Silly question but, whats behind the front engine cover on a 1200GS engine? I have oil in my bash plate, not a huge amount but it doesn't appear to be coming from Sump plug or oil filter so could it come from anywhere else?
Behind the Front engine cover
- Thread starter ianran
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Silly question but, whats behind the front engine cover on a 1200GS engine? I have oil in my bash plate, not a huge amount but it doesn't appear to be coming from Sump plug or oil filter so could it come from anywhere else?
Corroded Drain plug washer ??
Incorrectly fitted oil filter It is possible to leave the rubber ring on the face of teh engine and fit the new filter with it's ring ??
Front cover
Maybe Sight Glass ?/
Or Maybe the balancer shaft below the clutch
Dr Farkoff, thanks for the pickies, Ibve cleaned it up and checked everythings torqued correctly so will mointor. The leak does appear to be at the front of the engine,I will have a look later. Never had it before from there and this is my fifth GS!
You would be surprised what the road salt will do to an alloy sump washer
Just put a clean catch tank under it and undo it and catch the oil check the washer replace if need be and bung the oil back in
The front cover may rot on the 12's but the seal seems pretty good between the faces
Just put a clean catch tank under it and undo it and catch the oil check the washer replace if need be and bung the oil back in
The front cover may rot on the 12's but the seal seems pretty good between the faces
Bendy toy
Registered user
If the cover has rotted through it would have to be seriously scabby with gravel rash. 
If the cover has rotted through it would have to be seriously scabby with gravel rash.
61 plate bike so rot not set in yet!!
You would be surprised what the road salt will do to an alloy sump washer
Just put a clean catch tank under it and undo it and catch the oil check the washer replace if need be and bung the oil back in
The front cover may rot on the 12's but the seal seems pretty good between the faces
Does seem to be likely subject but oil is around the front of the engine around the bottom of the front cover. Trouble is gauging how much there is, it has a habit of looking way worse than it really is!! It did weep from the filler hole for a while so may have dribbled down. Mind oil level seems a bit high now! was half way down sight glass when it was last changed so may drain a bit out anyway
Front timing cover is metal to metal with RTV sealant for a gasket. Perhaps your isn't very well sealed??
You would be surprised what the road salt will do to an alloy sump washer
Just put a clean catch tank under it and undo it and catch the oil check the washer replace if need be and bung the oil back in
The front cover may rot on the 12's but the seal seems pretty good between the faces
Why don't BMW use copper crush washers for the drain plug seal? Can you get copper washers of the correct diameter and use them?
Because they use Aluminium, which is much cheaper as a raw material and performs admirably between services.
Renew the washer at each service, they are only a few pence each. Even I'm not that tight!
Renew the washer at each service, they are only a few pence each. Even I'm not that tight!
juddadredd
Registered user
From what I read on here from the other owners/riders behind that Plate thingy is FULL of GREMLINS.
Bendy toy
Registered user
Mines an 08 that never had a crud catcher or fender extender. There was a slight rash where stones had hit the cover. But looking closer the paint was lifting. I scraped it off and found an area of alloy fuzz the size of a 50p piece. 
It's never going to rot through but def needs some new paint or powder coat. All for something that looked so trivial.
It's never going to rot through but def needs some new paint or powder coat. All for something that looked so trivial.
electrolytic corrosion. salty water on a copper / ally joint and the ally would be eaten away
Hypothetical questions off course but;
If you had two seals on an oil filter, would it still seal??
If you have only had a filter on for a short while, would removing the filter and re-fitting require a new seal??
If you had two seals on an oil filter, would it still seal??
If you have only had a filter on for a short while, would removing the filter and re-fitting require a new seal??
No it's fine spin it off make sure no crap can fall in it (or that you kick it over)
Had it before with a couple of bikes that folks brought to me to have a look at because they'd developed a leak
just spin it off check filter for 2 rubbers? If only one stick your "clean" finger up where it seats and see if the other one is "stuck" there flick it off and reinstall other one screw up hand tight and 3/4 of a turn to finish
Had it before with a couple of bikes that folks brought to me to have a look at because they'd developed a leak
just spin it off check filter for 2 rubbers? If only one stick your "clean" finger up where it seats and see if the other one is "stuck" there flick it off and reinstall other one screw up hand tight and 3/4 of a turn to finish
Cheers my friend, senior moment perhapsSuppose I should drain oil first
No, you can remove filter without draining the oil.
you'll get a dribble but nothing serious
just have a rag folded up as a cushion, so you can set the filter into it vertically without it tipping over
just have a rag folded up as a cushion, so you can set the filter into it vertically without it tipping over
Cheers my friend, senior moment perhaps
Wear disposable gloves to keep your skin oil free. Used motor oils contain lots of nasties.
Right, went for420 mile ride today and it looks like oil is coming from front cover. If less than 2 years old, warranty job??
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