Struggling on idle

[Moosehead]

I have a 2009 RT and have noticed for a little while this-


Start the bike, no problem. Will sit at idle for around 30 seconds before it starts to struggle to maintain idle and becomes very "shaky" if that's the right word!!! I can remedy by giving it a little rev but as you rotate the throttle, the revs seem to dip further before picking up. If you don't rev enough it'll cut out.


I've tried the throttle reset by rotating it whilst the ignition is on etc but no joy.


Any ideas would be appreciated!!!


Dan

[David.]

Have the valve clearances & throttle synchronisation been checked recently.

When were the air filter & spark plugs last changed.

[Moosehead]

Had a big fluid and filter service last year including valve clearances.


Throttle synchro is what I'm hoping is the issue as it's a relatively easy fix??

[David.]

Throttle Synchronization, https://1200rt.com/viewtopic.php?t=9

[guest2360]

Could be anything but as it changes without any imput from you I doubt it's the throttle.  If there is loss of power when pulling it might be a coil.  The lower ones can go.  Might even be something up with the cat. 
If it's been doing it for sometime as you say it's probably only going to get worse.  Did it have a full service by a dealer or just a fluid change and valve check.  If it's not been at a dealership for some time there might be faults recorded which will show the problem.

[Moosehead]

It was fully serviced by Motoscot (if anyone knows it) just south of Luton.


I tested it side by side with one of the work ones and although they dropped they didn't have the same issue about regaining the revs.


I'll give the garage a call tomorrow!

[guest2360]

Many independents will tell you they are BMW or whoever trained.  In the case of BMW if they left more than 10 years ago they no longer are. They are also most unlikely to have the many specialists tools BMW produce for each model as they cannot be purchased outside the dealer network and are only auto issued at great expense to  dealers.

[Our Gee]

Unfortunately I had what does sound like the same problem with our 2008 RT. That bike would simply not idle after about 30 seconds. I had this problem for all the time I owned this bike. BMW tried everything including replacement Coils, Plugs, Idle Control Device, and even a new replacement ECU. All engine settings such as valve clearances and throttle body balance where spot on. Nothing cured the problem. I even paid for another BMW Dealer (bike still under warranty) to check out the bike and was charged over £70 pounds for them to "correct the out of spec synchronisation" which had no effect at all. I desperation and having gleaned every bit of info I could from the Net I replaced both Lambda Sensors myself. No difference. I sincerely hope that you do not have the same problem Moosehead. In the end I got rid of that otherwise great bike. My present Twincam ticks over like a Swiss watch.

[Moosehead]

Unfortunately I had what does sound like the same problem with our 2008 RT. That bike would simply not idle after about 30 seconds. I had this problem for all the time I owned this bike. BMW tried everything including replacement Coils, Plugs, Idle Control Device, and even a new replacement ECU. All engine settings such as valve clearances and throttle body balance where spot on. Nothing cured the problem. I even paid for another BMW Dealer (bike still under warranty) to check out the bike and was charged over £70 pounds for them to "correct the out of spec synchronisation" which had no effect at all. I desperation and having gleaned every bit of info I could from the Net I replaced both Lambda Sensors myself. No difference. I sincerely hope that you do not have the same problem Moosehead. In the end I got rid of that otherwise great bike. My present Twincam ticks over like a Swiss watch.

Oh good lord I hope not!!! I think I'd rather live with it!!


When warm, it doesn't seem an issue....

[David.]

When warm, it doesn't seem an issue.

I wonder if it could be a temperature sensor problem.

[Our Gee]

Just to add a little more info to my above post my own 2008 RT suffered from this problem all of the time (so hopefully your own problem may be different Moosehead.) Thirty seconds after starting from cold, a similar period after stopping in traffic or after stopping at the French Channel Tunnel check in booth after a three hour motorway blast. I can still hear the French guy in the booth," Ahh monsieur, what is wrong with your moto" as I fumbled for paperwork whilst the engine tried to shake it's self to bits. I also now recall that the BMW UK technical rep test rode the bike at Cooper BMW and pronounced it one of the best RT,s he had rode. Although he did only blast it up and down the A19. Nuff said !!.

[Moosehead]

Quick update, I called BMW who seemed to think it could be the coils. And then I keeled over at the price they wanted to diagnose and replace.


So a YouTube search later and I pulled the wires out on each side to test.


Something has happened as it's now (touch wood) running ok!


Beautiful German engineering!!!

[Moosehead]

Update- lived with the issue until it cut out on the way home from work.


No warning, no lights. Wouldn't start for about 10 mins and then fired up and got it home.


Fuel Control Pump sensor anyone?!


Quick google, YouTube video and an eBay purchase later.....


The old one was full of water and she seems to be running like a dream again!!!

[florianbo]

Hi Moosehead,

I think I might have the same issue on mi '07 RT.
Could you post the link to the youtube video you use to check the coils?
What part exactly did you replace on the fuel pump?

Thanks

[gary7569]

Hi All
I have a 2008 r1200rt and i have had 3 new fuel gauge strips in the last 4 yrs and the 4th has just gone again(its being replaced on the 29-04-2017 under warranty again ).4 days after gauge went again my bike has started to play up by running rough at idle (erratic idling up to 2k and down to 750 rev) then cutting out as you slow down or stop .she will start up straight away  then rides fine if you keep her  over 2k rev.
Anyone had this before and could the fuel gauge cause this fault as it has not before.
Could the problem be the fuel pressure controller?
any help would be appreciated


gary