Rattle in right cylinder

[MrPMS]

I have a 2008 R1200R with 41000 previously trouble-free miles. However, on my way back from Billings it began to develop a "rattling' noise in the right cylinder area. It seemed to loudest at part throttle, no load. Dealer checked valve clearances and found all in spec. I now wonder if a tip-over incident during my ride caused internal engine damage; Fully loaded with tank and tail bags, the bike went over on its left side during a u-turn, rotating all the way to past horizontal. Motor raced for 5-10 seconds before I could reach kill switch. Could oil starvation have caused damage on left (high side after tip over) cam chain tensioner/wrist pin/piston/rod bearing???

[deilenberger]

It could (good reason for a quality synthetic oil - with a good "extreme pressure" additive package.) The only way to find the cause of the noises is:

1. Run it until something blows up.
or
2. Disassemble and start measuring and looking for bright spots.

You might consider changing the oil and sending a sample to Blackstone. If it's a metal to metal noise, the rubbed off metal will usually end up in the oil, and an analysis may give a clue as to where it's coming from, determined by what metal is found.

[MrPMS]

Thanks Don. Oil has already been changed and discarded. As for the long run, I'd be too worried to enjoy the ride! It did run fine for over 1500 miles coming back from Billings but I think a teardown is the next step.

[deilenberger]

Sorry to hear that. Keep us informed on what's found. That's always been a worry to me - makes me wonder why BMW doesn't look at the tipover/kill-switches that other manufacturers use.

[GBag]

Pull the valve cover and check the ribs inside the cover for chips. My 09 went over on the rt side (level ground, side stand, not running????) The cover got scuffed fairly good so I bought a new cover. When I popped the old one off there was a chunk missing from one of the inner ribs. I never found the piece but I also traded the bike shortly after that.

[MrPMS]

Sadly the motor is trashed. Right side rod bearing plus who knows what else. Now considering a good used engine replacement since I have made so many other modifications to the bike and would hate to start over. Any leads out there? I've tried Beemer boneyard already...

[trickytree]

Wow, that's a bummer....no idea how available BM engine bits are but surely it's worth stripping it down to find out exactly what it needs?
Motors got to come out anyway.....even if it's not economical to repair you can recoup some cash selling of the decent bits.

[deilenberger]

If you have insurance on it, including collision - you may be able to collect under the collision part of your policy. They will want some evidence that the tip-over happened.. A good insurance agent can be helpful in this sort of thing.

[MrPMS]

I'm working on the insurance possibilities. Meanwhile I'd really like to find a good replacement engine and have already lined up a great mechanic/ friend to do the work this winter. Any leads would be appreciated. I'm scouring all the sites for possible donors.
I've also ridden the new R12R and RS and prefer my existing bike. Technically they're both better but I like the current bike's looks, setup, accessories, windshield, etc.

[roger l]

All of your farkles from your 2008 will fit on a R1200R up to 2014. One option would be to strip off all of the farkles from your existing bike and mount them to a 2014 R1200R. You will get the new cam head engine as well.

Food for Thought
Roger L

[MrPMS]

Really?? Wunderlich tall screen and fork stops, Wilber's front and back, F800ST bars, risers, Remus 2 into 1 pipe, mudguard and engine protectors, etc?

[MrPMS]

Also side and top cases. Actually if the insurance comes through I'm considering a new 2015 R 1200 R. Any thoughts on windshields, short bars etc?

[deilenberger]

Really?? Wunderlich tall screen and fork stops, Wilber's front and back, F800ST bars, risers, Remus 2 into 1 pipe, mudguard and engine protectors, etc?

Tall screen should fit, but may need a different mount. Dunno on fork-stops, Wunderlich should know. Wilbers a direct boltup. Bars unlikely - the post '11 bikes use a thicker tapered bar, and the clamp for them is different so no on the risers also. 2 into 1 pipe - probably, but the later bikes have the servo controlled baffle in the exhaust ahead of the muffler. Not sure how that might change things. Engine protectors - nope. Mudguard - rear tire one? Yup.

So some of your farkles will fit (just been through this going from '07 to '12..)

[deilenberger]

Also side and top cases. Actually if the insurance comes through I'm considering a new 2015 R 1200 R. Any thoughts on windshields, short bars etc?

Top and side no problem, but would have to be rekeyed to the newer bike (PITA job I understand.) As far as a 2015 R1200R/LC - wrong church. There is a new church if you go back up a step for the new bikes.

[MrPMS]

Thanks Don, and all the rest of this group. I'm planning on starting over with the R1200R/LC. I'll remove some of the easier stuff (bags, topcase, liners, windshield, and maybe Wilbers, and make them available to anyone who might be interested. Send me a PM and thanks again for all the help!

[GBag]

With the change to the cam head engine they changed the mounting frame for the wind screen. Your old screen will bolt right up to the new frame. My original bike was an '09. I moved up to an '11 and had to wait for the new frame. Ironically the '12 bike was out before the windshield frame for the '11 was available. (say it ain't so?) LOL

[deilenberger]

With the change to the cam head engine they changed the mounting frame for the wind screen. Your old screen will bolt right up to the new frame. My original bike was an '09. I moved up to an '11 and had to wait for the new frame. Ironically the '12 bike was out before the windshield frame for the '11 was available. (say it ain't so?) LOL

Not quite since he's going for a 2015 R1200R "LC" (liquid cooled) which is an entirely different bike altogether indeed.

[racerb]

SO what ya gonna do with the Bike? I'd be interested in the 2008. Let me know the condition and what ya want for it.

[hjsbmw]

Sadly the motor is trashed. Right side rod bearing plus who knows what else...

Wow, I would not have thought that something like this can happen so quickly, i.e. from 5-10 seconds of the bike running on its side. Best of luck with the replacement / repair / etc.!

[CycleRob]

I too am surprised about the engine damage after just a few seconds -but- It's actually more than the 5--10 seconds on its side where it likely "revved to the moon" quickly loosing its oil pressure pumping "prime". During that time the oil pump blew air thru the oil lines/passageways and oil filter, increasing the dangerous zero oil pressure run time on the bike's right-side-up engine restart.