Horrible sound after wash

The Velvet Monkey · Post by **The Velvet Monkey** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 11:28 am

I washed the bike yesterday and when I started it up afterward the bike made the most horrible screeching sound for about 30 seconds. Sounded like the engine had no lubrication. While this was going on it kind of smelled funny, too--a burning electrical smell. However, once this was over, the bike ran great.

I was just wondering if anybody else has experience this after washing their R?

Post by **OU812** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 11:30 am

Is it possible you got water on the alt. belt?

Oilhead · Post by **Oilhead** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 11:31 am

Was it perhaps the alternator belt slipping from getting wet?

Post by **towerworker** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 11:45 am

Did you use a pressure washer? Like in a car wash? That will force water into places that best stay dry -- like where the alternator belt is.

My first guess would be the belt got wet. If no more noises than that's most likely it.

The second noise that comes to mind is a hanging starter bendix. That has a nasty screeching sound. That facilitates removing the starter and cleaning out the bendix and gear reductions assembly on the business end of the starter. Not difficult to do -- just be sure to disconnect the negative lead on the battery first.

My .02

Wayne

The Velvet Monkey · Post by **The Velvet Monkey** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 12:01 pm

Thanks for your replies, guys.

I just used a regular hose with a sprayer. The alternator belt is a possibility since there was a lot of road grime and bugs on the cover and I did spend some time cleaning that area.

You guys are great--your responses put my mind to rest.

Post by **GypsyRR** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 1:25 pm

VM -that happens to me too.

I just figured if I asked about it, someone would say "they all do that" so I never asked and just ignore it now. It goes away and doesn't seem to cause any trouble. It's just "squeaky clean".

JohnnyLunchBox · Post by **JohnnyLunchBox** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 7:37 pm

You're supposed to wash these things?

Post by **Biff's R** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 10:50 pm

I usually do not start the bike for a while after warshing it.

Post by **CycleRob** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 11:23 pm

Velvet Monkey,

It sure sounds like a wet & loose alternator belt. When you first start the bike the alternator goes to full output for a few seconds because the battery is looking for a payback after cranking the starter. Add to that any driving lites that also go on. That power requirement makes the alternator much harder to be turned by the engine. A wet, possibly still soapy belt that's a little loose will slip and squeal until the wetness is slung off and dried out so the dry rubber can again grab onto the smooth steel surfaces of both grooved pulleys. The v shaped grooves of the belt tend to hold the water captive longer than any other type of belt, so ~30 seconds on the lo fast idle tells me your belt may be loose & getting looser. The "burning electrical smell" was prolly the soapy water being vaporized. Remove the belt cover and check the belt tension between your thumb and 2 fingers. If you can twist the belt over a quarter turn at a point midway between the pulleys, it's too loose.

You need to check it soon. A loose & slipping belt gets really loose fast, then it gets very hot and fails . . . . far far away from home and a BMW dealer.

.

Ves · Post by **Ves** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 10:30 am

JohnnyLunchBox wrote:You're supposed to wash these things?

Apparently... but I still don't understand why?

The Velvet Monkey · Post by **The Velvet Monkey** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 10:17 pm

CycleRob--you were absolutely right. The belt was loose.

I commute 100 miles a day, so your diagnosis has saved me some serious side-of-the-highway grief.

Thanks so much for your advice.

RRDallas · Post by **RRDallas** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 7:00 am

Speaking of washing, does anyone have any suggestions for technique and materials? I know it is mostly common sense but I would like to keep my '03 looking new, yet I don't want to damage its electrical system or any other part that could be harmed by too much water contact. I have been wiping it down with a damp cloth to keep the dust away but it needs a deeper cleaning. Many thanks, as usual, for your input.

Post by **Beemeridian** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 9:12 am

JohnnyLunchBox · Post by **JohnnyLunchBox** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 11:22 am

General rule of thumb is to use as little water as possible. Couldn't hurt to cover the throttle bodies and muffler opening with plastic bags. Avoid using a high pressure stream of water (even from a normal garden hose), a light spray would be ideal. Avoid spraying water directly on the dash instruments, controls, and ignition area (even better cover those too). I rarely put them away wet, and do a good high-speed (within reason of course) drying run, down my favorite twisty roads. Whatever spots you miss with the wash, touch up with a good waterless cleaner like pledge, honda polish, or plexus. Also a good coat of wax once a year will help the painted parts stay nicey-nice.

Oh and polish your fork sliders. I'm not too familiar with the inner workings of the telelever forks, but on a traditional front end polishing the fork sliders will go a long way towards saving your fork seals.

Post by **Boxer** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 12:46 pm

You gotta be kiddin' me!
I've ridden this bike through some of the most torrential rainstorms I have ever in my 57 years of life, seen...for hours at a time.
Trust me. A water hose will do no harm, unless something else is loose.

JohnnyLunchBox · Post by **JohnnyLunchBox** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 12:59 pm

Boxer, I hear you, but one shouldn't tempt fate. Downpours are not the same as a high pressure/volume stream directed at a component that can really get buggered up with water. Like all things YMMV.

STurch · Post by **STurch** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 1:19 pm

I use one of those brushes that attach to the end of a garden hose and dispenses the liquid carwash of your choice. You can regulate the flow low enough to keep water out of unwanted areas. Also, the soft brush is gentle on paint, keeps clean as water/soap solution flushes through and provides some scrubbing ability. FWIW

Sunbeemer · Post by **Sunbeemer** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 3:57 pm

I spray a watery-non-detergent soap (Blue Coral Car Soap) from a spray bottle onto it and wipe it off with a clean, soft towel. I do the tank, beak and side panels first, then the windshield, instruments, handlebars and seats. I use another rag for the lower (dirtier) engine and driveline parts, and finally the wheels.

When the front brakes start squealing, I blow the calipers out with shop air and wipe the rotors down with a rag dampened with Brakleen, and they are quiet again

Post by **CycleRob** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 4:25 pm

I just looked at my stock black plastic BMW alternator cover and it has 9 vent slots per side on the lower portion of the cover. With a flashlite you can see the belt and edge of the drive pulley. It's not so much water getting in there that can cause slipping & squealing - - - - it's soapy water. Cleaning solvents like engine cleaners can shorten the service life of the belt. Rainwater slinging off the front wheel by the gallons has been fully accounted for by the engineers (you would think

).

The next time my cover is off I'll enlarge the drain hole at bottom center so stones small enough to enter the air cooling slots can easily fall out that drain hole.

.