4/1/2021

11 04 21_BLUE SMOKE FROM THE LEFT EXHAUST AFTER A COLD START

SIB 11 04 21
BLUE SMOKE FROM THE LEFT EXHAUST AFTER A COLD START

2021-03-29

This Service Information Bulletin replaces Measure 65508369-02 dated March 2021.

MODEL
Model
K34

Model Description
R18

Production Date
August 1, 2020 – November 14,
2020

SITUATION
Considerable amount of blue smoke visible from the left-rear exhaust pipe when starting the engine,
especially after a cold start.
Residual oil on the cylinder surface is sucked into the combustion chamber when stationary on the side
stand.
The amount of oil that can get sucked into the combustion chamber varies depending on the position of the
piston and the piston ring, but even the slightest amounts of oil in the combustion chamber could cause
considerable smoking after engine-start.
Although this behavior is not a fault and will not cause excessive wear, it may lead to uncertainty among
some customers.

CORRECTION
Motorcycles manufactured after November 14, 2020 have modified pistons installed from the factory.

PROCEDURE
In case of a customer complaint, replace the left piston using part and labor information below.

PARTS INFORMATION
Obtain and confirm the part numbers for your specific vehicle by entering the chassis number in ETK which
takes into account specific equipment and/or options.
Additional parts like gaskets, hardware and chemicals may be required for the complete repair; Please refer
to the repair instructions in AIR for more details.
Part Number
11 11 7 925 331

Piston

WARRANTY INFORMATION
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Motorcycles, if applicable.
Defect code
11 00 02 98 00

Engine, blue smoke not satisfactory

Copyright ©2021 MOTORRAD USA, a division of BMW of North America, LLC. All Rights Reserved
1/2

4/1/2021

Labor Operation
11 25 033
+11 25 675
46 52 510

11 04 21_BLUE SMOKE FROM THE LEFT EXHAUST AFTER A COLD START

Replacing left piston
Replacing left piston
Removing and installing the rear-wheel stand
special tool (for motorcycles without center stand)

22 FRU
21 FRU
1 FRU

FRUs includes all repair procedures to complete the task with allowance for necessary ancillary tasks (e.g.,
visual inspection, lubrication, cleaning parts etc.) and administrative tasks.
Labor operation code 11 25 033 is a Main labor operation. If you are using a Main labor code for another
repair, use the Plus code labor operation instead.

QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS BULLETIN
Technical inquiries
Warranty inquiries
Parts inquiries

Contact the BMW Technical Support Group via TSARA
Submit an IDS ticket to the Warranty Department
Submit an IDS ticket to the Motorrad Parts Department

Supporting Materials
picture_as_pdf 11 04 21 R18 Blue smoke from the left exhaust after a cold start.pdf

Copyright ©2021 MOTORRAD USA, a division of BMW of North America, LLC. All Rights Reserved
2/2

Service Information Bulletin
Engine

March 29, 2021
11 04 21

BLUE SMOKE FROM THE LEFT EXHAUST AFTER
A COLD START
This Service Information Bulletin replaces Measure 65508369-02 dated March 2021.

MODEL
Model
K34

Model Description
R18

Production Date
August 1, 2020 – November 14, 2020

SITUATION
Considerable amount of blue smoke visible from the left-rear exhaust pipe when starting the engine,
especially after a cold start.
Residual oil on the cylinder surface is sucked into the combustion chamber when stationary on the
side stand.
The amount of oil that can get sucked into the combustion chamber varies depending on the position
of the piston and the piston ring, but even the slightest amounts of oil in the combustion chamber
could cause considerable smoking after engine-start.
Although this behavior is not a fault and will not cause excessive wear, it may lead to uncertainty
among some customers.

CORRECTION
Motorcycles manufactured after November 14, 2020 have modified pistons installed from the factory.

PROCEDURE
In case of a customer complaint, replace the left piston using part and labor information below.

PARTS INFORMATION
Obtain and confirm the part numbers for your specific vehicle by entering the chassis number in ETK
which takes into account specific equipment and/or options.
Additional parts like gaskets, hardware and chemicals may be required for the complete repair; Please
refer to the repair instructions in AIR for more details.
Part Number
11 11 7 925 331

Piston

WARRANTY INFORMATION
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Motorcycles, if applicable.
© 2021, BMW of North America, LLC. The contents of this document are confidential and should not be shared with third
parties for distribution. All pricing subject to change.
Page | 1

Defect code
11 00 02 98 00
Labor Operation
11 25 033
+11 25 675
46 52 510

Engine, blue smoke not satisfactory
Replacing left piston
Replacing left piston
Removing and installing the rear-wheel stand special
tool (for motorcycles without center stand)

22 FRU
21 FRU
1 FRU

FRUs includes all repair procedures to complete the task with allowance for necessary ancillary tasks
(e.g., visual inspection, lubrication, cleaning parts etc.) and administrative tasks.
Labor operation code 11 25 033 is a Main labor operation. If you are using a Main labor code for
another repair, use the Plus code labor operation instead.

QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS BULLETIN
Technical inquiries
Warranty inquiries
Parts inquiries

Contact the BMW Technical Support Group via TSARA
Submit an IDS ticket to the Warranty Department
Submit an IDS ticket to the Motorrad Parts Department

© 2021, BMW of North America, LLC. The contents of this document are confidential and should not be shared with third
parties for distribution. All pricing subject to change.
Page | 2