Loss of power and running poor

[chrismckay]

Just had my 2012 R1200RT out for a blast and had to limp home on reduced power.


The symptoms are loss of power, engine lumpy, engine stalls at decreased revs, engine occasionally backfires.


Does anybody with a greater mechanical knowledge than me have some advice?


Chris... ;D

[Boxflyer]

Deleted

[simbo]

Coil breaking down possibly?

[David.]

Are any warning lights showing on the dash.

Are there any unusual mechanical sounding noises coming from the engine.

[chrismckay]

Are any warning lights showing on the dash.

Are there any unusual mechanical sounding noises coming from the engine.

Hello David,


There are no warning lamps illuminated and no unusual noises apart from running lumpy!

[chrismckay]

Coil breaking down possibly?

is there a diy check for this?

[simbo]

is there a diy check for this?

Remove each coil in turn and see if it makes a difference to the engines running. When/if you remove one and it makes no difference? That usually leads to the failing coil (ht cap)

[David.]

To support the above suggestion by Simbo, here is a video to help the explanation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMJWr_BdNO8 OK, it's for a 2004 BMW R1150GS, but the principle is the same.

Not forgetting that the 2012 R1200RT is twin spark, two plugs/coils per cylinder.

[chrismckay]

To support the above suggestion by Simbo, here is a video to help the explanation

Thanks for the information Dave and Simbo.


Nice demonstration of how to check for the ineffective coil. The thing is though that the bike wont idle as it stalls at idle revs. Is it possible that perhaps 2 coils are affected?

[David.]

Is it possible that perhaps 2 coils are affected?

Have you got a Haynes manual, there are sections on Ignition system checks & Ignition coils.

If not, PM me an email address and I'll have a go at scanning the page.

[milleplod]

Thanks for the information Dave and Simbo.


Nice demonstration of how to check for the ineffective coil. The thing is though that the bike wont idle as it stalls at idle revs. Is it possible that perhaps 2 coils are affected?

As per Steptoe's reply over on UKGSer, yes it's possible that 2 have failed - you might not notice with one gone, but you do when another joins it!
Pete

[Pabst]

My '18 did that, bmw bought it back, they threw parts at it for 4 months then gave up and gave me a refund.  Check where the throttle plugs in near the grip, make sure it clicks in, sometimes that's all it takes.

[David.]

Just had my 2012 R1200RT out for a blast and had to limp home on reduced power.

My '18 did that.

[chrismckay]

Just a follow up to the outcome of the issue.


Turns out that the throttle cable had jumped a pulley...!!

[David.]

Turns out that the throttle cable had jumped a pulley.

Which pulley was it, twistgrip, cable splitter (on the front of the air filter housing) or throttle body.

Could this have been attributed to throttle cable adjustment/free play.

Is the bike fitted with cruise control.