R1150RS Valve Failure

109005 · 11-02-2009, 03:11 PM

I have a 2004 RS with 35,000 miles. Blew a valve over the weekend. They estimate it will cost about $1,000 to repair. Anyone hear of other valve problems with the RS?

boxerr · 11-03-2009, 05:09 AM

Not good. A bit more information would help. Did it drop a valve?, burn one out?
What was the service intervals like? All that stuff could explain your problem.

jingdog · 11-03-2009, 06:51 AM

Its not a common problem for these engines. If it broke in half and destroyed the piston and cylinder (and maybe bent a rod) that is unusual. If its just burned so the engine isnt holding compression as boxxer mentioned that would most likely be due to a maintenace issue. In any case the other cylinder head needs looking at also before that one goes too.

109005 · 11-03-2009, 09:39 AM

They're taking the engine apart right now so I don't have a report yet. However, the bike has been well maintained. When I get details I will post.

109005 · 11-03-2009, 12:55 PM

Just got the call from the dealer. Burnt valve. Nothing needs to be sent to a machine shop so that is good. Looking at $650 rather than the $1,000 that was first mentioned. They want to look at the other head too and clean it out. I agreed. As to cause, they say alot has to do with the octane levels of today's gas, and additives should be used periodically to clean things out. That's new to me. They also said that low running rpms are not good. I told them that's not the case with me as I'm always reving high. Oh well. I love this bike but now I'm not sure I want to keep it.

jingdog · 11-03-2009, 03:44 PM

A burnt valve would most likely be a tight valve clearance. Maybe running too low an octane. If that were so the other side would be gone too. (maybe it is) Hmm it happens.

AntonLargiader · 11-03-2009, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 109005

Burnt valve. Nothing needs to be sent to a machine shop so that is good.

Make certain that they verify the contact between the valve and seat. Sometimes I've seen the seat area running off the inside of the valve face, so there isn't enough contact area. That'll overheat the valve.

Basically they should do a valve job. Grind or replace exhaust valves, grind seats to provide the correct contact.

11-02-2009, 03:11 PM	#1
109005 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 17	R1150RS Valve Failure I have a 2004 RS with 35,000 miles. Blew a valve over the weekend. They estimate it will cost about $1,000 to repair. Anyone hear of other valve problems with the RS?

11-03-2009, 06:51 AM	#3
jingdog Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 408	Its not a common problem for these engines. If it broke in half and destroyed the piston and cylinder (and maybe bent a rod) that is unusual. If its just burned so the engine isnt holding compression as boxxer mentioned that would most likely be due to a maintenace issue. In any case the other cylinder head needs looking at also before that one goes too. __________________ BMWMOA 132064 I can screw it up as good as anyone. Maybe even better...

11-03-2009, 09:39 AM	#4
109005 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 17	R1150RS Valve Failure They're taking the engine apart right now so I don't have a report yet. However, the bike has been well maintained. When I get details I will post.

11-03-2009, 12:55 PM	#5
109005 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 17	R1150RS Valve Failure Just got the call from the dealer. Burnt valve. Nothing needs to be sent to a machine shop so that is good. Looking at $650 rather than the $1,000 that was first mentioned. They want to look at the other head too and clean it out. I agreed. As to cause, they say alot has to do with the octane levels of today's gas, and additives should be used periodically to clean things out. That's new to me. They also said that low running rpms are not good. I told them that's not the case with me as I'm always reving high. Oh well. I love this bike but now I'm not sure I want to keep it.

11-03-2009, 03:44 PM	#6
jingdog Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 408	A burnt valve would most likely be a tight valve clearance. Maybe running too low an octane. If that were so the other side would be gone too. (maybe it is) Hmm it happens. __________________ BMWMOA 132064 I can screw it up as good as anyone. Maybe even better...

11-03-2009, 05:09 AM	#2
boxerr Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 199	Not good. A bit more information would help. Did it drop a valve?, burn one out? What was the service intervals like? All that stuff could explain your problem.