The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: chrisr65ls on June 17, 2015, 12:04:20 AM

Title: Help, Bloody thing won't start!
Post by: chrisr65ls on June 17, 2015, 12:04:20 AM
Will fire after turning over and over and run for 5 seconds then dies. I've cleaned the needle and seat as well as drained fuel etc. Also have oil (I think) coming out of tube that sticks out of airbox. So much that I've noticed it dripping out where the mufflers meet the headers.
Would much prefer to fix it myself as opposed to taking it to a mechanic.
Any help greatly appreciated. >:(
Title: Re: Help, Bloody thing won't start!
Post by: Tony Smith on June 17, 2015, 12:32:33 AM
That it runs suggests a fuel rather than electrical problem (but see Monte's mantra on that topic).


First things first

Is there fuel in the tank
If so, pull fuel line from tank and turn tap on, did your boots get wet (Do not smoke for this procedure).
If fuel on boots then remove float bowls - is there water in there?
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If the fuel system looks OK, then it is electrical (absent something left field like a swarm of African bees taking up residence in your air-cleaner)


Remove spark plus, reconnect to plug caps and lay on cylinders
Crank engine - do we have spark, perhaps even an almighty whoosh when unburnt fuel and air is pumped out of spark-plug holes.
After changing underwear (if necessary) and depending on whether bike is fitted with points of electronic ignition, wither turn over by hand and note when spark occurs - is it within cooeee of correct timing?

If no spark, weak spark or spark in wrong place, take beer as required and come back here and report results.
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Title: Re: Help, Bloody thing won't start!
Post by: thrang on June 17, 2015, 02:57:33 AM
Do everything that Tony has said, and not wanting to sound like I'm suggesting you are an idiot, (because this is another of my early cock up's with my R65 when I was a herbal driven student) but you did connect the cables the right way round, and not like I did choke to throttle....
Title: Re: Help, Bloody thing won't start!
Post by: chrisr65ls on June 17, 2015, 06:15:28 AM
Got spark'and no worries with fuel. Flows well and floats working in carbs. There was a bit of crap when I cleaned carbs out but cleaning them hasn't made a difference.  :-[
Title: Re: Help, Bloody thing won't start!
Post by: Barry on June 17, 2015, 06:36:25 AM
What's the history ?

Is this a bike that has run well and suddenly won't start (implying a fault has occurred) or  has it never started in it's current configuration.

I've always found that bikes used regularly start on the button and even though nothing has change those used infrequently can be a pig to start. That can be stale fuel and fouled plugs so is the fuel fresh and are the plugs clean.
Title: Re: Help, Bloody thing won't start!
Post by: chrisr65ls on June 17, 2015, 07:43:28 PM
I've checked the plugs and replaced the fuel. I hadn't started the bike for about 4 weeks but was going well before that. Has always started first pop. i might have to relent and take it to a pro. :'(
Title: Re: Help, Bloody thing won't start!
Post by: nhmaf on June 17, 2015, 09:33:42 PM
You have alot of oil coming out the crankcase breather pipe?

Check your "oil" level first before doing anything else.  If it is higher than it was when you last filled it with oil, you've got a mixture of gasoline sloshing around in there and need to drain and replace your oil and filter immediately before trying to run the engine anymore.

If the oil level is still at normal level...   along with the things mentioned above make sure that your valves are properly adjusted.   If you take the plugs out after trying to start it - are they wet with fuel?   Is either of them fouled?
Title: Re: Help, Bloody thing won't start!
Post by: chrisr65ls on June 18, 2015, 07:25:17 PM
Oil level is good and yes, the plugs are wet with fuel. Neither is fouled.
Title: Re: Help, Bloody thing won't start!
Post by: Barry on June 19, 2015, 06:32:33 AM
If the plugs are wet do the old trick and heat the firing end of plugs up a little in a gas flame before putting them back in.
Never fails.