R1200GS Forum banner

2013 R1200GW LC Water Pump Leak

35K views 34 replies 24 participants last post by  PoppyGreg  
#1 ·
has anybody had a water pump issue? My SECOND pump is leaking after less than 5k:(
 
#3 ·
Not knowing what the water pump looks like or even where it is on the bike. I can only add from experiences with the K1600. Some of the early replacements were just the impeller and the seals. What is actually happening is the impeller and the bearings are wearing and eventually anti-freeze would seep out between the seal and the impeller. In hot weather the pressure would be greater and it would leak faster.
 
#5 ·
waterpump leak 1200 LC

Yup,

My brand new GS 1200 LC had a waterpumpleak at 500km. Pump is replaced in warranty. Now on 2640km, I have a leak again, called the dealer and they ordered already a new pump. They also told me that I'm the only one they know with this problem - hate it!
 
#7 ·
Water Pump

My water pump went out at 1100 miles. On order for mid-November delivery. Everything relating to this is posted on the ADVrider forum
My water pump went after 9000km. In South Africa where is a 2-6 month wait for parts. I've also had other less serious warrenty caims that are still outstanging, waiting for part. I'm now demanding they replace the bike. :mad:
I've had loads of BMW's in the past and never had so many issue. Seriously thinking of going to KTM :mad:
 
#13 ·
water pump leak on 2014GSW

My bike has about 8600 miles on it and the bike has its third water pump in it now and the factory knows about it. they seem to go out at about 3000 miles. Today my ESA will not change preload for me, so Back to the shop soon.
 
#14 ·
water pump leaks now brakes locking

I'm on my third water pump on 2014 1200gsw. they seem to go out at about 3000 miles. this one seems to be holding though. New problem now is rear Brakes totally locked up at 14000 miles for no apparent reason. Warrenty changing out complete rear brake system. At this point I dont think they have any idea what caused it. To get bike home I had to bleed rear caliper to release pressure on the disk and remove the caliper then tie it to the swing arm. I still love the bike but getting tired of waiting for maint.
 
#16 ·
More water pumpleaks

I'm on my third water pump on 2014 1200gsw. they seem to go out at about 3000 miles. this one seems to be holding though. New problem now is rear Brakes totally locked up at 14000 miles for no apparent reason. Warrenty changing out complete rear brake system. At this point I dont think they have any idea what caused it. To get bike home I had to bleed rear caliper to release pressure on the disk and remove the caliper then tie it to the swing arm. I still love the bike but getting tired of waiting for maint.
Waterpump has now gone out 4 times 2014 R1200 GS. BMW now taking measurements and photos, they do not want to replace it again until they find a cause. We are now negotiating a buy back of the motorcycle. I see a Suzuki V Strom in my future. I have owned too many problematic BMW motorcycles. I think I am done
 
#20 ·
2014 GS1200LCADV-Water pump leak

My bikes got 4400km , had a great 300km run on Sunday in very
hot weather +_32C and after arriving home and my bike cooled down
noticed 10cm puddle of blue liquid on the garage floor.
I spoke to the mechanic at the local BMW dealership and they seem to be
downplaying it as something that will go away , I know from work experience that mechanical seals don't leak and I am worried to say the least!!!!
 
#21 ·
too hot

I rode home last week around Sydney, and the temp gauge read 45.5c

2010 oil/air cooled.

I am still not convinced this bike is anywhere near sorted, and as such, I won't buy one.
 
#23 · (Edited)
More BMW water pump woes...

About 1/3 into this article...

http://www.cbc.ca/m/news/canada/bmw...bmw-s-mini-coopers-labelled-junk-as-owner-hit-with-10k-engine-repairs-1.2948855

"One $85-million US lawsuit alleges BMW failed to notify consumers about a design defect that could cause water pumps to fail in thousands of 2007-13 Mini Coopers. That class action is pending court approval and involves the water pump that wasn't recalled. BMW denies the allegations."

I realize this is on the MINI side of BMW, but when I read it, I immediately thought of the R1200GS water pump issues...

If BMW is willing to pay for 60% of the repair bill, why not just pay it all and get some inexpensive good PR advertising? I mean c'mon, BMW is a huge, very profitable company. What's an extra 4 Grand?????? Seriously!!!
 
#24 · (Edited)
What about the 2015?

I'm about to pick up a 2015 GSW. Anyone know if the pump issue has been resolved for the '15 models? I sure as hell hope so!
Are these reported leaks of a minor nature that could be remedied by adding a small amount of coolant in the field, or are they the type that causes you to phone a tow truck?
 
#25 ·
I'm about to pick up a 2015 GSW. Anyone know if the pump issue has been resolved for the '15 models? I sure as hell hope so!
Are these reported leaks of a minor nature that could be remedied by adding a small amount of coolant in the field, or are they the type that causes you to phone a tow truck?
It appears hit and miss. Most will not have an issue, a few will. They do not catastrophically fail, the leak, and leak slowly. I wouldn't let this small potential issue stop you from buying the bike. Warranty will cover it if it leaks.
 
#32 ·
It sounds like the water pumps on the GS are made by the same guys who make the pump on the K1600. I've owned 3 K16 bikes and two of them had drips from the water pumps. I still own the third one, a 2015 GT with 12,000 miles now, and no leak so far.

The leaks on the previous two bikes were extremely minor, and probably wouldn't have been noticed if they didn't drip onto the exhaust heat shield and leave blue spots that were easy to see. The coolant level never dropped enough to see, even after several thousand miles. In fact, the drip seemed to stop after a while, so maybe it's just a matter of the seal bedding in.

Anyway, I had heard that some of the GS bikes were having water pump leaks but it didn't stop me from buying one. The leaks were a non-issue on the K bikes since they were so minor, so I'm not concerned about a similar situation on the GS.

I admit a water leak on a new expensive bike seems alarming, and BMW needs to address the issue, but I bet that if they didn't use coolant with blue dye that makes even a single drip very visible, the leaks would be so minor that nobody would even be aware of them.
 
#34 ·
water leak

18,000mi on 2013 GS, leaking water replaced pump traded at 39000mi no leaks. Bought 2015GS 12,000mi, leak, waiting on parts. Leaking happens above 80 degF in city traffic. drive all year in Phoenix gets to 115f at times.
 
#35 · (Edited)
What's he obsession with liquid cooling anyway?

*the
Got by without it for a hundred years or so...
More bits, more weight, more things that can go wrong. 39C two up on the '10 for 4 hours. No issue. Only bike I've ever had overheat was my 88 K100LT. Water cooled......