2012 BMW R1200RT Left Cylinder rattle on cold start

[wvpc]

OK. I have some questions regarding a 2012 RT 66K miles. Runs great. But, the left cylinder has the loud rattle on cold starts symptomatic of a worn cam chain tensioner bolt. The rattle lasts about a second and then is quiet. It started about 20K miles ago and seems to be a bit more pronounced now.

My question is can I just ignore the rattle? At what point is something going to be damaged?

There is not much about the camhead cam chain tensioner bolt on youtube. If I need to replace the assembly is it just the bolt or are there other parts that would have to be replaced?

Thanks..

 

[pglaves]

OK. I have some questions regarding a 2012 RT 66K miles. Runs great. But, the left cylinder has the loud rattle on cold starts symptomatic of a worn cam chain tensioner bolt. The rattle lasts about a second and then is quiet. It started about 20K miles ago and seems to be a bit more pronounced now.

My question is can I just ignore the rattle? At what point is something going to be damaged?

There is not much about the camhead cam chain tensioner bolt on youtube. If I need to replace the assembly is it just the bolt or are there other parts that would have to be replaced?

Thanks..

I'm not sure what you mean by "cam chain tensioner bolt." That is a hydraulic cam chain tensioner. And the clatter can do big-time damage by shattering a cam chain guide rail. Earlier models had a replacement tensioner specified. Not sure about the 2012 models.

 

[wvpc]

Thanks for your thoughts on this Paul. From what I can see online this cam chain tensioner design has been a problem from the oilhead era thru to the wethead era. Sometimes I have to wonder what BMW Motorrad is thinking when a problem continues thru a series of boxer engine designs and 3 decades of time.

So far I have not seen a replacement kit for the camhead motor online. I suppose I could buy the stock part and install that but why? It would seem like there is a better solution to fix this problem.

 

[classicvw]

Thanks for your thoughts on this Paul. From what I can see online this cam chain tensioner design has been a problem from the oilhead era thru to the wethead era. Sometimes I have to wonder what BMW Motorrad is thinking when a problem continues thru a series of boxer engine designs and 3 decades of time.

So far I have not seen a replacement kit for the camhead motor online. I suppose I could buy the stock part and install that but why? It would seem like there is a better solution to fix this problem.

Why buy the stock part and install?

That “stock part” did last 66K.
There may be no other option.
Doing noting is courting disaster.

 

[wvpc]

Thanks for your input Classic V-dub. I am just trying to check out all options. So far the stock item from BMW is all I have found. I will keep looking but I find it interesting there is not much info or any aftermarket part for the camhead motor.

 

[bhodges]

Euro Motoelectrics, out of Denver, Co., makes an improved left side cam chain tensioner. Fixes the cold start rattle.

see here: https://www.euromotoelectrics.com/product-p/camtensioner797.htm

 

[gsaddict]

Euro Motoelectrics, out of Denver, Co., makes an improved left side cam chain tensioner. Fixes the cold start rattle.

see here: https://www.euromotoelectrics.com/product-p/camtensioner797.htm

Exact same price as the BMW fiche. Appears to be the OE part/number

 

[bhodges]

You know you're right...I stand corrected. When I bought my replacement coils last year they listed this as a fix for the cold start rattle (and it probably is) and I assumed it was an improved part like the ones for the oil head/hexhead.

 

[gsaddict]

You know you're right...I stand corrected. When I bought my replacement coils last year they listed this as a fix for the cold start rattle (and it probably is) and I assumed it was an improved part like the ones for the oil head/hexhead.

It is the improved part that does not leak down.