Dramatic Power Loss/ Engine Knocking on interstate.

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gongetya
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Dramatic Power Loss/ Engine Knocking on interstate.

Post by gongetya »

I have an 04 Rockster with 61k miles. never had any problems. i'm riding two up cross-country and she's got about 600 extra pounds of weight including me and the lady and our gear.
I added seafoam to the tank before the trip. bike responded well. i added a bottle of Lucas injector cleaner on the next tank of fuel and didn't get 10 miles before I heard a 'pop' and had a sudden power loss along with a deep, throaty, (hold the comments on that guys) exhaust sound, black smoke AND then followed by a nasty clanking in what sounds like the left cylinder. I also noticed oil on the cat converter but did not find the source..the rest of the bike was dry and there was definitely carbon particles on the back wheel
what the hell did I do to my baby?!
I've read about carbon buildup and other possible diagnoses' but don't have time to research...did I kill the engine?
it will start with hesitation but the knocking sounds terrible and reminds me of losing the oil out of a car and throwing a rod...
I need some strong advice. I'm very capable mechanically but on the road and currently in New Orleans until I get this fixed.
any help would be greatly appreciated.

UPDATE: I pulled the plugs and the left bottom plug looked like it had been chewed by a dog. I changed the oil and the plugs and now the bike won't start at all. It tries to turn over and the power is strong but it wont start. May need a new left cylinder head? Overheated?
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Re: Dramatic Power Loss/ Engine Knocking on interstate.

Post by NoRRmad »

Sounds like you swallowed an exhaust valve, and/or broke a piston. Both pretty rare, neither caused by gas additives, both hard to repair on the road. I'd take off the left valve cover and make sure everything's still there, take a flashlight and find the source of the oil leak. That should answer a lot of questions. I wouldn't even try to run the engine if it makes clanking noises. Good luck! :-k
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Re: Dramatic Power Loss/ Engine Knocking on interstate.

Post by CycleRob »

gongetya wrote:I added seafoam to the tank before the trip. bike responded well. I added a bottle of Lucas injector cleaner on the next tank of fuel and didn't get 10 miles before I heard a 'pop' and had a sudden power loss along with a deep, throaty, (hold the comments on that guys) exhaust sound, black smoke AND then followed by a nasty clanking in what sounds like the left cylinder.
A whole bottle of injector cleaner is way too much for 5 gallons of gas, especially in addition to the added SeaFoam remaining from the previous tankful. With the extra weight and the octane rating chemically lowered by excessive fuel additives you very likely burned a hole in the left cylinder's piston and scored the cylinderwalls. With helmets on and wind noise you prolly did not hear the pinging/detonation that melted the piston(s). The oil coming out the catalyst is engine oil that was blown thru that holed piston into the combustion chamber and out the exhaust pipe. That bike isn't going anywhere for a while . . . and considering the cost of the expensive replacement parts and labor it may be cheaper/quicker to put in a used engine as the right piston/cylinder is also damaged.
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gongetya
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Re: Dramatic Power Loss/ Engine Knocking on interstate.

Post by gongetya »

CycleRob wrote:
considering the cost of the expensive replacement parts and labor it may be cheaper/quicker to put in a used engine as the right piston/cylinder is also damaged.[/quote]

CycleRob, would I need to replace the entire engine or can I just replace the pistons and cylinder heads on both sides? I would like to be cost efficient and will most likely be seeking used parts. I would appreciate some specific guidance.
I'm taking the valve covers off today for a peek inside.
Thanks.
*UPDATE*...
I pulled the left cylinder head and and exhaust off. Found a missing rod and ground metal in the exhaust/ left cylinder. The right cylinder seems to be fine.
Question:
Do you think I could replace the left cylinder only and it would be sufficient?
Do I need to replace the whole motor because that piston was chewed up?
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Re: Dramatic Power Loss/ Engine Knocking on interstate.

Post by CycleRob »

gongetya wrote:I pulled the left cylinder head and and exhaust off. Found a missing rod and ground metal in the exhaust/ left cylinder. The right cylinder seems to be fine.
The lean fueling that damaged the left cylinder also powered the right cylinder, so damage to the right cylinder's piston crown, ring lands, rings, exhaust valve and other neighborhood parts is very likely. Yes, you can replace just the left piston assembly and maybe the cylinderhead, but you must pull the right cylinder head for a closer inspection. A lot of cast Aluminum granules from the piston will have been shot into the crankcase sump, and they will be difficult to remove completely. Used parts? (from BeemerBoneYard). The barrel, head, piston with rings should be less than half the cost of new parts. Can you upload some pics of the damage?
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Re: Dramatic Power Loss/ Engine Knocking on interstate.

Post by gongetya »

CycleRob wrote: Used parts? (from BeemerBoneYard). The barrel, head, piston with rings should be less than half the cost of new parts. Can you upload some pics of the damage?
Thanks alot for your help. I am looking on BeemerBoneYard and ebay and I've been looking in the BMW classifieds on different forums as well as salvage yards. I'm planning on getting a replacement cylinder/ piston and head combination and just replacing it whole.
I will try to upload pictures later and it is obvious the top exhaust valve was thrown into and chewed. Here is a general and maybe dumb question..if I do replace the entire left cylinder assembly, how would i clean the aluminum bits from the engine crankcase?
today I hope to accomplish complete cylinder removal and a good cleaning. I have not ordered any replacement parts as of yet.
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gongetya
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Re: Dramatic Power Loss/ Engine Knocking on interstate.

Post by gongetya »

does anyone know if I can use cylinders and pistons from an R1200c for this repair?
I have an 04 R1150R Rockster.
Also if anyone knows of any direct links for parts interchange lists between the R bikes, that would be greatly appreciated as well. I may post this request on other parts of this site in hopes of reaching a resource.
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gongetya
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Re: Dramatic Power Loss/ Engine Knocking on interstate.

Post by gongetya »

Pictures of the left and right exhaust manifold and cylinder heads..
the left is missing the upper exaust valve which I assume was chewed along with spark plug.
http://s1302.photobucket.com/user/gongetya/slideshow/

at this time I'm really wanting to replace both cylinders and heads and hope that would be fine.
My concern is why this happened in the first place...Is the underlying cause all of the weight and my lugging the engine along with the additives??
if I put on new cylinders and heads, should I expect it to start and run okay?
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gongetya
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Re: Dramatic Power Loss/ Engine Knocking on interstate.

Post by gongetya »

*UPDATE*
Just pulled the tank and found that my airbox was wide open.
I cleaned my K&N before the trip and did not secure it back proper
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Re: Dramatic Power Loss/ Engine Knocking on interstate.

Post by Boxer »

I hope you don't use the same reasoning with your medications as you do with fuel injector cleaners. :shock:
gongetya
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Re: Dramatic Power Loss/ Engine Knocking on interstate.

Post by gongetya »

Boxer wrote:I hope you don't use the same reasoning with your medications as you do with fuel injector cleaners. :shock:
Hahahahahahaha!
Ass.
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