Need help!!!

[MrK]

Ok, just got back from a trip to the NC MTs, for a small BMW rally.(which was great by the way).

When I left the bike was running very good. But a couple of hours into the ride, I noticed the idle was getting rather rough and lower than the usual 1100 rpm, it was running about 800-900 and very lumpy.
The last time this happened I took it down to see Bill at BMW Atlanta.
This after putting on their machine noticed that the TB was way off. I took it home and performed the 12k mile service, mileage around (11500) The bike was running ok after that, but now it is back to running rough again.
So once I arrived at my location, I asked everybody if they had a TB meter with them, and sure enough someone did. It wasn’t a twin max but it was some other make which I happen to think is better, anyway the TB was almost perfect. (ran the bike up to 3500rpm)
So the next day, on my way home the bike seem to run the same, although at times it clears up and will run perfect for awhile then return to running bad. What I mean by bad is hard to start, bad idle (see above), a lot of vibration at higher RPMs, surging at steady throttle and a lot of backfiring when rolling hard off of throttle.
The bike is a 04 R1100S boxer cup with Laser pipes (without a cat) and 13k miles. I don’t think the bike is chipped, although I will have to confirm.
I did some searching on idling issues and could not find the same issues that I am having. Some have had similar issues but not intermittent, So where to start? I checked the throttle cables and they appear to be ok. The only thing I did not do at 12k was the fuel filter, should I replace that first?

[signit98]

...I would have pointed to the throttle cables first... the junction box may be the culprit here, check it!

12K miles is not to much for a fuel filter, but you might give that a try... if those two are not the issues, you run into a wall of a gazillion possibilities... try the TB sync again.

The beauty of intermittent problem is that they are so easy to fix.... NOT!

Good luck

[MrK]

the junction box may be the culprit here,

Not familar with the location of that. My guess is under the tank?

[DeltaNu1142]

Sounded like a fuel problem--duh, fuel QUALITY problem--to me. Water in the gas? Sounds like you put several tanks through from different vendors, though, which might squelch that theory...

[MrK]

Sounded like a fuel problem--duh, fuel QUALITY problem--to me. Water in the gas? Sounds like you put several tanks through from different vendors, though, which might squelch that theory...

Yeah I must have ran about 6 tanks of gas through the bike over the weekend.

[jduke]

When was the last time you checked the valves?

[MrK]

Originally Posted by jduke

When was the last time you checked the valves?

I did them when I performed the service around 11k,do you think if they were off it would cuase these issues?

[jduke]

Hard to start and hard to idle reminded me of recessed valves on old airheads. I would wait for the engine to have set overnight and then double check the valves just to eliminate that possibility.

[foobeemer]

Check your cables and layout--make sure the ends are seated in the TB receptors properly. Lifting/removing/resetting the gas tank can sometimes cause the cables to move out of their seat. Check TB operation for sychronicity and smoothness during throttle roll. Check to see that both TB's bottom out at idle and are at the correct "zero" point. If all looks ok, check your compression next before going any further. Your symptoms are similar to mine--my problem was a broken valve stem. Bike still ran but really poorly due to an almost total compression loss on 1 side. I spent all my diagnostic time chasing electrical and fuel related settings before finding out I should have tested for the CONFOUNDED compression first! Good luck.....

[EZ-RIDER]

Replace your spark plugs, had some bad gas once and couldn't find anything changed the plugs fixed the problem

[Guest24]

I'm going to go with engine electrics. First make sure the battery is up to snuff. Next I'd check the resistance of the coil--when they begin to break down the backfiring etc. occur. Then the plug leads and sparkplugs. How did the plugs look after the trip? You can remove the tank and completely drain it is you suspect contaminated fuel but I doubt it if you ran all weekend. BTW where was the rally?

This note in the service manual could apply if your battery connection was lost due to poor contacts.
Disconnecting the battery deletes all entries (e.g.
faults, settings) stored in the Motronic control unit’s
memory.
Loss of settings can temporarily impair the operating
characteristics when the engine is restarted
Switch on the ignition.
• Without starting the engine, fully open the throttle
once or twice so that the Motronic control unit
can register the throttle-valve positions.

make sure all leads to the coil are clean and make good contact.

[MrK]

Originally Posted by foobeemer

Check your cables and layout--make sure the ends are seated in the TB receptors properly. Lifting/removing/resetting the gas tank can sometimes cause the cables to move out of their seat. Check TB operation for sychronicity and smoothness during throttle roll. Check to see that both TB's bottom out at idle and are at the correct "zero" point. If all looks ok, check your compression next before going any further. Your symptoms are similar to mine--my problem was a broken valve stem. Bike still ran but really poorly due to an almost total compression loss on 1 side. I spent all my diagnostic time chasing electrical and fuel related settings before finding out I should have tested for the CONFOUNDED compression first! Good luck.....

I don't see how it could run absolutely fine and then not and then run fine again if it was compression. I already checked the cables at the TBs I will have to pull the tank (I'm guessing to check the junction box).

[MrK]

Originally Posted by Nail24

I'm going to go with engine electrics. First make sure the battery is up to snuff. Next I'd check the resistance of the coil--when they begin to break down the backfiring etc. occur. Then the plug leads and sparkplugs. How did the plugs look after the trip? You can remove the tank and completely drain it is you suspect contaminated fuel but I doubt it if you ran all weekend. BTW where was the rally?

This note in the service manual could apply if your battery connection was lost due to poor contacts.
Disconnecting the battery deletes all entries (e.g.
faults, settings) stored in the Motronic control unit’s
memory.
Loss of settings can temporarily impair the operating
characteristics when the engine is restarted
Switch on the ignition.
• Without starting the engine, fully open the throttle
once or twice so that the Motronic control unit
can register the throttle-valve positions.

make sure all leads to the coil are clean and make good contact.

Battery is two months old, but Iwill check the plugs when I check the valve clearances.
I will reset the monitronic control unit-,that sounds like a good idea.
The rally was in Dilsboro, from The BMW Sport Touring website.

[MrK]

Here is the plugs, the bottom right side was wet with some fuel on it. Running rich?

[Guest24]

I'm not liking that right side at all. As for the Plugs clean 'em gap 'em and swap 'em run it pull 'em and see what you got.

[boxercup]

Dude you need to call me or Lenny at the the number below.

We can help

-- Bart!

[AZ-Twin]

I am ignorant of what plugs should be in the bike, but should all 4 plugs be the same heat range?

[MrK]

Originally Posted by Nail24

I'm not liking that right side at all. As for the Plugs clean 'em gap 'em and swap 'em you know the drill bottom rt to lt top, bottom lt to rt top etc. run it pull 'em and see what you got.

You can't do this with this bike. The bottom plugs are not the same size as the top ones, the only thing you can do is swap sides. I think I am going to trash the bottom ones and get new ones.

[R111S]

A 2004 with only 12K Miles doesn't get ridden enough...meaning the injectors may be gummed up from sitting parked too much. I'd try a samll bottle of Chevron "Techron" Fuel System Cleaner and 200 more miles before spending any more money.

[JimMoore]

My first thought is fuel filter.