitted a new throttle body and also put a new cat on as well. Seemed all right on the trip home but have not had chance to get out on it again as yet. Lets hope that this helps others get theirs sorted.

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

Well they fitted a new throttle body and also put a new cat on as well. Seemed all right on the trip home but have not had chance to get out on it again as yet. Lets hope that this helps others get theirs sorted.

Hopefully it is sorted, would still be interesting to know what was the main problem CAT or throttle body, or maybe both.

 

[Bobbin-Man]

Well they fitted a new throttle body and also put a new cat on as well. Seemed all right on the trip home but have not had chance to get out on it again as yet. Lets hope that this helps others get theirs sorted.

Is this not a different issue if it’s the left side you have a problem with?

 

[ncpierce]

Is this not a different issue if it’s the left side you have a problem with?

No I think that because the exhaust runs up the right hand side of the bike out of the CAT that's where you feel the heat. There is the swingarm on the LH which probably absorbs/deflects the heat.

 

[sdcastle]

Got this email today (3rd visit)
"We have been talking to BMW today and we have had a response.

We have let them know the bike is on site and the reasons behind it including the report of a broken down cat.

The response unfortunately is 'We are aware that a small number of K50/51 models with EU4 specification have been reported with increased exhaust heat at the R/H side of the bike. Test with BMW Germany have found that the actual increase is only 2/3 degrees, (although perception is higher) so no action is planned. I can't see the catalysts is damaged as our motorcycles catalyst have a heavy duty metal matrix unlike the ceramic type used in most cars.'

Unfortunately all we can do at the moment is pass you back to BMW customer services, as much as I don't want to as I know that hasn't been the best line for you so far."

Just ordered decat headers. Fuck BMW. You get no more of my money!

 

[Matty589]

Yep, I got the “no error codes so tough” response. I wa even told to stop using V-Power as it makes it run hotter, which as the likelihood is less unburnt fuel and so lower exhaust temperature, I’m inclined to believe I’m being fed BS. Replacement before it fails or boils over probably makes more sense than arguing with the mothership!

 

[Clifton]

....Just ordered decat headers. Fuck BMW. You get no more of my money!

The ultimate answer. I was about to order Remus headers for my 2014 GSA due to heat at my right calf but unexpectedly ended up changing bikes before I did.

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

Got this email today (3rd visit)
"We have been talking to BMW today and we have had a response.

We have let them know the bike is on site and the reasons behind it including the report of a broken down cat.

The response unfortunately is 'We are aware that a small number of K50/51 models with EU4 specification have been reported with increased exhaust heat at the R/H side of the bike. Test with BMW Germany have found that the actual increase is only 2/3 degrees, (although perception is higher) so no action is planned. I can't see the catalysts is damaged as our motorcycles catalyst have a heavy duty metal matrix unlike the ceramic type used in most cars.'

Unfortunately all we can do at the moment is pass you back to BMW customer services, as much as I don't want to as I know that hasn't been the best line for you so far."

Just ordered decat headers. Fuck BMW. You get no more of my money!

If so many people are affected by this problem, UK and overseas bods link together, could not a USA lawyer start a class action lawsuit, that would put the shitters up them, as fines in USA are always in the billions.

 

[Clifton]

...could not a USA lawyer start a class action lawsuit, that would put the shitters up them, as fines in USA are always in the billions.

Lawyers over here would be all over it if they thought they had a chance to convince some jury it was a harm or safety problem, but doubtful if just an issue of discomfort.

Interesting to see if they've addressed the problem with the new VVT engine. Oz riders should be the first to find out.

 

[papasquelch]

Got this email today (3rd visit)
"We have been talking to BMW today and we have had a response.

We have let them know the bike is on site and the reasons behind it including the report of a broken down cat.

The response unfortunately is 'We are aware that a small number of K50/51 models with EU4 specification have been reported with increased exhaust heat at the R/H side of the bike. Test with BMW Germany have found that the actual increase is only 2/3 degrees, (although perception is higher) so no action is planned. I can't see the catalysts is damaged as our motorcycles catalyst have a heavy duty metal matrix unlike the ceramic type used in most cars.'

Unfortunately all we can do at the moment is pass you back to BMW customer services, as much as I don't want to as I know that hasn't been the best line for you so far."

Just ordered decat headers. Fuck BMW. You get no more of my money!

Did Pidcocks confirm that the cat had collapsed? Removing the headers and shaking them would have established if this was the case.

 

[Nutty]

The ultimate answer. I was about to order Remus headers for my 2014 GSA due to heat at my right calf but unexpectedly ended up changing bikes before I did.

What bike did you get?

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

Lawyers over here would be all over it if they thought they had a chance to convince some jury it was a harm or safety problem, but doubtful if just an issue of discomfort.

Interesting to see if they've addressed the problem with the new VVT engine. Oz riders should be the first to find out.

Cheers for that useful answer, so the spokes and wheels collapsing guys could definately do it then, sorry for the mini hijack.

 

[Clifton]

What bike did you get?

Nutty a 16 R1200RS.

I'd taken the 14 GSA in for the fork recall and while waiting kept looking at a 16 RS sitting on the floor. While I really liked the GSA there were some advantages to trading (if they'd do it fairly):
I have an Africa Twin which somewhat duplicates the GSA.
My GSA was out of warranty and had 32,000 miles, the 16 RS had 25 miles and warranty would be through February 2021.

I ask the salesman to work up a difference between the two bikes. Wasn't expecting much of a deal because they already had two 2014 White GSA's just like mine on the floor, one with less miles and one with more. Net difference was my 14 GSA with factory bags + $1,900 for the RS including factory bags (which he had to order). Naturally the RS is a less expensive motorcycle but still I thought it was a fair deal so took it.

Btw I don't notice the right calf heat on the RS like I did on the GSA.

 

[sdcastle]

Did Pidcocks confirm that the cat had collapsed? Removing the headers and shaking them would have established if this was the case.

Papa, dont be silly! That would mean a technician getting his hands dirty, might even break a nail All they do is plug it in to their diagnostics and say everything's fine. They didn't even remove the cover on the flappy valve or the silencer the first time to check that the flappy valve actually was working, I know because when I got it home I did it myself and the torx heads were still full of mud and dirt.

Anyway, my last comment on all of this is the Black Widow decat headers were ordered on Tuesday morning, they arrived on Wednesday morning, fitted within 2 hours and on Thursday I had a 317 mile blast around Elan Valley with WelshDave of this parish. No heat issues, not even slightly warm rear foot rest or frame. Cost me £300 but at least I can get out and about again......... Sounds nice too now