BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

I have r1150r 2003. When it get hot (ie sitting intraffic) or at a traffic light it has been stalling. The RPMs will drop and then it will struggle then stall. If I keep the rmps above 1500 it usually does not happen. However according to the manual it should idle at 1100rpm. It never use to do this before. It started about 2-3K ago. I have 23,000 good miles on the bike. I changed the fuel filter 1000 miles ago, no improvement. I reset the computer by pulling out the fuse and all that stuff and no improvement. I am just stumped on what it could be. I am a six pack away from trading it in. Ahh. I have taken the bike to a dealer and they said there is no problem. Go figure. ANY SUGGESTION??????

Is yours a single spark model? Anyway, from previous posters who had similar problems and you might want to search the archives of this forum for some tips) I think I remember in a few previous instances it was a bad plug coil on the secondary spark plug....but if your's is a single spark model, that's not it. I'd be pulling the plugs to see what they look like and checking the throttle body sync, especially the idle circuit (Big Brass Screws), but only after a valve lash adjustment.

Have you ever used a fuel injector cleaner, like Sea Foam? Very good stuff IMO.

Good luck. Ket us know how it goes.

BTW, I wouldn't give up on the bike....it's worth the effort IMO.

See if your gas tank has a vacuum sound when you open the cap when its hot like you say. Maybe the cannister is plugged up. Hope you find the problem.

geo

there was a dealer recall for 2003 R1150R's due to sudden cutting out. I got caught out a few times pulling away from junctions and the engine cutting out. I at first put it down to me getting used to a new bike. I then received a letter requesting I take it back to the dealers as a problem had been identified with sudden loss of power and cutting out. When I took my bike in for a service 3 months later they carried out 3 modifications
AllanJ

there was a dealer recall for 2003 R1150R's due to sudden cutting out

When I first saw this my reation was "Hey, I didn't get a recall notice for this for my '03." Then I saw that allanj was from across the pond, where the model years coincide with the calendar year. In the US, our 2003 models are the 2002 model for the rest of the world, which explains that lack of a recall notice.

Charlie

allanj255 wrote:there was a dealer recall for 2003 R1150R's due to sudden cutting out. I got caught out a few times pulling away from junctions and the engine cutting out. I at first put it down to me getting used to a new bike. I then received a letter requesting I take it back to the dealers as a problem had been identified with sudden loss of power and cutting out. When I took my bike in for a service 3 months later they carried out 3 modifications
AllanJ

Hi allan, I have similar problems with my 2003 r1150r. When did you receive that letter ?

I think it was late 2003, I will check and see if I still have the letter. I got my bike new in May 2003
AllanJ

I believe that my bike is a single spark. I will pull the plugs tonight and look at them. I am also going to try the fuel injecter cleaner.

Remember to blow the dirt out of the spark plug well before you unscrew them. Use compressed air if you have it, or a short piece of hose and blow sharply into the spark plug well after removing the spark plug wire with the plastic plug wire remover tool...

Allan - I would love to know what three mods they did. Have the same problem. Replacing plugs and fuel filter didn't help my '02. Using Premium fuel helps, but I suspect this is a band-aid as this machine doesn't require premium. Also tried the Sea-Foam and advancing the timing.

I have a twin spark model and I know at least 1 mod was with the electronics for the injection system. I will try and get in touch with the dealer mechanic to see what was done
AllanJ

Found the recall

Models: BMW R Model Motorcycle Year: 2003
Number Potentially Involved: 7,000
Dates of Manufacture: December 2002 – August 2003

Defect: On certain motorcycles (Opposed Twins w/Two-Spark Ignition), the electrical wiring for the oxygen sensor and the ignition lead for the right-hand secondary spark plug have a parallel routing over part of their installation path. The close proximity of these cables may allow the signal from the ignition lead to interfere with the signal from the oxygen sensor wiring. As a result, engine hesitation or misfiring could occur, which could result in a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will re-route the electrical wiring to the oxygen sensor. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during December 2003. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117, Option #4.

One of he other recalls was to check fuel line connections

I removed the plugs last night. They looked good. Cleaned them any way and check the gap. Then I took it out for a Italian Tune up. Seems ok. However the temperature in PA is getting cooler each day. I will let you known in a few days. If it acts up, I got some sea foam for my next fill up.

estimml - do you have 1 plug per cylinder or 2? Sounds like the recall for the twin spark models that allanj255 posted might be worth getting done if it applies to your bike, and it should be FREE!

I have one spark plug per cylinder.

Try about 1/4 of the can of SeaFoam in a tankful...that stuff is strong!

Well I tried the 1/4 of seafoam and ran the tank out. No improvment. Fill it up again with another 1/4 can of seafoam. No improvement. So, I scheduled service for the first week in december. Hopefully they can figure this thing out. This is quite frustrating.

I had something similar happen, but it was also accompanied by surging like behavior in second gear at 2500 to 3000 RPMs.

The problem a blown ignition coil on the right side. The bike was smooth as ever after that was replaced -- no stalling or surge symptoms.

SJ BMW did a nice job with tracing down the problem.

Sounds like the same symptoms I had with my bike. It turned out to be a faulty coil. Like you, I checked everything and finally broke down and took it to the shop. Cost me two labor hours, but the mechanic localized the problem.

Check your coils and good luck.

allanj255 wrote:Found the recall

Models: BMW R Model Motorcycle Year: 2003
Number Potentially Involved: 7,000
Dates of Manufacture: December 2002 – August 2003

Defect: On certain motorcycles (Opposed Twins w/Two-Spark Ignition), the electrical wiring for the oxygen sensor and the ignition lead for the right-hand secondary spark plug have a parallel routing over part of their installation path. The close proximity of these cables may allow the signal from the ignition lead to interfere with the signal from the oxygen sensor wiring. As a result, engine hesitation or misfiring could occur, which could result in a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will re-route the electrical wiring to the oxygen sensor. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification is expected to begin during December 2003. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117, Option #4.

One of he other recalls was to check fuel line connections

Mine falls in this category but I never heard of this mod. It's stalled a few times when stationary but not since I did the service, plugs, filters, oil etc. Might give them a call to see if it's been done on my bike or not.