BMW K1600 Ignition Coil Replacement

[@mikem9571]

Thanks Tony. Spraying some lube on the rubber parts of that air tube did the trick! My wife thinks we're related after she heard your commentary! 😂 Hope the RM Stator coils last longer than the OEM

[@tonycarthan6425]

You are welcome. Glad the video helped. As for your wife opinion, Great Minds Think Alike!🙂. Thanks for watching.

[@JasonLegate]

Thanks for this. I'm getting ready to replace coil #6 (far right as you sit) on my GTL. I had gotten to the point of having the fairings off and being able to unplug the coil, but contrary to what I'd read, you can NOT get #6 out without removing the radiator. I wasn't prepped for that that day, so..... It's been firing codes periodically since then, but overall, still love the bike. Great ride!

[@claw1770]

Cheers Tony, just had a coil fail (my second) mine is #4. Thought i'd watch your video as a reminder. Great video.

[@tonycarthan6425]

Excellent, hope it helps. learn from my mistakes and successes. That's why I include the bad and the good.

[@ragefpv8815]

Thank you Tony for your valuable video on this subject. Started this job tonight. Mine is running worse and worse over last year, still no check engine though. Wondering if i have corroded coil or plug causing it. Anyway bought 6 rm stator coils and ngk plugs. Not messing about once in there. Packed up for the night at point of removing the secondary air tube. Started tug on it with tyre spoons. Been scouring the internet for tips, not many around. Tempted to go at it with wd40 and hot air gun, before trying again?! Also cannot work out how to remove the radiator cap, but wondering now if you need to loosen it then push down and turn to undo it the rest of the way? Might allow the stop position in the cap to clear the plastic interference? Interesting job this one.

[@tonycarthan6425]

Dont give up on the radiator cap. It is very difficult to remove but iwill come off. Spray the air tube with a good penetrating lube like PB Blaster and work carefully. Best of luck to you and thanks for watching.

[@olmanzomby7718]

This is a lot of help on how to R&R my ignition coil. Thank you, Tony, who does stuff! I'm a subscriber as of now on your channel!

[@tonycarthan6425]

Thank you for subscribing. I haven't posted anything in a while, life seems to get in the way, but I have a few projects coming up. Once again thanks for watching and subscribing.

[@olmanzomby7718]

@@tonycarthan6425 I agree. Life, sometimes does become challenging at times, but when it throws lemons at you....make a lemon pie! May everything go well for you and I will be looking forward to your postings in the future.

[@bradywilliams2951]

Very informative. I'll be watching the fairing removal video next. Got a #5 to replace soon.

[@tonycarthan6425]

It's a lot of work. If you can afford it do all six and new plus. That's my plann if I have to do another one.

[@ImDavidHasselhoff]

Great video, they sure made it a pain to change the coils on these bikes. My K1200R Sport has a near identical assembly, and to get to the coils I also have to remove the radiator. I'll refer to this video if and when the time comes. The bike only has 7000 miles, so it will be a while, Cheers from Texas!

[@tonycarthan6425]

Thanks for watching and commenting. If I am not mistaken your bike is similar to mine just two cylinders less. Hope this helps. I was born in Houston! Go Cowboys 👍🏽

[@jeffshootsstuff]

very helpful, thanks. I have had an intermittent fault/misfire for the past few months. I asume it's one or more coils. I have a GS 911 but haven't tried it yet. Your video will come in super handy!

[@tonycarthan6425]

Yes, hindsight us always clearer than the present. If I go back in will do 6 fresh coils thanks for watching and commenting.

[@garypleasant3116]

Are you getting a check engine light? I’m having a misfire too but I’m not getting a check engine light. I had this around 10,000mi. At that point I found a broken spark plug. This time all of my plugs meter well. What was your experience?

[@tonycarthan6425]

As stated in the video, I had an intermittent stumble during start up and acceleration. No particular pattern, but it always caused a check engine light. Sometimes it would run all day with no problems! Just the nature of electronic things.

[@ericlugo1597]

OK my brother I appreciate it. That’s what my intention was to do anyway, have a blessed day.

[@jeffreylonigro4081]

Good video! Harley guy here. I want a k1600 but I’m short.

[@tonycarthan6425]

I am not tall.. Can only put one foot flat on the ground. I believe the K1600 Grand America is much lower but not my style. Dont know about the GTL models. They make aftermarket seats that are a bit lower.. Good luck my vertically challenged brother. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@Myrune1]

This is a pretty darned good video! Thank you. The only thing I would have done different, I might have replaced all those coils. Apparently it's a known issue and OEM coils are over-the-top expensive.

[@tonycarthan6425]

Yes you are not the 1st to tell me that. At least h have a test drive on the product . When I go in again I will do all six. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@flydeep4u1]

Cool man,,, nice job. Thanks for your time and letting others know we can do this.

[@tonycarthan6425]

You are welcome and thanks for watching.

[@hectorvara750]

Thank you, Tony! Excellent information. I know you must have considered replacing all six coils simultaneously. I have heard that once one goes they all go sooner rather than much later. Your thought on that would be appreciated.

[@tonycarthan6425]

To date the bike has 36434 miles. Have not experienced another failure. If I do have one, and it is not the RMSTATOR coil, I will replace all six. Due to the $$ I think this is a good test of the product. Only time will tell.

[@dimitarr296]

Was at the bike shop yesterday, coils are $225 a piece + plugs+ coolant flush+labor… $2600 😢 , I may try do it myself, the radiator is that is worrying me 😅 ! Thank you for the video!

[@tonycarthan6425]

@dimitarr296 I made it more complicated than it should have been. Just take your time, work carefully, and learn from my mistakes. And if I have to go in again I will do all six. Thanks for watching and commenting. Good luck.

[@JoeFurtado-xv5no]

Just came across this video great job my friend I’m looking into buying a k1600 and love working on my current bike. Did you have the service manual for the bike just curious

[@tonycarthan6425]

No I do not. BMW makes it difficult to get service information. Its not like the old days when you could buy a paper manual. Now everything is on a CD and is rather expensive so out of reach to most of us. There is a fellow on the K1600 Forum who has a maintenance CD that is affordable but I dont have it. As you can see from the video, I just make it up as I go LOL. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@mikeendmd]

Nice job. I know you saved a bundle doing it yourself. That's the best way. You know it's done right. Question, was the check engine the first indication of a problem or did you feel the miss?👍

[@tonycarthan6425]

I felt it. It started out intermittently and gradually became more frequent. Thanks for watching.

[@richard66754]

I rode one of these, and it is a fantastic bike. However, the more I watch repairs on them, the less I want one.😂

[@tonycarthan6425]

I love the bike But. In addition to the ignition coils; and the front shock; and the TPS witch is expected; I have had one auxiliary driving light fail due to water intrusion; I am on my 4th navigation unit, no cost $$$ to me just really inconvenient; and my reverse function hasn't worked in at least year and a half. I will eventually get around to fixing these things. After all that, I still love the bike and feel it was a good purchase. That doesn't keep me from looking at a GoldWing for my next ride.!!😏

[@capifsjshop]

Fill the reservoir, open the cap just to brake the seal and the coolant will go in, once filled and just tighten the radiator cap back and refill the reservoir.

[@tonycarthan6425]

Thanks, Hind Sight is always clearer. I will know next time. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@sunyoungg5634]

Heard good reports on the RM Stator coils for only $70 vs OEM at around $250

[@tonycarthan6425]

More than 60 days in and no issues!

[@СтаниславСоколин-м8т]

А есть номера или полный артикул этих катушек?

[@magnusb6311]

Appreciate the video. Just a heads up, check steel if it is stainless steel with a magnet is not the correct way. One can actually have magnetic ss.

[@tonycarthan6425]

Yes you are absolutely correct. If the steel is not pure stainless it will have a percentage of ferrous metal and will be attracted to a magnet. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@magnusb6311]

@@tonycarthan6425 Yes, and there is SS made that way. Examples are 409, 430 and 439 stainless steel. Best way to test if it is stainless is to use a drop of copper sulfite, it should discolor the steel within a minute. It does not discolor the ferrite stainless, but do discolor the fake stainless.

[@MrBburdick]

Tony your video's are top notch, thanks for sharing!

[@tonycarthan6425]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting.

[@AB-hx9hs]

Hi Tony. So I ran into some of the same issues you had. The Radiator cap is hard to remove, I got it off the first time but 2nd time I tried it will not come off. I need to replace #6 Coil. I think that overhead plastic pipe does not need to be removed as I don't think it covers the #6 Coil, correct ?? Also, do you think #6 is accessible WITHOUT removing the Radiator?? Finally, if I remove and drain the Radiator, what is the best way to refill it? Is through the Metal Cap ?? Thank you.

[@huzar777kosy3]

How many miles on the bike??? Coil go bad

[@tonycarthan6425]

2645 miles so far with no problems. Thanks for checkin back.

[@joaoleal5736]

Hello Tony, how is the coil of rmstator holding up? What is the cost of rmstator compared with the original one? Great job Greetings

[@tonycarthan6425]

Bike is running great. OEM coils are about $ 175.00 US. I am verry satisfied. Thanks for watching.

[@ericlugo1597]

Hello Tony, how are you doing? My name is Eric a.k.a. Hollywood I am a new member of the Bmw family. I have a 20 12 1600 GTL I just purchased this in a month ago I love the bike I have another bike which is on the boulevard M109. It’s a bad ass bike but as far as long-distance riding my wife and I enjoy the BMW, I’m not much of a mechanic so I have to rely on bringing the bike to my mechanic but there are only certain things he can do. He doesn’t have the computers because he doesn’t work on BMWs a lot. The check engine light has come on on several occasions, my question is do I only have to replace the one coil that’s going bad if I get the one that you had or do I need to replace all six it is a 2012 and I’m trying to make it as new as possible and it only has 45,000 miles

[@tonycarthan6425]

Hello Eric. You must first identify why your check engine indicator is coming on. To do that you need a scanner or take it to a dealer who can scan a BMW. Then you can decide how to repair the bike. As far as the coil replacement, if that is your problem, you should do all six due to the amount of work involved. If I have another failure I will replace all six. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching.

[@spudman1125R]

Hi Tony! Just thought I'd check to see if the RM stator coil is still performing as it should. Looks like it has been about 11 months since the replacement now, and according to the RM Stator website, they have a 2 year warranty. I haven't had any coils fail yet on my 2012 K1600GT, but I like to do a bit of research ahead of time so the job will be easier if/when I need to do it. By the way...I bought the BMW maintenance/service manual CD back in 2012 right after I bought my bike. I'd be happy to burn a copy and mail it to you if you'd like. I find it to be VERY helpful...often times I use it in conjunction with KZbin videos such as yours!

[@tonycarthan6425]

Yes, the coil is working great. Have had no problems whatsoever. As for the CD, that is a very generous offer. I will get back to you, thanks!

[@chuckstephens3967]

have you had any trouble with new coil yet???? i am going to replace all 6 and plugs thanks

[@tonycarthan6425]

Nope, odometer reads 36487 miles without a glitch.

[@beozzie690]

Tony, prepare to disassemble it once again.. once one coil goes bad, over a period of 6 months the others will fail.. It’s a known fault with those coils. Good luck mate

[@tonycarthan6425]

Yes you are not the first to warn me. At least I will have tried the product for a while. And I won't make the same mistakes second time around. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@jbadj85]

​@@tonycarthan6425 hello again friend, just a question. To change the spark plug you need a special tool or just remove the coil?

[@tonycarthan6425]

@@jbadj85 I did not have the special tool and dont think it is needed.

[@cjlowflyer9885]

LOL. Hiccups aside you are my kind of mechanic. Great video. I do stuff too...

[@tonycarthan6425]

Thanks for the kind words. We do stuff !

[@AB-hx9hs]

Oh yes, one more question: Since these Coils are Expensive and so are the spark plugs. Is there a way to repair the Coil? And are the cheap coils from China any good ?? Thank you.

[@tonycarthan6425]

I am not sure but I think the radiator would not need to be touched to get access to #6. It is on the cam chain side of the engine and there may be enough room to access it without messing with the cooling system. I have no experience with Chinese made coils, only the RM STATOR brand. Mine are still working with no issues. Dont believe it would be practical to attempt repair of a bad coil since the units are sealed. If you do drain the cooling system, there are many videos on the proper way to fill and drain. My method was incorrect and complex. Get the cap off and fill the system through there. Also air bleeding will be required, see other videos. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@ericlugo1597]

I have a question my friend. Where are you located? I’m in Florida.

[@tonycarthan6425]

Virginia

[@bright-technology-enrgy]

Great Great Great !!!

[@tonycarthan6425]

Thanks Thanks Thanks !!!

[@jaredkunak8512]

How is the RM Stator Coil holding up? I've heard mixed reviews on their longevity.

[@tonycarthan6425]

Several hundred miles on it and no issues.probably close to 1000 or more, I need to check the odometer

[@jaredkunak8512]

​@@tonycarthan6425Thanks for the update. I decided to give them a try. I have an intermittent fault on #4. Amazon is currently offering 15% off if you purchase a pair.

[@tonycarthan6425]

Good deal, as long as you get genuine RM Stator coils and not a knock off . Good luck with the repair.

[@jbadj85]

Hello friend, at the end which is the order of coil numbers? Coil#1 is on the side of coolant reservoir (right of handlebar)? Thank younfor the video

[@tonycarthan6425]

Coil 1 is on the clutch side. On your left if you are sitting on th bike. I was so confused when shooting the video. Thanks for watching and sorry for the mix up.

[@jbadj85]

@@tonycarthan6425 thank you very much for your video, from CostaRica central america 🇨🇷. Count with a place here if one day want to come. I have 2 spare coils from RMstat. for the day when coils fail, at the moment 50k km and is running fine ✌️. Past year i rode from CR to U. S. son come here 😬

[@tonycarthan6425]

@@jbadj85 Thanks so much for the invitation. Have a great riding year.

[@sunyoungg5634]

Secondary Air Tube, not Positive Crankcase Ventilation

[@tonycarthan6425]

Thanks for the correction. I make this stuf up as I go. Thanks for watching.

[@pavevbogovev4045]

DO NOT perform that vacuum procedure.😬 Fill only at reservoir while the bile is running and sucking in coolant 🙄

[@nouraldeenalybrodi]

أتمنى أن تخبئ شعرك في الحلقة القادمة 😊❤

[@tonycarthan6425]

👍🏽😄

[@Gigantor60]

Replace all 6! You never replace one of anything when it requires that much work to tear it down

[@johnmalenchek6597]

Six cylinders, 3 has to be middle. No troubleshooting required

[@tonycarthan6425]

Depends on what side you start counting from!,😀