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G650GS starting issues

292K views 871 replies 89 participants last post by  WayneC 
#1 · (Edited)
G650GS starting issues (bad valve decompression lever)

My newish bike starts perfectly every time when cold and runs perfectly as well.

There is a slight issue when the bike is warm/hot. When I hit the starter the engine swings over but its almost as if the compression is too much for the starter and it stops turning over before it fires. (Similar symptoms to the battery being flat). It sometimes does this several times before it fires up.

The battery has been checked and is fine.

To overcome this I either turn off the ignition and try again, or (on the advice of the BMW service guy) open the throttle a little and try again. It always starts eventually, but its a bit embarrassing on the petrol forecourt etc.

Apparently there is an automatic decompression valve in the engine and this may be part of the problem.

BMW have offered to take it in and investigate, but first I'd like to know if anyone else has similar issues and is it a family trait?
 
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#9 ·
Have just been out for a ride and even with meticulous attention to the starting process, its still won't start when hot.

It turns over about once or twice before it seems to be beaten by the engine compression and stops turning over (let alone firing).

So at present with this mini survey we have a 50/50 split.

Hi Dizz
I know you were having bigger problems than me. Are you booked in to have BMW take a look?
 
#12 · (Edited)
Hi Dizz
I know you were having bigger problems than me. Are you booked in to have BMW take a look?
Hi Bumpy
Nice to see you Sunday, I'm waiting for its first service but I made BMW Hertford well aware of the problem at the Bikefest Sunday so they have been notified but after not PDI-ing it properly when I picked it up from the dealers (left the clutch cable adjuster locking nut undone so by the time I'd got half way home I had no clutch - call out No1 BMW Breakdown must be a record 17mls on clock half hour old!)
I'm not holding my breath for good outcome but who knows I'm hoping its going to be seen by a different competent mechanic so a least I can get it home without it breaking down. I have only done 400mls so far so only filled up twice and each time it was a pig to start, the last time on Sunday and as I said I gave up and called BMW Breakdown (Call out No2) only to get it to start half an hour later however no probs. leaving the show!

It beats me whats wrong but in another 50mls I'm going to have to fill up again and I'm dreading it!.
Dizzxx
 
#11 ·
Can I ask a small favour of those with the problem. Can you get it logged at your dealer (easy at the first service). I dont think its a big mechanical issue but the feedback may prompt BMW to look at the engine management maps.

My dealer said he was not aware of any others, so this may help to put it on their radar.

Thanks
 
#15 ·
Hi All,

Another one for the stats. My G is just 967km old and no suggestion of starting issues hot or cold.
I just wait for the check process to complete and without turning the throttle just engage the starter.

Great bike!
Flyingphil
Oz:wave:
Thanks Flyingphil

I'm sure it's something simple that needs tweaking

Numbers now stand at:

People with problem 3
People with no problem 3
 
#20 ·
Apparently this problem only occurs with the 2010 G650GS. As a new owner and a motorbike rookie, I was having the same issues and took it back to the dealer. The head guy listened to my story, looked at the bike and said this has been a problem for the 2010 model and BMW covers it under warranty (he has fixed a heap of the 2010 models for the same problem). Something to do with the engine pressure when warm. It is an easy fix, however getting the parts is a problem due to a lot of bikes requiring the work to be done and some manufacturing issues around making the part.
 
#21 · (Edited)
Thanks Green Frog for a very informative post. I love the Internet.

The problem of too much pressure is exactly the right description. The engine spins over happily till it gets to the compression stroke then just stops as if it doesn't have enough power to make it over the top. Years ago I believe they used to fit big singles with valve decompressors or advance/retard levers to get over this. I am guessing BMW have something similar but its probably electronic.

At least 2 of the bikes here are 2011 models but of course we are in a different country to you.

I am guessing my BMW dealer is going to default to the normal "BMW have never heard of this problem, and we should all ignore Internet chat.";Um:

Is there any chance you could ask your dealer for the technical description of what they replaced and if possible the main part number.

That would help a fair number of us in the UK with the issue.:thumb::thumb:
 
#22 ·
My dealer tells me that bikes in Australia will be set up differently to those in the UK due to different emission laws, so any findings on Australian bikes cannot necessarily be transcribed to UK models. To his credit he is going to put the problem to BMW and see if he gets a response.

When describing this fault to people they immediately assume the bike spins over but wont fire - its very difficult getting them to understand that its a problem with the starter motor unable to ovecome the engines compression.

BTW I did learn that the G650GS engine has to complete two full revolutions (exhaust stroke and compression stroke) before the on-board intelligence system allows the ignition to fire it up. This is why the single cranks over longer than other BMWs before it fires up.
 
#23 ·
OK, looks like we are getting somewhere.

BMW are aware of an issue and are to fit new parts under warantee. They are fitting a new exhaust cam shaft and compensating weight (whatever that is?) and the job could take a couple of days.

It goes in next Tuesday and I will let you know the outcome.
 
#24 ·
Hi All
Bumpy just to let you know after whats been said on here I contacted the dealer (I was going to leave it until first service) he said BMW knew nothing of the problem but when I mentioned that I had been speaking to yourself (and they know who you are HA HA) I've been told that they will let me know what the BMW Tech says and call me in to see the bike early. I told them that the 17mls to the Dealership would not be long enough to produce the problem so looks like I'll have to go for a bimble before hand AH well its a hard life any excuse eh! I'll let you know the outcome Dizzxxx
 
#25 · (Edited)
WOOHOO Just as I was reading your post got a call from BMW and yes I got the parts on order for me too! apparently 1 part is in Germany and the other they can't find so could be awhile and as its a big job could take a few days - but get this they are only going to lend me a 1200GS lowered but I think I'll pass, boy could I get in trouble with one of them!
Result thanx all Dizzxxx
 
#27 ·
1500 miles on mine and only had a non start, once. The engine was hot at the time. Left the bike for a minute before trying again, fired up first time. Mostly use my bike for commuting tho so nearly always a cold start. Seems as tho its a quirk of the bike. Still loving it !
 
#28 ·
Just shows the power of the forum in gathering all the info from not only the Uk but worldwide :)
Sounds like the decompression mechanism is not 'engaging' when engine warmed up (cold starts are OK) BMW seem to have identified this and appears be a 'mechanical' and electrionic modification to over come this.
 
#31 ·
Lovely day and as far as I was aware no stops mid journey so no hot start problem to worry about, so a safe bet to take Olly for a ride - Bike gear on quite liking the idea of a long ride to work through the country go to start the bike NOTHING, NADA, ZILCH, BUGGER ALL. It turns over but no start tried for 20mins or so but battery note beginning to change so stopped trying. There is petrol in it, it was last used last Friday but couldn't get it started again after a brief stop and took me over half an hour to get it going again but that was with a generous amount of throttle which I would not normally do but I was starting to lose my temper. The dairy is really wearing off with this machine I'm really beginning to think I made a huge mistake buying new, does anyone know at what point I just say to the dealer enough is enough because if it won't start cold, I can't trust it to get me home if I have to stop mid journey I can't see the point in keeping it.
A very sad Dizz
 
#32 ·
I would wait until they've tried the fix for which they've already ordered the parts. If it's still unreliable after that, then give them notice that it's not fit for purpose (as it must be under the Sale of Goods Act) and you want it replaced or a refund.


TJ
 
#33 · (Edited)
Oh dear, sounds like your problems are a great deal worse than mine. I've never been stranded either with the bike hot or cold

I would keep calling out the Dealer. That should engourage them to do something about it.

Parts should arrived for mine and it goes in next Weds. Hopefully yours should be soon after.

It will be worth it in the end.

Cheers Chris

PS
Saw your bike in the Dealers today (Saturday afternoon). Looked out for you but no luck.
 
#34 ·
My bike (1000 miles) just started doing this yesterday, cold and hot but worse when hot. Was a good few minutes at the petrol station this morning trying to get it going again, very embarrassing and it makes me not want to take the bike out :-( I was laning yesterday and wanted to stop for pics but didn't want to risk stopping the engine in the middle of nowhere.

As well as that, my clock and trips reset to zero whenever the bike is turned off too so I'll have to take it in, it also does an extended pre start check, I'm half way up the road before it's done!
 
#35 ·
My bike (1000 miles) just started doing this yesterday, cold and hot but worse when hot. Was a good few minutes at the petrol station this morning trying to get it going again, very embarrassing and it makes me not want to take the bike out :-( I was laning yesterday and wanted to stop for pics but didn't want to risk stopping the engine in the middle of nowhere.

As well as that, my clock and trips reset to zero whenever the bike is turned off too so I'll have to take it in, it also does an extended pre start check, I'm half way up the road before it's done!
Wow, sounds like your bike is brain damaged:?.

If its any comfort I have never been stranded. Just turn the ignition off, then back on, open the throttle a bit and try again.

Good luck.

My bike was due in on Weds of this week. The two main parts originally ordered had arrived OK but belatedly BMW decided that they also need to fit a spring and something else. Parts are awaited from Germany.
 
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#39 ·
Ok, bit of an update.

Bike went in on Monday 17th for new camshaft and coupled counterweight to sort out the hot starting problem and a week and a half later it is still stuck at the dealers.

They fitted the parts on that Monday and now it wont start at all.

BMW UK and Germany are trying, so far unsuccessfully, to sort it.

Is anyone else stuck with this issue?
 
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