Leakage

[mylovelyhorse]

Morning all,

Back in Feb I fell off a different bike and broke my right collarbone :-( I've only just started riding my 1999 R1150GS again. Nice to be back on the bike though.

As it happens, servicing time and MOT time have arrived at the same point. I've changed all three sets of brake pads (easy peasy job on my 90k GS compared to my now deceased 52k Aprilia) and done the service. All is good except for three oil leaks.

The first is from the right hand cylinder at the base and appears to be from the trailing one of a pair of small bolts. The Haynes manual makes a comment about this being a known issue on pre-2002 bikes and gives a pair of part numbers that the motorworks site doesn't know. I'll look them up later & quote them here. Is the Haynes manual talking cobblers again or is this a known issue?

The second leak is from both the left and the right rocker covers. I think it's time for new seals. They both look pretty well OK, but I'll bet they've been on there some time (possibly they're the originals). The only thing is that also I've found that the lower front bolts on both covers don't want to tighten up. I am wondering if the heads have stripped their threads slightly or if the bolts are made of cheese and are the problem.

Is this a known issue and is there a solution that doesn't involve dismantling the engine?

Cheers

 

[Stewart H]

Those stripped threads could easily be helicoiled in situ, perhaps some new rubber gaskets into the bargain, and from your description perhaps a new O ring on one of the camshaft covers.
Stewart

 

[mylovelyhorse]

Those stripped threads could easily be helicoiled in situ

Hmm, sounds like it's time to buy a helicoil kit and learn how to use it Damn.

perhaps some new rubber gaskets into the bargain

On the bolts, you mean?

and from your description perhaps a new O ring on one of the camshaft covers.

I've just ordered a pair of the cover gaskets (inner and outer) from motorworks, thought it best. Oh and a pair of the bolts & rubbers, just in case

Cheers

M

 

[oblertone]

Sounds to me ...

... as if you've cocked-up replacing the plug gaskets, which believe me results in a monumental leak I think the correct procedure is fully described by Steptoe in the Font of Wisdom, but it's unlikely bothe rocker gaskets would fail at the same time

 

[Stewart H]

I had one of the plug gaskets split a while back, it leaked a lot of oil for a tiny split.

Stewart

 

[mylovelyhorse]

... as if you've cocked-up replacing the plug gaskets

Yebbut the leak is at the bottom of the cylinder, from the seal sort of point. Possibly the plug gaskets though.

 

[Bastille]

Hmm, sounds like it's time to buy a helicoil kit and learn how to use it Damn.


On the bolts, you mean?


I've just ordered a pair of the cover gaskets (inner and outer) from motorworks, thought it best. Oh and a pair of the bolts & rubbers, just in case

Cheers

M

Just an idea, you mention Helicoil. Some years ago I worked for Wurth UK, they have a system called Time Sert, Spelling may be incorrect and possibly only one word but so what, Anyway, it was a great system. I'm not saying it is suitable for this application but, I provided this to many main dealers and independant garages and they thought it was years ahead of Helicoil. I will mention that I no longer work for them however commission greatfully received!

I just hope this may help.

Bastille

 

[Steptoe]

Yebbut the leak is at the bottom of the cylinder, from the seal sort of point. Possibly the plug gaskets though.

The oil runs down from the round plug seal.
It sounds like you've not put the valve covers back correctly.

Don't just push them back and tighten them down. Fit them back and they should mate up to the head face without any pressure being needed. If you have to push them or tighten them down to get them to fit the round inner gasket/seal hasn't seated correctly.

 

[MattW]

Check that your R/H cylinder leak isn't actually the head gasket (an oil leak from the gasket tends to drip from the rear of the two small socket screws at the base of the camchain tunnel - I think this is the screw you're talking about?).

An easy way to try and identify the source of the leak is to remove the plastic rocker cover protector, give it a good clean, dust the whole area with talc and go for a ride (stopping at frequent intervals to scrutinise it). You should be able to spot the source. I'm not sure if early 1150's suffered from the same head gasket failures as the 1100's (rectified with a new type of metallic gasket)? I had this issue with my 1100 and changed the gasket (had to get the head skimmed also) - this fixed the leak. It's not a hard job to do a head gasket - Steptoe did an excellent how-to.

As others have said, helicoils will sort your rocker cover bolt issues and new rocker cover gaskets and plug tunnel gaskets wont hurt. Make sure you fit the plug tunnel gaskets to the rocker cover and fit the cover in one smooth motion - if you have to pul the cover back at all, remove it, refit the plug tunnel gasket to the rocker cover and start again.

Edit: Steptoe beat me to it

cheers
M