R1150GS-Right Cylinder only fires under acceleration?

moparsbob · 12-31-2011, 03:08 PM

I just bought a 2002 R1150GS a couple of months ago that has about 28,000 on the odometer. I rode it a few times before the snow hit, and it ran fine, except that it had a regular flooded lead-acid battery in it, and the battery was on it's last legs and would go dead within a few days of not riding the bike. So, I ordered a Odyssey PC680 AGM battery for it. Today it warmed up to over 50F, so I decided to install the new battery and go for a ride. The bike had probably been sitting for about a month since I last rode it, but I had run the gas almost empty and put fresh gas in it on that last ride. I didn't completely remove the tank to install the new battery, I just removed the rear tank bolt and propped up the rear of the tank enough to install it. I bolted the tank back on, installed the seats and side panel, and fired it up to go for a ride. It started, but was running very rough on only one cylinder. I took it out and drove it for a few miles to see if it just needed to warm up, but it continued to run very rough, with the second cylinder only kicking in and firing when I got on the throttle above about 4k rpms - it would run OK as long as I was accelerating, but the second cylinder would cut out as soon as I backed off the throttle or let the RPMs drop. Got back home and checked the cylinders, and the right cylinder was obviously the problem, because it was much cooler than the left one. I pulled the spark plug, which was a dual-electrode NGK BKR7E, and it looked OK (the bike had been running fine until today). So then I checked the plug wire, fuel lines, etc., and couldn't see anything wrong. I cleaned the plug really well and re-installed, but the right cylinder is continuing to miss. Any ideas about what could be causing it to do this? I'm kind of at a loss as to what to check next - I've had a lot of bikes, but I'm not that familiar with BMW boxers. Is there something that I could have screwed up when I installed the battery? Thanks in advance for any suggestions on how to proceed to diagnose the problem.

-Bob in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Mike Ryder · 12-31-2011, 03:53 PM

The common thing to check are the throttle cables seating in the adjusters on the throttle bodies. One might be lifted off a bit.

JimVonBaden · 12-31-2011, 03:59 PM

Yup, Like this.

Jim

Mike Ryder · 12-31-2011, 04:04 PM

Thats a million words right there. nice picture. Happy New Year.

moparsbob · 12-31-2011, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Ryder

The common thing to check are the throttle cables seating in the adjusters on the throttle bodies. One might be lifted off a bit.

You nailed it! The throttle cable to the right cylinder throttle body had pulled up out of the adjuster, and the end of the cable was stuck on the top edge of the adjuster. I popped the cable back into the adjuster, and now she's idling & running just fine! You guys are great! I had a feeling that someone on the forum might know just what could cause this.
Hopefully the weather will still be nice tomorrow, and I can take her out for a proper ride!

Many Thanks!

-Bob in Albuquerque, New Mexico

dwestmodesto · 12-31-2011, 11:16 PM

I had the same problem, and an inmate here showed me the way. Now if I hear a miss, I check the damn cable...pop it back into its spot and all is good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by moparsbob

You nailed it! The throttle cable to the right cylinder throttle body had pulled up out of the adjuster, and the end of the cable was stuck on the top edge of the adjuster. I popped the cable back into the adjuster, and now she's idling & running just fine! You guys are great! I had a feeling that someone on the forum might know just what could cause this.
Hopefully the weather will still be nice tomorrow, and I can take her out for a proper ride!

Many Thanks!

-Bob in Albuquerque, New Mexico

GS Addict · 01-01-2012, 09:17 AM

Everyone has to do that once.....rite of passage

Rick001 · 01-01-2012, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GS Addict

Everyone has to do that once.....rite of passage

Don't think there would be an Oilhead owner who works on their bike, who has not done that. First time I took my tank off, I did it and nearly had a heart attack, until I got onto ADV and looked it up. Now I check as a matter of course after any service work.

Oilybimmer · 01-01-2012, 01:49 PM

We have all done that one, surprising how badly they run and what your imagination gets up to

Dogfart · 02-10-2013, 07:30 PM

Same damn thing just happened to me, right down to the model of the battery replaced. I freaked at first, of course, but was elated when two seconds on this site led me to the "correct" picture. I love this place.

sonnyb · 02-11-2013, 05:34 PM

one more thing,after installing new battery open a throttle fully once or twice for motronic

def · 02-11-2013, 09:08 PM

Shortly after I had my then 2001 GS, I experienced the same problem.

The late Rob Lentini helped me with the solution. Thanks Rob. RIP.

12-31-2011, 03:08 PM	#1
moparsbob ^OP n00b Joined: Sep 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Oddometer: 6	R1150GS-Right Cylinder only fires under acceleration? I just bought a 2002 R1150GS a couple of months ago that has about 28,000 on the odometer. I rode it a few times before the snow hit, and it ran fine, except that it had a regular flooded lead-acid battery in it, and the battery was on it's last legs and would go dead within a few days of not riding the bike. So, I ordered a Odyssey PC680 AGM battery for it. Today it warmed up to over 50F, so I decided to install the new battery and go for a ride. The bike had probably been sitting for about a month since I last rode it, but I had run the gas almost empty and put fresh gas in it on that last ride. I didn't completely remove the tank to install the new battery, I just removed the rear tank bolt and propped up the rear of the tank enough to install it. I bolted the tank back on, installed the seats and side panel, and fired it up to go for a ride. It started, but was running very rough on only one cylinder. I took it out and drove it for a few miles to see if it just needed to warm up, but it continued to run very rough, with the second cylinder only kicking in and firing when I got on the throttle above about 4k rpms - it would run OK as long as I was accelerating, but the second cylinder would cut out as soon as I backed off the throttle or let the RPMs drop. Got back home and checked the cylinders, and the right cylinder was obviously the problem, because it was much cooler than the left one. I pulled the spark plug, which was a dual-electrode NGK BKR7E, and it looked OK (the bike had been running fine until today). So then I checked the plug wire, fuel lines, etc., and couldn't see anything wrong. I cleaned the plug really well and re-installed, but the right cylinder is continuing to miss. Any ideas about what could be causing it to do this? I'm kind of at a loss as to what to check next - I've had a lot of bikes, but I'm not that familiar with BMW boxers. Is there something that I could have screwed up when I installed the battery? Thanks in advance for any suggestions on how to proceed to diagnose the problem. -Bob in Albuquerque, New Mexico

12-31-2011, 03:53 PM	#2
Mike Ryder Kriegerkuh Joined: Oct 2003 Location: Peachland B.C. Canada Oddometer: 689	The common thing to check are the throttle cables seating in the adjusters on the throttle bodies. One might be lifted off a bit. __________________ Yes I am quite serious.

12-31-2011, 03:59 PM	#3
JimVonBaden "Cool" Aid! Joined: Feb 2005 Location: Alexandria, VA Oddometer: 41,500	Yup, Like this. Jim __________________ Click here for BMW Maintenance and Repair DVDs and Corrections. "Combo-Order Discounts!"

12-31-2011, 04:04 PM	#4
Mike Ryder Kriegerkuh Joined: Oct 2003 Location: Peachland B.C. Canada Oddometer: 689	Thats a million words right there. nice picture. Happy New Year. __________________ Yes I am quite serious.

01-01-2012, 09:17 AM	#7
GS Addict Pepperfool Joined: Sep 2006 Location: British Columbia Oddometer: 2,570	Everyone has to do that once.....rite of passage __________________ Old enough to know better.... Young enough to try it again

01-01-2012, 01:49 PM	#9
Oilybimmer Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2007 Location: North Wales Oddometer: 1,421	We have all done that one, surprising how badly they run and what your imagination gets up to __________________ 1998 GS 1100, TT hard parts, Zega panniers, MRA screen, WP rear shock, HID, keeps getting better. PM me for drawings and dimensions to make your own Canbus fluid adapter

02-10-2013, 07:30 PM	#10
Dogfart n00b Joined: Feb 2013 Location: East Coast US, for now. Oddometer: 2	L al B Same damn thing just happened to me, right down to the model of the battery replaced. I freaked at first, of course, but was elated when two seconds on this site led me to the "correct" picture. I love this place.

02-11-2013, 05:34 PM	#11
sonnyb Adventurer Joined: Jul 2008 Location: Charlotte NC Oddometer: 49	one more thing,after installing new battery open a throttle fully once or twice for motronic

02-11-2013, 09:08 PM	#12
def I have little to say Joined: Feb 2004 Location: The woods and mountains of Alabama Oddometer: 6,337	Shortly after I had my then 2001 GS, I experienced the same problem. The late Rob Lentini helped me with the solution. Thanks Rob. RIP.

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