An oil leak I can't seem to fix...

[Deleted account 210214001]

Hi, everyone,

I have an oil leak on my '02 1150GS-Adv that I can't seem to fix. The left-side cam sprocket cover (#3) is weeping a bit. I originally discovered it when I removed my Stanton head guards to do other maintenance. I replaced the o-ring (#2) and put the Stantons back on. The new o-ring didn't help. I removed the Stantons in case the guards were pushing on the cover somehow; I was planning on selling them and going back to the stock guards anyway. Still no help so I checked for interference between the mount on the stock head guards and part #2, but I don't see any.

The oil level sits smack in the middle of the sight glass. I wondered if it doesn't happen when the bike is on the sidestand for extended periods of time, but I'm not convinced. (Normally I put the bike up on the centerstand when parked for anything longer than, say, 30 minutes.) The leak isn't huge but I don't like my bike leaking fluids if I can help it.

I'm going to remove the stock head guards entirely to see if that helps. In the meantime, is there something else I could be missing? Any ideas?

Thanks,
Bohdan

 

[Joe narvey]

My 1200 just gone back in for new seals again ( they fitted new ones last month that failed). I'm advised there is a problem with seals failing and BMW investigating manufacture faults, etc. I know different bike, but so that you don't eliminate fault seal in your process.

 

[jefformston]

It's easy for the small seal, where the spark plug passes through the cover, to get misaligned when refitting the cover. Worth checking.

 

[fatnfast]

Make up a couple of paper gaskets using item 3 as your pattern.Works a treat, Costs pennies...... or cents for you .

 

[Deleted account 210214001]

It's not the spark plug gasket; the tunnel is completely dry. Anton had a suggestion over on ADVRider. I think he was on the mark. When I removed the cam cover, I found a small step at the mold parting line just like he suggested.

I'll report back here as well after I put on a few miles.

Thanks!
Bohdan

 

[GSBruce]

Anton Largiader is the man. Expert professional who freely shares his knowledge in detail. He's not just on advrider.com, he's posted articles, etc. on his website www.largiader.com . If I were to need (and was able to afford) to rebuild a final drive or transmission, I'd have him do it. If i were in the UK, it would be Steptoe.

Looking forward to your report, gonzomup. Oil leaks are terribly annoying.

 

[Deleted account 210214001]

It seems Anton's suggestion was on the mark. I can't detect any more oil leak.

Bohdan