2005 BMW K 1200 S Logo
Posted on Mar 12, 2010
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Overheating when I come to traffic my BMW k1200s starts overheating . it only has 23k miles. 2005 model. is it the thermostats. I noticed fluid was low added so e but still have same problems. weather is in the 60

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Eyvind Mondragon

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  • Posted on Mar 31, 2014
Eyvind Mondragon
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Just had the same happened to my K1200S. About 11K mi.
Assuming you didn't blow a gasket, or cracked a cyl-head. My problem was the lid of the thermostat was blown open.
If you only refill in the overflow tank, that's not filling up the cooling system. These bikes use a vacuum pump, and a bleeding procedure (check a nipple on the water pump to purge air) to remove all air bubbles.
Very likely you have an air bubble in your system and it's preventing the pump from priming (get filled with water so it pumps). So right now, it might just be spinning in an air bubble, instead of pushing coolant.
Here's the cheap version (other than preferably going to a dealer and being robbed).
Take the thermostat lid off. Careful. The thermostat has a spring that eager to jump out. Make sure the thermostat is in place. It's very, very hard to put the lid back in place (o-ring and thermostat conspire against easy). This is done to check the thermostat, but also and very importantly to prime the pump.
If you don't want to do it, it's ok. Let's go further.
Open the radiator cap (use long pliers, it's hard with your hands). Very likely it's needing coolant. Fill up.
Fill the reservoir.
Start the engine. as it heats up, use a 11-mm wrench (I think it's 11). and open the water pump nipple to let air out. When the pump is primed and properly working, nothing but a steady stream of coolant should come out. If you have steam or air coming out, you still have air bubble.
Stop the engine. Tilt the whole bike to the right, and fill the reservoir. Make sure you want until the coolant is cool before you do this (about 20-mins). Start for about 10 secs with the bike tilted.
Tilt the bike to the left, and refill the radiator.
Now turn on the bike and purge the water pump until nothing but a steady stream of coolant comes out.
You can declare victory, when the temp indicator stays 2 bars below the mid mark.
Let me know if this helped. (check also i-bmw.com)

  • Eric S Alblinger
    Eric S Alblinger May 25, 2022

    This advice for my 2006 K1200R helped my overheating issue and got me on the right track. I know the bike sat for several years before I recently purchased it and even after I flushed and filled with coolant it continued to run hot when idling in my garage. I found that the air bleeder nipple was clogged with some dry sediment. Once I cleaned that debris out I was able to properly burp the air out and the water pump was primed. Coolant streamed out the nipple as it is supposed to. Thanks so much for your post!

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  • Posted on Mar 12, 2010
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Check fluid levels, could be your thermostat or water pump. check oil. its probably your water pump or thermostat...could be blocked radiator. For bikes they have this ICE coolant you can get at a motorcycle and atv shop, it might help :) fix these problems before you keep riding or you are going to blow a ghead gasket, SPENDY :)

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