BMW R1250 RH Valve Clearance Service Part 4 of 4

[@tycoontobias8741]

What a fantastic set of videos explaining the valve clearance service. I have learned so much. You have also given me the confidence to check the valve clearances on my 2019 1250GS where I am experiencing a starting issue. In an attempt to resolve the great left hand "ticking" noise the dealer advised they had reduced the clearances of the valves in an attempt to reduce the noise. This did not work. Now out of warranty for some time, I now have a starting issue where the bike fires-up fine on first start, then, if started within a short period of time later either fails to turn the engine over, or just manages to turn the engine over but then pulls the voltage down generating false error messages on the the display. I have checked this with a GS911, the fault codes are not logged. Reading other YT members with the same problem, they advise dealers have reduced the exhaust clearance to bottom spec, this to help the decompression cam spin-over as they feel it is this that is preventing the engine from turning hence causing the big voltage drop and subsequent error messages. I measured the LH exhaust gaps today (after watching your video) 0.32 & 0.31. So I now have to fetch this back into spec. However, this now dissolves the theory of reducing the exhaust gaps to min spec, as they are actually below min spec, and still the engine randomly will not turn-over on second/third quick start. Other times she turns over no issue. I have replaced the battery with a new higher CCA value also, and still the problem remains. Any idea's from yourself? Thanks in advance.

[@Boxflyer11]

Hello, my first thought is that the Timing Reluctor on the LH Exh cam could be slightly off. It is one of the significant inputs to the ECU to determine timing for not only spark but also fuel injection. If the cold spark timing (first start) is in a slightly enriched mixture, the flame front will be slower than when the engine is warm. A leaner mixture will cause the flame front to be enough faster so as to oppose the piston since the normal timing is just slightly before TDC. So if the timing reluctor is off, just a little bit, it can cause lots of poor running conditions...one of which is starting difficulties. In order to check the timing reluctor, you need all 3 of the Cam Timing Tools in place. 1) 8mm TDC locking pin, 2) Cam Chain Tensioner Tool installed in place of the LH oil pressure unit, and 3) the cams aligned and locked with the Cam Alignment Jig. The process of checking or adjusting Cam Timing and therefore also the Timing Reluctor is NOT called for in the BMW Service Manual except for the replacement of a camshaft, so it will not normally be checked by the dealer. Good Luck!

[@tycoontobias8741]

@@Boxflyer11 Simply awsome!, your reply is very much appreciated and I will certainly give this a try when my fixture set finally arrives from BMW.

[@tycoontobias8741]

@@Boxflyer11 one last question, can you clarify /expand on the meaning of "flame front"? I have not come across that terminology previously. Thank you.

[@Boxflyer11]

@@tycoontobias8741 This is pretty DEEP...but it's generally described as the speed at which the flame spreads across the combustion chamber and is greatly affected by the fuel/air ratio. www.webpages.uidaho.edu/mindworks/IC_Engines/week%207/Wk7_SI_Engine_Combustion.pdf

[@tycoontobias8741]

@@Boxflyer11 thank you. My homework for tonight. Much obliged for your kind assistance.

[@billsheats2192]

I've been searching for a videolike this to perform the service on my 2019 GS. Thanks!

[@Boxflyer11]

You're welcome!

[@TheZ4bmw]

Brilliant buddy thanks for doing this video 😊

[@Boxflyer11]

No problem 👍

[@johnarisman2022]

Thank you for your time, great video!!

[@Boxflyer11]

I'm glad you enjoyed this, and might feel more knowledgeable about doing it in the future.

[@kwmartin]

Excellent videos for the shiftheads. Thanks.

[@Boxflyer11]

Hey Ken, glad you liked these. Thanks again for being a Beta Tester on the Engine Turning Tool.

[@timspivey9809]

Would love to be able to look after my R1250GS like this and ‘know’ it’s right but the cost of the cam guides, shim set and a decent decent micrometer rules it out, having one bike and not doing big mileage. I’ll have to trust my dealer when the time comes around, why can’t you live in East Yorkshire UK rather than New England US. Really enjoyed watching all the videos, better than anything on the TV, well done.

[@Boxflyer11]

Thanks, I’ve done TechDay Demonstrations in Canada, and several places around the US, so it’s not out of the question for me to do a Service Demo in the UK! I’ll put you on the list of possible sites for the future.

[@rusty456]

Amazing work! thank you so much for sharing the knowledge. Will definitely do my own service when the time comes!

[@Boxflyer11]

Glad it helped you feel like you would be comfortable doing this yourself.

[@henkondemand]

Love your channel, I love the boxers and I will be around to watch your video's.

[@Boxflyer11]

I appreciate that!

[@pepecs9550]

Thanks so much sir, all these series of videos are so good, they will help me to do it by miself, can you tell me where did you buy the tool to block the camshaft or can you plis share the Part number¿ thanks a lot.

[@Boxflyer11]

As far as I know BMW is still shipping the Cam Alignment jigs for the 1250. The part number for the pair of them is 83302467268. You are welcome!

[@pepecs9550]

@@Boxflyer11 Ive seen that you fabrícate locking pin, how can I buy them? and do you ship to Mexico? Thanks

[@michaelvadney5803]

Wow, that's a lot of work, but doable. You break everything down. Thanks for these videos. I have done a few valve adjustments on the older air/oil cooled Ducati's and if I could not find the perfect shim I would get a thicker one and sand it down to thickness with some very fine paper on a sheet of glass. Is this practice bad for these engines? Thank you.

[@Boxflyer11]

I would not recommend that much of a DIY approach to doing the Valve Clearance Adjustments. Both the following rocker riding on the cam, and the tip of the valve that keep the shim in place are totally fixed in a parallel configuration and ANY "off parallel" sanding of a shim will cause one or the other of these surfaces to be worn to this new condition. Not good for either component. Shims are available in 0.02mm increments for the entire range of needed coverage on the WetHead 1200's and the ShiftHead 1250's. This would be from 2.00mm up thru 2.40mm...although not available in a KIT format, they can be purchased either from BMW for about $9 USD each or about $2 each if you source them from internet suppliers. Just search for 8.90mm Valve shims.

[@michaelvadney5803]

@@Boxflyer11 Thanks! Are the shims the same between the shifthead and the non-shifthead?

[@Boxflyer11]

@@michaelvadney5803 Yes, they are both 8.90mm

[@Baltha1710]

No, thank YOU very much! Ed.

[@Boxflyer11]

No worries!

[@drm4rtink]

Absolutely great instructional video. Just one consideration though. Why changing the shims if you are within the tolerance? Just instructional? (No offense)

[@Boxflyer11]

I’ve done over 100 of these Cam and Valve Services now and found that the noises from the valves are greatly reduced by adjusting the clearance to 0.12mm for the Intake and 0.36mm for the Exhaust. On my own 2016RT, I observed my valve clearances slowly increasing through the accumulated miles and finally at 77k miles, I was at the upper limit for a couple of valves. One valve that I watched particularly, started at my first 12k Service measuring 0.14mm, and at 77k was 0.17mm…the open limit. Had I set the valves at my first service to my current recommendation targets of 0.12mm and 0.36mm, I probably could have gone well over 100k without needing to make any changes to the installed shims. My Cam Timing and Clearance Worksheet shows these new “Target” values based on reducing the noise and extending the distance before needing to adjust the Valve Shims again. So, do it on the first “look” and you will be happier with the noises and may not need to adjust your valves for the life of your bike.

[@drm4rtink]

@@Boxflyer11 Wow! Thank you for your detailed description, I'll keep that in mind when I do my first valve check soon!

[@papethelion9461]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge! I've been trying to reach you through another website. I'm interested in purchasing the tools to do the job myself. I will appreciate it if you let me know. What's the easiest way to contact you? This is quite difficult.(Not a computer guy) thank you

[@Boxflyer11]

I can be reached at BMWST.com user name Boxflyer

[@Karavtech]

Have you ever find an intake camshaft retaining pin, or the bearing that retraining pin touches, with excessive free play?

[@Boxflyer11]

No, and your question is not exactly clear.

[@Karavtech]

@@Boxflyer11 when intake camshaft moves left and right, there is a locking spring-pin that touches a bearing with grooves and keeps the camshaft in place. I asked if you have ever found any bearing with excessive free play.

[@Boxflyer11]

Now I understand that you are talking about the Axial Fixation Pin. I’ve only seen about 40 of these and none of them have any “excessive play”

[@Karavtech]

@@Boxflyer11 have you ever seen a 1250 with high mileage, more than 70k kms? Did you see any excessive wear at any component inside cylinder head?

[@Boxflyer11]

Yes, I've worked on several with that distance. No wear issues.

[@stanm2.0]

Thank you for this. This was a great video series. Very informative. I knew the valve adjustments were something I'd have to deal with as my 2021 GSA1250 gets up there in mileage. I can't imagine a dealership doing as a meticulous job as you. But maybe. Will you adjust my valves when the time comes. Are you anywhere near Los Angeles...? @stanforadventure

[@Boxflyer11]

@stanm2.0 Sure, I'll be glad to do your Cam Timing and Valve Clearance Checks when you get ready. I live in Rhode Island, so it will take some coordination.

[@stanm2.0]

I'm out here in California but I am planning on riding my GSA to the East Coast this summer. So, we may be able to make it work out timing wise (slight pun intended) I'll keep in touch. Keep the great content coming.@@Boxflyer11