F700GS funny noise

[newrider]

My 700GS makes chattering noise upon cold start up. This only happens when it hasn't been run in a few days otherwise no unusual noise. This chattering lasts only a few seconds then perfection. Is this something bad or normal? I don't recall this when it was new. It has 10,500 miles.

 

[Omega Man]

I have it on mine (F800GS) also. It's kinda an "this engine has no oil" sound, for a quarter of a second? It doesn't happen all the time, I'm not concerned as it just seems after sitting perhaps the oil has drained back a bit.
OM

 

[lee]

Does the F series bikes have a hydraulic cam chain tensioner ? The tensioner could be loosing pressure after sitting awhile and letting the cam chain get loose.

 

[Omega Man]

Does the F series bikes have a hydraulic cam chain tensioner ? The tensioner could be loosing pressure after sitting awhile and letting the cam chain get loose.

A rather good guess at the noise I hear Lee. Looking at my Haynes manual, it looks like the common spring-loaded type with the guide blades.
OM

 

[jrwooden]

The tensioner is a combination oil/hydraulic + spring type unit...
not 100% clear how much tensioniong the oil/hydraulic unit applies or if it serves mainly as a damper.
It does have a check valve in it, and some folks have suggested that it be replaced every ??K miles...

but long story short ... It it only lasts for a few seconds that's pretty much normal.

Here's some deeper commentary: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=18098775&postcount=161

 

[newrider]

noise

Hey thanks jimbob for the commentary. Very interesting. Again, this noise is only upon cold start up and after sitting for a few days. no noise even after an overnight. Is the commentary on an F engine, ie F700GS?

 

[jrwooden]

Hey thanks jimbob for the commentary. Very interesting. Again, this noise is only upon cold start up and after sitting for a few days. no noise even after an overnight. Is the commentary on an F engine, ie F700GS?

Yes that commentary applies equally to the F650GS/F700GS/F800GS/F800ADV vertical twins....

I think you are good ... what weight(s) of oil does the F700GS manual recommend? 15W-50?

The older bikes suggested 10W-40 but then it was apparently revised later to 15W-50

http://www.bmw-motorrad.dk/se/sv/services/media/PI_OlL_BMW_MC_2012_MD.pdf