Engine Trouble

[cdude619]

How often does an R1150R need oil? What are the "rings" in the engine? I think I may have broken one of these. Does this mean the pistons seized up? There was no oil left in the little sideview ring. Oil was running down the left side of the engine too. I haven't drained the oil to see if there are metal shavings yet because I had to leave my bike 300 miles away. Does this mean I need a new engine? My bike lost power on a road trip. I shut it down and it never restarted. It made a clunking/grinding sound when trying to restart it. I'm a new rider (5months), and first time motorcycle owner. I'm unsure of the problem but I know will be charged a lot of money just to diagnose it. I'm so bummed out right now.... I'm a little disappointed in the BMW service center in Bakersfield. As a newbie, I didn't get any help in a time when I needed it most. No one looked at my bike and relied on a complete stranger to help me load my bike into the back of his truck without a ramp and leave. I am greatful for the kindness of the motorcycle community. I need some help.

[CycleRob]

OUCH!!
That can be several things, all of them expensive to repair.
Take it to and consult with a BMW dealer.

[towerworker]

I can really feel for you.

But we need more information: what year is the bike? How many miles? How long since last oil change and last time you checked the oil? What kind and brand of oil were you running?

You say oil was running down left side of engine.......do you know exactly where it was coming out? The fill plug?

Wayne

[Boxer]

cdude,
Check online and in the local yellow pages for any clubs or organizations of BMW Owners in your area. You say you didn't like the BMW dealership in Bakersfield. Try and locate an independent BMW mechanic.
Why do you think you "broke" a ring? Did someone suggest that possibility? If the bike runs too low on oil and gets too hot, the rings WILL seize up and that is a very expensive repair job. I personally have not seen that happen to a BMW, but it happened to me on a 1966 Suzuki engine once. Get it checked out by a dealership or an independent mechanic.

[AndyRR]

My guess is the oil sight glass.

[The Velvet Monkey]

It sounds bad, but I'd withhold freaking out or letting your imagination go through a "parade of horribles" until you have a qualified mechanic inspect it. From my experience, these engines are pretty tough and people are pretty lucky.

Like others have said, it's a good idea, if you're unhappy with the dealership, find a independent mechanic. I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that there is such a person in the not too distant area.

[boxermania]

Can you turn the engine by hand, by placing it in 5th gear and turning the rear wheel? Is there any noise? Have you checked how much oil is in the engine?

The boxer engine is fairly strong but it's very sensitive to low oil level. Haven't seen much of what you are experiencing.......

[lionlady]

How often does an R1150R need oil? What are the "rings" in the engine? I think I may have broken one of these. Does this mean the pistons seized up? There was no oil left in the little sideview ring. Oil was running down the left side of the engine too. I haven't drained the oil to see if there are metal shavings yet because I had to leave my bike 300 miles away. Does this mean I need a new engine? My bike lost power on a road trip. I shut it down and it never restarted. It made a clunking/grinding sound when trying to restart it. I'm a new rider (5months), and first time motorcycle owner. I'm unsure of the problem but I know will be charged a lot of money just to diagnose it. I'm so bummed out right now.... I'm a little disappointed in the BMW service center in Bakersfield. As a newbie, I didn't get any help in a time when I needed it most. No one looked at my bike and relied on a complete stranger to help me load my bike into the back of his truck without a ramp and leave. I am greatful for the kindness of the motorcycle community. I need some help.

Hmmm. Did your "sideview ring" look like THIS?


If so, then you lost the sight glass.

A probable cause of the noise (broken bearing):


Check out this thread for what probably happened: http://www.bmwbmw.org/forums/viewtopic. ... +BANG+BANG
and how it was fixed.

P

[Airman]

Now that was a scary thread. What a job ! I hope this one is not that severe.

[lionlady]

We need to know how the bike's engine sounded before it "lost power" from cdude619. If it made those progressively louder tic TIC to BANGBANGBANG sounds, he's probably in the same boat as my hubby was.

P

[cdude619]

Thank you to everyone! I was able to locate a used engine from BeemerBoneyard! Now to work on my bike and really understand what makes this machine move. Of all the people who ride, not one of you suggested to part it out, which makes me stand behind my decision to keep the bike and make it my own. Thank you for helping me in my time of need!!!

[cdude619]

Yes, my bike does make the tic tic tic tic sound... I was told that it was the timing belt or something to that fact. (sorry I've only been riding for 5 months) I'm still new at all the terminology. The mechanics at the shop were very very vague in telling me what was wrong, only listing the parts that were needed. A small block, headers, timing belt, piston work... and the list went on. I basically asked what was the barebones minimum to make the bike run and I will come back to get it all fixed for maintenance and they wouldn't tell me. Anyways, I'm just going to swap engines and then get it maintenanced back to what it should be. Does the tic tic sound mean the timing belt?

[Sunbeemer]

There are issues with the left cylinder's cam chain tensioner that takes a few seconds to pump up with enough oil pressure to tighten the chain and stop the rattling on startup. While it is not harmful to the engine, it is unnerving. I changed mine for an upgraded version and have had no noises since. However, I suspect your noises are more serious, which your replacement engine will surely fix!

Good luck and let us know how it goes (send pictures!)