Sounds like marbles rattling around in the engine

dickhein · Post by **dickhein** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 9:28 am

Any thoughts? My 2004 1150R fresh from it's 6k service makes some horrible sounds. When I accelerate up to anything over 3000 rpm and back off the throttle, the engine sounds like marbles rattling around. It only happens when the throttle is decreased and never under 3000. Oddly, the sound is not noticable when I wear my helmet, which is most of the time. During the 6k service, which I had done 1500 miles from home, the mechanic that road tested the bike wore his helmet. He may never have noticed. Meanwhile...
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Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 10:04 am

I believe the sound is from your Piston.

bakernks · Post by **bakernks** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 3:28 pm

First guess is detonation. I'd definitely ride this bike less if at all until it's sorted. I'd check the simple stuff first. Since it was recently serviced, possibly some of the things they touched weren't secured properly. Make positive sure that the spark plug caps are actually snapped all the way on. Pull them and seat them back on yourself if this is something you're comfortable doing. Look to see if the TPS box, the 2" square black box on the LEFT throttle body is still secured, and the two screws holding it "on setting" still are cemented with the blue tattle tale paint dabs. Slipped TPS or loose spark caps could be a cause of these symptoms.
Detonation can seriously damage an engine. Sure, it might not be detonation, diagnosis over the internet is iffy. Get this sorted asap.

Post by **rdsmith3** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 9:47 am

Could be pinging from bad gas or too low octane gas, but I am no expert. Get back there ASAP.

Post by **zweige** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 2:47 pm

I had a similar problem and it turned out to be a bad fuel pump.

Lance1150 · Post by **Lance1150** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 3:16 pm

I had the SAME thing recently, it turned out to be several marbles. Nobody could explain that to me, they just said "Sometimes we find pens and pencils in there, mostly office supplies". They were VERY surprised at the marbles. Get it looked at quick.

NCRoaster · Post by **NCRoaster** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 7:24 pm

I knew a guy who once had an 1150GS that made that sound when he accelerated. His problem was the mechanic replaced the timing chain tensioners with the part originally specified instead of the one with an updated part number. The oil pressure is controlled by vent holes in the tensioner and it turned out he had to have his engine rebuilt. I'm not saying this is your problem. I'm just repeating an experience I observed.

NCRoaster

JohnR · Post by **JohnR** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 8:36 pm

To Lance1150,

I think you got confused in your post, above. "dickhein" was concerned about the his engine sounding like marbles were rattling around inside. It appears you were writing about the sound of marbles rattling around in your head. Marbles rattling around in an 1150 engine are BAD. Marbles rattling around in your hear are GOOD. When the marbles stop rattling around in your head, you've lost your marbles.

To dickhein,

I'm a new guy on the 1150. The BMW dealership that I want to use is a relative close four hour ride when compared to the 1,500 miles to the dealer you used. At least you are under warranty. Get it to a good BMW dealer. Good luck.

-John-

Post by **MikeCam** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 5:39 am

I think it sounds like you are reporting a cam chain noise. Cannot be certain from your brief description.

Might also be a loose header nut.

No puns intended above.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 7:10 am

Dickheim:

You are saying the sound occurs when you de-accelerate and remove the load on the motor? That probably eliminates predetonation. I suspect either the cam chain tensioner or your sensitivity towards noisey boxer motors. Have your mechanic listen to it and fix it, or buy a good set of earplugs and maybe even a Valkrie.

dickhein · Post by **dickhein** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 1:57 pm

Rattling marbles is probably a poor description--I'll never make it as a service writer. The loud tinny rattling sound occurs upon DEceleration and is instantaneous with release of throttle pressure. It only occurs when the RPMs are over 3000. It's definitely not ping.

Post by **boxermania** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 4:10 pm

Well there is one thing we know for sure.......we haven't determined wht it sounds like or the source of the noise on dickhein's bike.

Let's find out where dickhein makes home and maybe one of the gearheads close to him that frequent this site can be of assistance.

dickhein · Post by **dickhein** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 1:58 pm

It's frustrating to not be able to adequately describe these engine sounds. However, I gather that no one else experiences noticable rattling sounds in the engine when the throttle is released as one does when shifting gears or just decelerating.

Post by **Deans BMW** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 3:21 pm

Perhaps it is marbles.......................

I would suggest thast you go to a BMW dealer and let them listen.

Post by **CycleRob** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 4:28 pm

dickhein,
The conditions you describe necessary to make the sound, to me, points to a transmission problem. Above 3,000 rpm, the engine braking is stronger and the axial side load generated by the intermediate shaft's spur gears, together with a problem like a bad bearing can cause parts to touch, that never should.

Does it do it with closed throttle above 3,000 in every gear?
Does it do it reving the engine to 6,000 up/down quickly with the trans in neutral?

The answers to those 2 questions will tell you if it's the engine or trans.

dickhein · Post by **dickhein** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 10:20 am

Took the bike to the dealer. He agrees there is something there, perhaps the alternator belt. He said it can wait til the 12k service. We'll see...

NCRoaster · Post by **NCRoaster** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 12:31 am

dickheim,

Just make sure that 12,000 mile service happens while your bike is still under warranty. Not that I'm being cynical or anything. It just sounds like you're getting bad advice. If your bike has an inappropriate noise in the engine it is likely that some kind of damage is happening. The R is a smooth, quiet, silky runner. If you're not getting that something needs to be fixed. Your dealer should address the problem now before it causes major damage. But that's just my opinion.

NCRoaster

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 3:25 pm

Ditto NCRoaster, i.e. Don't let the cancer grow.
The dealer didn't give you the bike and let you pay for it untill after you have done 10K miles ! Right ?
Besides, the bike is still being broken in, anything happening inside the engine may affect that process, which means that problems may be developing that may not show till after, say, 20k mi. You may then see damage that developed very slowly.
Better be paranoid than sorry

towerworker · Post by **towerworker** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 3:51 pm

Sounds to me like the wibblin pin came out of the wobblin gear. Or is it the other way around?

Wayne
03 r

NCRoaster · Post by **NCRoaster** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 6:59 pm

Just an afterthought dingle. If your dealer refuses to correct the problem, I suggest that you get some kind of documentation that proves you had brought this noise to the dealers attention. Later, if you have to negotiate with a regional rep or with New Jersey, you will have something to show that you asked to have the problem fixed before your warranty ran out.

NCRoaster

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Sounds like marbles rattling around in the engine

Sounds like marbles rattling around in the engine

sounds

marbles

marbles

Wait

re: marbles

More on the marbles

Warranty

Marbles?

an afterthought