Engine noise

I have a 2016 RT with just under 13K on it. Will take it in next week for its 12K service. There is a noise emanating from the engine, it seems, that is prevalent when the engine is thoroughly warmed up, but not at all when the engine is first started cold. It sounds like a valve operating with too much clearance, a tap-tap-tap. One opinion was voiced that it is a fuel injector. Any experience out there? These engines aren't given to losing their valve clearance from what I've read. The bike runs just fine.

Does the noise go away when you pull in the clutch? If so it's normal on many bikes.

No, and I don't hear it so much at higher speeds and RPM's.

I am aware of a GSW that ate the lifters

It was a new GS water boxer with about 10,000 miles and no abuse and the lifters just wore out. Engine noise and a good diagnosis found the lifters were beat up so they were replaced and all is well now. Not my bike but the subject of a Saturday lunch conversation. Make sure you bring it in to the dealer with an "engine noise" complaint and insist they resolve it.

69zeff65 said:

It was a new GS water boxer with about 10,000 miles and no abuse and the lifters just wore out. Engine noise and a good diagnosis found the lifters were beat up so they were replaced and all is well now. Not my bike but the subject of a Saturday lunch conversation. Make sure you bring it in to the dealer with an "engine noise" complaint and insist they resolve it.

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Good lord whatever would have caused that? So many water boxers out there w/ miles on them now this is the first I've heard of a lifter issue.

royaltyl said:

I have a 2016 RT with just under 13K on it. Will take it in next week for its 12K service. There is a noise emanating from the engine, it seems, that is prevalent when the engine is thoroughly warmed up, but not at all when the engine is first started cold. It sounds like a valve operating with too much clearance, a tap-tap-tap. One opinion was voiced that it is a fuel injector. Any experience out there? These engines aren't given to losing their valve clearance from what I've read. The bike runs just fine.

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I took delivery of my '16 RT in March and shortly noticed what I described as a 'fluttering sound' under slight load between about 3000 and 3800 rpm [obscured completely by earplugs BTW]. I wondered if it was detonation as that is what it reminded me of. Inconsistent w/ detonation is I wouldn't hear this as much w/ lower RPM. I was told by the dealer this is a characteristic particularly in RT models because of where various lifter and injector noises emanate from in WB engines and these are reflected by the fairing to the rider so become quite noticeable. At the 700m break-in service I mentioned this and asked if I could test ride a new RT, they let me, and it was even more noticeable on the new RT than my own, so I chalked it up to something w/ all RTLCs. Of note, it's improved some over time when I check by riding w/o plugs. Others have claimed Liqui Moly 5W40 racing street oil may help reduce this as well as improve shifting considerably so I'm going to try that oil and see if there's an improvement.

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/rt-seri...ens-3000-3800-rpm-under-load.html#post1523010

I know that sound and that is not what I'm hearing, which is a distinct tapping. I'm taking it in for its 12000 mile service next week; we'll see what the valve clearances are and, if they are in spec, look elsewhere. I don't think it is a problem leading to some kind of failure; I have heard the sound for quite some time and have ridden the bike hard. It hasn't changed. Maybe some backlash in the cam gears.

69zeff65 said:

It was a new GS water boxer with about 10,000 miles and no abuse and the lifters just wore out. Engine noise and a good diagnosis found the lifters were beat up so they were replaced and all is well now. Not my bike but the subject of a Saturday lunch conversation. Make sure you bring it in to the dealer with an "engine noise" complaint and insist they resolve it.

Click to expand...

All eight of them? If it were one it would likely be a bad part, not hardened properly.