Tapping from the cylinder heads

[gazzr]

Hi all,

I have been noticing some tapping/ticking noises from the cylinder heads especially if I open it up around 3,500. Im in Czech at the moment and will be riding bike (2 up) to India so need to make sure it doesnt die on me.

It had the 18,000m service in Germany about 1,000m ago but the noise seems to be comming back again.

Do you think its the valves that need adjusting?

I have also been reading about people ditching the remus & y peice and have just read the story about dropped valves etc. Not what I need when im in the middle of Ukraine next month.

What to do?

 

[Gecko]

What do your spark plugs look like ? If they are a nice light brown caramel colour your aren't running lean.

What kind of fuel are you using ? Czech petrol isn't likely to be highest quality (or proce) Shell optimax so this may cause some pinking.

What oil diod they put in at the last service - if it is a thin oil and it's very hot everything seems to rattle and click more than when you use a heavier oil and it's cooler.

Check the plugs again and if all looks well put your earplugs in and just enjoy the trip.

 

[gazzr]

Hi Gecko,

Thanks for the advise, I'll check the plugs when I get back to the tent tonight. Maybe I will take a picture and try and put it on here. The oil was Silkolene Synthetic 15-45 from what I remember.

I dont think the plugs were changed at the 18,000m service so will be interesting to see what they look like after 8,000m. Shame I couldnt speak German as a could have asked some more questions at the BMW dealers.

Yeah your right I should use the ear plugs more often. Normally they are only used in emergencies when the people in the next tent start snoring.

gazzr

 

[gazzr]

Petrol has been 95 Unleaded so far. Try and use "brand name" service stations as much as possible like Agip etc

 

[Possu]

I've never had fuel quality issues in Eastern Europe.

Take an hour out & check your valve clearances yourself to see if there's a problem?

 

[Gecko]

I've never had fuel quality issues in Eastern Europe.

Take an hour out & check your valve clearances yourself to see if there's a problem?

Wanna bet he hasn't got a set of feeler gauges......especially not 2x 0.15 and 2x 0.30

 

[Gecko]

Gazzr
If you are feeling lots of vibration since the service then it would follow that the valve adjustment probably hasn't been done well. If it's not vibey and just you hear the rattling more than you maybe used to it could be the sounds we all have and if you are loaded up with a tank bag and maybe even tank panniers the sound is channeled differently so it sounds strange and new.
My old R11GS rattles and clunck like a good un but it always has - as long as it's not vibrating I don't worry. Mine always sounds different when I am fully loaded....
Good luck.

 

[gazzr]

Feeler Gauges Smeeler Gauges!

Yep you guessed it the only tools I am carrying with me on a 9 month trip are just the standard issue BMW ones!

You are right about the bike sounding differently though. It always sounds rougher when the luggage is off and even moving my foot off the peg changes the noise, time to get those ear plugs out I think.

I have just read the wisdom guide on Valve clearance checking and must admit it looks pretty doable if I can get the right tools (inc two sets of the correct feeler gauges). I'll see what the local Carefour hypermarket has on offer. Oh how nice it would be to have a nice clean garage with a kettle and a toaster and the radio on (and some decent tools).

thanks for your help though. I will check the spark plugs tonight and see what they look like.

regards
gazzr

 

[Possu]

Feeler Gauges Smeeler Gauges!

Yep you guessed it the only tools I am carrying with me on a 9 month trip are just the standard issue BMW ones!

regards
gazzr

You're a braver man than me!

You can do it with just one gauge of each size, using two is only meant to prevent the rocker arm twisting & giving a false reading, not sure it's worth the effort using two

What about getting the Throttle Bodies synchronised once the valves have been checked/adjusted?

 

[gazzr]

I think it's more a case of hoping for the best rather than being brave. Maybe I have too much (blind) faith in BMW!

Yep I was also considering syncing the TB but do I need special tools for that too or should I just get that done at the dealers?

 

[Possu]

TB synch at dealers unless you're carrying a Carbtune/Twinmax/Manometer.

 

[gazzr]

Spark plug pictures

Attached are the spark plug pictures. Judging by how hard it was to get them out they were not even checked at the last service. They looked very corroded. That means that they have been in there for at least 10,000m now.

They look quite white from what I can tell and no sign of coffee colour anywhere. Does that mean I'm running lean? If so what would be the best course (and easiest) of action to richen up the mixture? Do I need a steptoe link?

Thanks
gazzr

 

[gazzr]

second image of plugs

below is the second image

 

[gazzr]

Hi All,

Can anyone offer any advice as to why the spark plugs look like this and what the best course of action is apart from replacing them of course.

Gazzr

 

[sjwb]

Renew the plugs as a matter of course and as long as the valves and sync are OK - don't worry about the observed condition of said spark plugs.