K11 Owners Group

bikesnbones · Big Brick Rider Joined: 03 Aug 2014 Posts: 74

My K1100RS has run perfectly over the last 4,000 miles since I got it.
So today, I was tanking it down the highway.
Yes , I was travelling at high speed, probably the fastest I've ever been on it, but not at it's top speed.
Suddenly I smelt burning, and the bike was running rough.
I limped back home, and found coolant residue around the L/H side, around the exhaust heat shield, and back over the silencer.
No drop in coolant level, so must have been a small about.
Also found that number 2 cylinder is not running.
I took the plug out, and was greeted with the horrible sight you will see below.

Changed the plug, still not firing on number 2.
Checked for spark, which is present.
When this happened, the temp gauge read normal, and continued to do so on the way home, so no overheating.
Any idea's
Sad

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 3:29 pm Post subject:

Does that cylinder have compression?
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

bikesnbones · Big Brick Rider Joined: 03 Aug 2014 Posts: 74

whyoldbill · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 3:53 pm Post subject:

Not sure where you are, but around here one can borrow a compression tester from AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts or O'Reilly Autoparts

If you're in the central ohio area, shoot me a PM, you can borrow mine and my leak-down tester.
_________________
'02 - GL1800

The desired effect is what you get when you improve your interplanetary funksmanship - George Clinton

bikesnbones · Big Brick Rider Joined: 03 Aug 2014 Posts: 74

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 5:06 pm Post subject:

What does your engine oil look like?

What does the coolant look like?

If you run the engine with the "bad" spark plug removed, does anything come out the plug hole?

This is unrelated to the above, but while it is not that common, K bikes have been known to burn valves.
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

bikesnbones · Big Brick Rider Joined: 03 Aug 2014 Posts: 74

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 6:12 pm Post subject:

The K engine is more likely to burn a valve than blow a head gasket. NOT impossible, but less likely.
I had 2 cyl go dead at the same time and I thought head gasket as they were #2 and #3 , but noooooo, not the gasket. 2 burnt valve at the same time... how uncommon can that be.

As far as compression testing, if you borrow one, make sure it has the smaller 12mm adapter. In the states, it doesn't appear to be a common size as I had to order a tester with more accessories in order to get the smaller thread size for the K-bike.
It may be more common in the UK.
_________________
Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 6:15 pm Post subject:

You can run the engine with that spark plug out- no harm will occur.
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 6:17 pm Post subject:

You might consider pulling all the other plugs and see what they look like. Especially #3 as it shares the same coil as #2.
_________________
Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 6:27 pm Post subject:

Going with Scott's thought- you might find some nearby BMW or Mini owner or club that would have a compression tester to borrow.

Being in the UK, you might know that K11 cylinder heads are a valued mod for the original Mini. Apparently with a few additional parts and some machining a K11 head provides a significant power increase that is sought by Mini enthusiasts.
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

bikesnbones · Big Brick Rider Joined: 03 Aug 2014 Posts: 74

Thanks for all the input.
I shall try those suggestions.
To be honest, I did remove all the spark plugs, and replaced them, because I was convinced that the problem lay with the plug from cylinder 2.
Stupidly, I did not keep a note of which one came from which cylinder.
One of them did look a bit rough, although not nearly as bad as the one from cylinder 2.
Sadly, I think I've done as much as I can, and it looks like she's got to go into the garage.
I guess I was just hoping someone might point me towards something really simple, like when something similar happened to an XS1100 I owned in the 80's, which turned out to be a broken down HT leadbut I think I was being overly optimistic.
Someone did suggest to me sourcing another engine as it may work out cheaper, but I just can't.
I have already decided that whatever it costs, I will just bite the bullet and have it repaired.
I can ill afford it, but such is my sentimental attachment to the old girl.
Sad

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 7:41 pm Post subject:

What Scott and I suspect (with what we are able to with limited info) will not be a disaster.

After a mechanic diagnoses the problem (if it is a burned valve- it is not a huge job) you can assess what to do.

Let us know how things go.
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

BMGraeme · Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2015 3:17 am Post subject:

Where abouts in the UK are you?
_________________
1980 CB900FA
1994 K1100RS
2008 R1200GSA

bikesnbones · Big Brick Rider Joined: 03 Aug 2014 Posts: 74

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2015 2:32 pm Post subject:

One way that might help diagnose your problem-

Remove all 4 spark plugs.

1) Use the starter to crank the engine, listening to the sound.

2) Install 1 spark plug into a "good" cylinder but don't attach the wire. Crank the engine again. It should sound slightly different, slightly slower.

3) Remove that plug and put one in the bad cylinder, again without the wire attached. Crank the engine. Does it sound more like #1 or #2?
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

bikesnbones · Big Brick Rider Joined: 03 Aug 2014 Posts: 74

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2015 9:45 pm Post subject:

The bore's on the 1100's are pretty robust since they increase/improved the nikasel (however it is spelled) treatment over the older 2v bikes.
Not saying that they can't be scored, but it would take quite a bit.
_________________
Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

Inge K. · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 6:23 am Post subject:

Mike d · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 2:21 pm Post subject:

Are you in the UK BMW Club?

They have a tool hire facility, which includes a compression tester and correct adapter for the K bikes.

Mike