Stick coil about to burst !

[alphadog]

never seen anything like it before, in prep for setting valves today I removed the stick coils and plugs, one stick coil was so swollen up it was a struggle to remove and looks like a fat sausage ready to explode ! how could it still be working ? why didn't it just short out ?
I knocked all the rust off, cleaned it up and covered it in insulation tape just so I could start the bike up after setting valves, but was amazed that it still worked.
have placed a wanted advert, in the hope of finding a less expensive alternative to the £80 new option.

after starting up there is still another tapping noise, so I guess its the cam tensioner next .

 

[Fanum]

never seen anything like it before, in prep for setting valves today I removed the stick coils and plugs, one stick coil was so swollen up it was a struggle to remove and looks like a fat sausage ready to explode ! how could it still be working ? why didn't it just short out ?
I knocked all the rust off, cleaned it up and covered it in insulation tape just so I could start the bike up after setting valves, but was amazed that it still worked.
have placed a wanted advert, in the hope of finding a less expensive alternative to the £80 new option.

after starting up there is still another tapping noise, so I guess its the cam tensioner next .

Oddly enough I have literally just sent a PM to someone about a couple of spares I have here.......I have a mate coming tomorrow with a working twin spark (Mine is OTR with a dead battery until next week) and I should be able to test the two spare out on his.....I imagine that the guy i've just PMd back will only want one as a backup.....I'll post it up when I know anyway, but FFS hassle me if I don't....my short term memory is off at the moment (long story) but I'm clearing out all or most of the doubled up spares I had in the boxes for Moto Morocco at the moment

 

[newboy]

I'll only need one I think....

 

[rudiemoto]

must have change 30 ish in 4 years at shop .also 1200 things go same way
80 dollar is cheap try riding a 1200wc with gearbox that dont work
15 grand ..........

 

[alphadog]

thanks for the replies, have once again managed to get sorted from fellow member within the shortest of times ! bonus is that he lives in Norfolk, so have paid collected and busy fitting !
what a helpful site this is.

 

[King Rat]

You as well
I went to take mine out for the same reason and there was a big split in the tin toy casing (in actual fact an old clockwork tin toy was probably built with thicker bodywork!) was split and swollen to the point I had to lever the coil out. It was wedged solid - it made me wonder how or why water was getting there to corrode it in the first place. It was still working also - but i stumped up the £65 each from Motobins for a new pair, because when I pulled the other side out it was still the original, grey, plastic one....can't last much longer surely. With a trip to France coming up next week I wanted to be covered, so going right through all the basics. Plugs, coils (this time), fork seals (because they have been keeping the bike winterised on a constant basis since about Oct) valve clearances......oil and filters.

i would like to know why they corrode like that. Where does the water come from if they are sealed and the heat generated when running should dry them out. Mystery to me. Hearing about 'modern' BMW issues I am glad I stuck with my old 1150s instead of being seduced by slick marketing speak.

 

[dxamet]

Here I would like to answer, I've learned a lot from this forum and this is indeed my first contribution. It was fed to me, always the same problems with the stick coils on my 1150. The last time the stick coil was even on fire. I have removed them away from the heat, now almost two years ago and I've had no problems anymore with the stick coils.
Sorry my english is automatic google translation, I know it's sometimes hilarious, but the google people should know better.

dxamet

 

[alphadog]

that is a very clever solution and neat job, well done. however it looks a little vulnerable if you go off road.

 

[Ian J Hartley]

i would like to know why they corrode like that. Where does the water come from if they are sealed and the heat generated when running should dry them out. Mystery to me.

The water gets in via the vent hole next to the exhaust heater, which passes through the cylinder head and out via the hole next to the intake. Have a look with a torch, you will see the black plastic of the stick coil visible. The water turns to steam. This then attacks the mild steel outer casing of the coil.

Water, road salt, mild steel, electricity.

You know the rest.

Ian

 

[dxamet]

that is a very clever solution and neat job, well done. however it looks a little vulnerable if you go off road.

Thanks alphadog, but no problem, my bike is pretty "bomb proof"

dxamet

 

[ahutcheon]

Thanks alphadog, but no problem, my bike is pretty "bomb proof"

dxamet

That bike is horny as fcuk! I was going to note that my replacement stick coils have been fine in the standard place since one caught fire two and a bit years ago. But that bike is horny as fcuk!

Chapeau, sir.

 

[alphadog]

love the look of your bike !, looks like we have the same taste.

 

[Steptoe]

Stick coils catching fire isn't that unusual. Hence why bmw sell a stick coil wiring repair kit to make good the wiring when it melts.

 

[Duegi]

dxamet

Do you have a make model and part number for the spark plug wire you are now using to run from the stick coil to the spark plug?
Or does anyone have a source for the spark plug wire used in the previous pictures to move the stick coil out of the cylinder head?

 

[Madmountainman]

You can buy the standard single spark plug leads and adapt them to fit on the ends of the stick coils. There's a thread on Advrider explaining it.

 

[mspenz]

Lovely bike Dxamet, obviously loved, well used and abused in the right way

Why the oil cooler below the telelever and does it get enough air there?

 

[Comfy Old Boots]

That bike is horny as fcuk! I was going to note that my replacement stick coils have been fine in the standard place since one caught fire two and a bit years ago. But that bike is horny as fcuk!

Chapeau, sir.

Nicebike!

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Nicebike!

Indeed - fecking gorgeous!

Andres