Whining sound from 2005 R1200GS. Anyone had the same issue?

Hemuli

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Hi all,

Going on with my RTW, currently in Mexico.
Few days ago I started hearing this "whining" sound from the front of my 2005 R1200GS (currently has a bit over 300 000km).
I checked the alternator, but it turns freely and no free play on its shaft.
Belt was changed around 20 000km ago and looks really good.
Oil level is close to max.

There is no rattling sound (tensioners were changed to a new version already long time ago).

I made a short video of this problem: https://vimeo.com/113128578

I was just wondering if anyone has had similar problem and what was the solution?

-Hemuli

Blog: www.whereishemuli.eu
Facebook: WhereIsHemuli
 
Could you have some sort of air intake issue? Engine drawing air from somewhere it should not?
 
The easiest way to pinpoint it is to use a mechanics stethoscope, If it is not a mechanical noise I.e. Induction etc. Remove the probe and just use the tube.
 
Sounds like how I remember my 2005 bike.
Could be an alternator sound, even if no play or roughness when you turn it slowly.
I guess you know there is a black cover goes on the front?
 
Should not be the case. K&N filter has been sealed properly, but I give a look when I stop for few days.
 
Mistacat said:
The easiest way to pinpoint it is to use a mechanics stethoscope, If it is not a mechanical noise I.e. Induction etc. Remove the probe and just use the tube.
Click to expand...

Yes, that would be good, might just be hard to find over here in Mexico (not speaking or understanding spanish makes it even harder :D ).
 
Bin Ridin said:
Sounds like how I remember my 2005 bike.
Could be an alternator sound, even if no play or roughness when you turn it slowly.
I guess you know there is a black cover goes on the front?
Click to expand...


I will do still few checks (run engine without belt). Alternator area just sounds quiet, but would not hurt to double check.
Yes, there is a black cover, just wanted to take it away for the video.
 
I had a very similar sound from my 05 1200GS. It was like it for about 1500 miles. Then the bike would not turn over, just like a knackered battery. Eventually I discovered that the Alternator had quite literally burst. From the front all looks well. Take the tank of and you will see the real damage, that can't be fixed. You will need to replace it.

The wiring sound is in fact the outer casing of the alternator rubbing on the winding coil magnets inside. I'm almost certain that you have a Denso Alternator. Some of the later GS models have Bosch alternators fitted, but not till the 06> upgrades.

There are three options. 1: Buy a new one at £500 2: buy a used one at £200+ and risk having the same issue all over again in a years time. 3: Convert to a Bosch alternator. This is what I did.

The Alternator from the 05/06 (probably later too) R1200ST. Go on ebay. I got one for £70, cos nobody wants ST parts... Anything with GS on it or from Motorworks/Motobins will be £200 and more, for effectively the same thing. Might be interesting getting one out to you in Mexico though. These have the same size front pulley as the 05 1200 GS. (I'm assuming you have a standard 50 1200GS and not an ADV. Though I'm sure the ADV didn't come out it 06?. If I'm wrong you will need to find a Bosch with the smaller pulley fitted as special tools are needed to swap, them plus the fitting is different.

There is one minor hitch though. The wiring is different. You will need a new igniter plug. You can get on either from the ST wiring harness or new from a BMW dealer. Here's a link to the ADV thread I got the info from http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6098868 The Plus part number is written in red. The BMW dealer will find the part under the 'tools' section, strangely enough.
The Denso has two wires, the Bosch has only one. The Blue is the one you need. Cut and insulate the other one (iirc it's green) you won't need it. I butchered the old alternators socket for a pin to fit the new wire to the original plug as I wanted to have the option or refitting an OE alternator. There's no reason why you couldn't just splice the new wire into the OE loom.

Works fine and unlikely to have the same problem again.



HTH Val.




Hemuli said:
Hi all,

Going on with my RTW, currently in Mexico.
Few days ago I started hearing this "whining" sound from the front of my 2005 R1200GS (currently has a bit over 300 000km).
I checked the alternator, but it turns freely and no free play on its shaft.
Belt was changed around 20 000km ago and looks really good.
Oil level is close to max.

There is no rattling sound (tensioners were changed to a new version already long time ago).

I made a short video of this problem: https://vimeo.com/113128578

I was just wondering if anyone has had similar problem and what was the solution?

-Hemuli

Blog: www.whereishemuli.eu
Facebook: WhereIsHemuli
Click to expand...
 
I changed two plain pulleys on my van no play on them by hand,but under load "sounded like a knakerd turbo spinning up" according to a local mechanic,Iv heard lots of citroens & Peugeots etc that use the HDI engine whining away :rolleyes:

So if your alternator has worn bushing or bearing replace it before you end up stranded somewhere.
If the GS will run without alternator you could take belt off,to see if it makes same noise easy to diagnose then.
 
I ran the engine without belt and everything was fine. So alternator was busted.
I took it out and I was shocked to see that the whole casing of alternator was cracked! Must have been cracked since my accident in Indonesia (roughly 60,000km ago!!!).
Bearings are completely bust.
Tomorrow I will take alternator to a local mechanic who has been rebuilding them in this village and see if they can fix it.
If not, then we will try local supplier and last option is to buy refurbished from US and ask them to ship it here via UPS or Fedex.

Few photos in my fn-page https://www.facebook.com/WhereIsHemuli
 
Hemuli said:
Hi all,

Going on with my RTW, currently in Mexico.
Few days ago I started hearing this "whining" sound from the front of my 2005 R1200GS (currently has a bit over 300 000km).
Click to expand...

Let it whine and be proud! :thumb
 
WTF kind of accident damages the alternator its hidden away,unless you took out the frontend ?
 
Bin Ridin said:
Glad you have it sussed, hope you get it fixed! Motorworks, Motobins or James Sherlock supply good used parts, I suppose Beemer Boneyard is similar?
Click to expand...

Only difficulty is to get parts to middle of nowhere in Mexico, but I will find a way.
 
bikemad said:
WTF kind of accident damages the alternator its hidden away,unless you took out the frontend ?
Click to expand...


Truck took the whole front end away in Indonesia and cracked also engine casing. For some reason I did not see this alternator damage when I fixed the bike there.
 
Bendy toy said:
The sort that totals the bike won't have damaged the alternator.
Click to expand...


Bike was totalled after accident wit truck, but I did not want to stop my RTW, so I fixed my bike (after my hands and arm was fixed) :)
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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