BMW shops/mechanic in Mexico?
 

Hi,

I am currently around 300km west from Hermosillo (in Yecora) in Mexico.
My 1200GS has started to make some noise from the front of the engine and now I need to try to get to a garage who knows something about BMWs (and can order parts.

So, does anyone know BMW shop/mechanic in west coast of Mexico, preferably north from Mazatlan?

Possibly your alternator. It can jam and the belt snaps or slips so much it shreds it. Take the plastic cover off (very easy) and have a look.

If the belt snaps the battery light will come on and you'll be draining your battery to run the bike. Won't last long. 100 miles if you're lucky.

Your oil level okay too. That can cause a rattle. 1200's are know to leak oil from the sight glass window and also the cam chain tensioner bolts.

Hi Ted,
Originally I was thinking alternator bearing, but I took the cover off and checked that it rotates without any problems.
Belt was changed around 20 000km ago and do not show any problems.

Oil level is close to upper mark.

I am actually just making short video where this sound can be heard. As soon as it is ready, I will post link over here.

Here is now this video of a "whining" sound from the engine (bike is 2005 R1200GS, now a bit over 300 000km):

https://vimeo.com/113128578

Sounds like a 1200GS to me......

I'm not sure if the video doesn't do the noise justice but I can't hear anything that I'd be overly worried about.

Obviously, you've got 300,000KM so you're engine is well broken in now haha.

I can hear cam chain noise which is normal at that mileage.

Apart from that, I can't suggest anything which wouldn't require some serious disassembly for inspection.

I would at least have your valve clearance checked and a new set of plugs. See if that sorts it.

Are you burning any oil ??


And you're sure it's nothing simple like fairing, luggage racks, tank mounts etc etc. ?

Thanks Ted,

I think this whining noise is not so clear in the video, but main thing is that it is not rattling.
Should be just broken inn, I expect that engine should last still 200,000km :)
OK, I will check the clearance and get plugs when I reach BMW shop.

She burns a bit of oil, but exhaust fumes are still totally clear, even at higher rpms.

I am 99% sure that it is nothing else, but maybe need to stop for a day or two and see it completely through.

Problem found! :clap: Cause for the noise is alternator. Without belt, engine sounds normal.
Now I need to see how to dismantle that alternator so that I can do temporary fix and get to a coast to a bigger town (where I could order new alternator).

Anyone knows a webpage where is instructions how to dismantle it?

Bearings were completely busted and casing cracked (which I think cracked in Indonesia where I had accident).

Tomorrow trying to use local mechanic to replace bearings and weld the casing. :scooter:

I would get a replacement alternator.

Repairs rarely work or last....

Yes, I agree. Just need to get it working so that I can get to a bigger town and order replacement there.

There is a shop in Jalisco that has used BMW parts. Google BMW deshuesador Mexico.

Thanks for the info. I already ordered refurbished alternator from US. Should arrive early next week to a hostel in Guadalajara.

Even my "fixed" alternator seems to work, I just do not trust it enough to go much further south. If it breaks, then it will break somewhere middle of nowhere... Of course I could carry extra bearings, but...

Hello Hemuli,

in the case you need some mechanical help in Guadalajara. I know a very good BMW mechanic. He is a way cheaper than the original BMW dealership/workshop and works since many many years only on BMWs.

And, if you come to Puerto Vallarta which is on the pacific coast, about 320 km away from Guadalajara. Send me a message. We have always rooms for travellers. bier

Stay safe and enjoy your trip.

Saludos Jürgen

Thanks Jürgen!

I am fine, just thinking if I should get front wheel dust seals (on top of bearings) as a spare...
I am not sure which way I am going, but if I am coming to that direction I will send you a message. Thank you for the invitation! :D

-Hemuli

Just take the seals into any decent little bearing shop and if they don't have them, they will get them within a day or so. I've never bought a seal from a BMW dealer, they'll charge you about a 1,000% mark up. I think you know this but just passing it along. Same for bearings, you'll find a good selection at any bearing shop, better quality than what Spandau will sell you.:thumbup1:
If you come over to the other side on the Gulf coast, there is an excellent factory trained independent BMW mechanic in Veracruz. Rafa, from Spain, owns Motopits and he rides too.bier

Thanks MikeMike,
I am sure this works in Mexico, but I am thinking ahead to south-America. I am not sure how fast they can get these seals? Are they standard ones?
Bearings I will get somewhere else, no need to pay extra just to get them packaged to BMW cardboard (same with spark plugs).

I do not know my route yet, but I think I will ride to Yucatan at some point.

-Hemuli

Personally, I have yet to see a seal that couldn't be sourced some place other than the Motorrad dealer.
When I did the seals and bearings on my bike a couple of years ago, I paid about 10% of what the local BMW dealer, VECSA in Veracruz wanted.
Shortly after that, the dealer VECSA began a new policy that their one mechanic, who was not factory trained at the time, cannot install any parts or accessories that are not bought through the dealer.
The only decent mechanic they had, Carlos, left before the new policy was instituted.
This is indicative of the type of service you will find at most BMW dealers in Mexico.
A good independent factory trained BMW mechanic with a GS-911 code reader can do almost everything short of flashing in software upgrades but BMW limits you anyways with those.