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

Ok, I adjusted the valves and synched the TB's about 3 weeks ago and my Rockster seemed to be running great! After the first test ride I noticed a little oil on cylinder one and when I shined a light inside to checkout the spark plug I saw more oil. I wasn't sure if this spilled in there when I was putting the valve cover back on or if the seal didn't set correctly. Just to reassure myself I took the cover back off and readjusted the seal to ensure the grooves on the bottom were lining up correctly. After this I never noticed anymore oil...

But what I did notice is that the bike has seemed to get almost progressively slower when starting. Today it took me 3 long attempts (4-6 seconds each attempt) before it cranked. And this is on a 99 degree East Texas afternoon and with the fast idle pulled. It was never unusual for it to take 3 or 4 seconds for it to start when cold (before my 'service attempt') but that was always on the first try. Once the bike is warm, however, it cranks right up.

I thought it might be the spark plugs so I changed all 4 last week. The bottom Bosch plugs were totally black, the NGK were kinda blackish/gray but the plug out of the number one cylinder had oil on the threads! Even after the plugs being changed, double checking that everything is seated and connected properly, the bike is still REALLY slow to start. Does anybody know how I should begin totroubleshoot this?

NOTE: I don't have a problem with running rough or anything, just slow starting

sounds to me like the battery is on it's way out?

I have chosen another direction based on your description of OK operation and then moving onto cranking degradation associated with oil leaks out of the valve cover(s)

The valve cover has two gaskets, the big one around the circumference and a smaller one inside the cover that seals around the spark plug. The small gasket tends to take a set as it seats against irregular surfaces but also has the tendency to come out of its seat and even on occasion stick to the plug.

Oil leakage does take place when these gaskets, when the oil leaks around the plug, the firing of the spark plug might be compromised making the engine hard to start.

Suggest checking the integrity and positioning of the valve cover gaskets.

Jonathan-

As mentioned in PM, my Rockster has sometimes exhibited slow starting stubbornness. My guesses for cold start cause & effect have been (1) state of battery charge like Riceburner suggests; and (2) fueling: either crappy west coast ethanol fuel, or maybe time required to build injector supply line pressure.

My "cold" start yesterday morning was 60 degF with battery fully charged by tender, and the bike started immediately. As mentioned, I've had many similar 2-3x, 3-5 second hard starts before like you on other occasions.

In contrast, our '02 single-spark R1150R Roadster would start at 1st button push each & every time.

Haven't had my Rockster's spark plugs out in a long while, so cannot comment about plug condition and any association with hard starting.

My bike ran fantastic yesterday. Bittersweet, as I was rode it to get crash damage repair estimate following collision in July, when another rider hit me from behind. Had to wait 4 weeks for dealership service appointment during busiest time of year. Forfeited a cherished month of summer riding. Cannot wait to get the Rock back together!

The battery is kept on a tender when the bike sits in the garage. And I probably should have been more clear, but the seal that was apparently leaking was the small one around the spark plug. I removed the valve cover to reposition the grooves on the bottom because I guess I didn't line them up good enough after the valve adjustment. After this I saw no more oil. And it wasn't until A week or so after this that I replaced all 4 snark plugs, which I though would fix the slow starting but it didn't help in the slightnest.

And sweatmark, I understand what your saying but I find it odd that the bike started first try everytime (only took about a 2-3 second push of the button). Whereas now, after I changed the old nasty plugs and whatnot, it is taking me 3 loooong attempts under the same conditions.