Oil filter cover oil leak

[byron]

My newly acquired 1989 r80 GS has a nagging oil leak from the filter cover.
Now I am aware of the $2000 oil seal and just wanted to check with you knowledgeable people , That what I've done is okay.
I took the petrol tank off and laid the bike over on its side on the lawn to remove the cover. Removing the cover there was no gasket visible so I clean the area applied sealant and then put a new gasket in place. Have now run the bike up to operating temperature and everything seems Oil tight . I did not remove the O ring and have also left the filter in situ. I'm checking to see that by adding the gasket there is no chance of me reducing The oil pressure.
Thanks in advance and here is a picture of it all back together

 

[B Murr]

I'm no expert so don't speak with authority, however I've never heard of people using sealant for the airhead oil filter cover and can't help think something not right. Also I'd worry about a little blob of sealant going astray and blocking or restricting an oil way somewhere. Has the sealing surface been damaged in some way. You've read about the ins and out of measuring the cylinder recess depth etc? I would have thought the rubber o ring would be enough to seal.

 

[PW Cymru]

This is a good guide, as far as I'm aware your measurements determine whether you require a gasket ec

http://www.largiader.com/tech/filters/

 

[dr nosh]

Use a gasket only. Sealant of any type not required.

Make sure the gasket mating faces - engine side and cover side are clean and free from any 'highs' that may be the result of a previous owner being in there with a screwdriver.

I notice that non-original cap head bolts are being used. Make sure these are the right length and not bottoming out at the bottom of the threaded hole (I can't remember if these are blind. If not then longer bolts will not be a problem. (Longer, within reason of course)

 

[solidstate100]

Hi byron

Start with a known situation rather than assume the cover needs a gasket and sealant (BTW sealant should never be required). Take the cover off and measure the distance to the lip of the inner cannister and work from there. Just because there wasnt a gasket fitted doesnt nessesarily mean that one will not be required now - and vice versa. There is a possibility if you fit a gasket and one is not required the pressure on the o ring /shim(s) may be reduced with low oil pressure being a potential result.

Every time I change my filter I always measure the "cannister gap" (as I call it) to check it hasnt changed and shim as ness, (it can occasionally move over time both inwards and outwards, and its not as difficult as it sounds (the link above is OK from memory) and to be honest they dont do it that often but you do need to be on your guard....

 

[Rob Farmer]

You shouldn't have a gasket on your 89 gs. If it's leaking you have either nicked the o ring or need to put another shim in. If you've used a black o ring instead of a white one it will be smaller and won't squish up as well.

 

[ChasF]

My own experience is not to fit the paper gasket (I used a smear of silicon instead) and make sure the white o ring is correctly seated and not damaged.

 

[byron]

You shouldn't have a gasket on your 89 gs. If it's leaking you have either nicked the o ring or need to put another shim in. If you've used a black o ring instead of a white one it will be smaller and won't squish up as well.

Thanks all for the information about the shims and O rings. I had no idea this oil filter could be so complex compared to the dozens I have changed over the years.
The Largiader site is extremely useful in explaining the principles involved. So I had better get a filter kit before riding this bike as I may have reduced the oil pressure by adding the cover gasket. As usual in this section the advise is first class.
Thanks

 

[ChasF]

Just spotted that the cooler has been removed so you need to check that the right parts have been used and the filter is the correct length.

 

[oldenoughtoknowbetter]

..... also, your bike looks as if it's been around the block a few times. I had a 1987 RT for which I used for work through eleven winters and the road salt had penetrated between the mating surfaces of the filter cover, causing corrosion, which in turn caused the oil to seep. So I obtained a "new" cover and refitted with a well greased gasket and also the thin, large, alloy "O" shim to compensate for the thickness of the gasket. By the time I sold it the old girl had done in excess of 200,000 miles and to my knowledge is still running. Might be an option.

 

[GSSTEVE]

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=0471-EUR-12-1989-47E1-BMW-R_80_GS&diagId=11_1703

 

[byron]

You shouldn't have a gasket on your 89 gs. If it's leaking you have either nicked the o ring or need to put another shim in. If you've used a black o ring instead of a white one it will be smaller and won't squish up as well.

I've just taken the filter cover and gasket off to consider the information that you guys have given me. I have also been using the Anton Largiader diagrams and charts, but I still have a few questions.
I have now measured around the outside of the canister and all bar a 30° segment is 3.8 mm and the 30° segment is 4 mm. According to the chart that should be two shims plus the black O-ring
Am I also right in thinking there is no need for the black square section and O ring.
Can someone also explain to me what constitutes the $2000 failure, is it a lack of compression by less than half a millimetre of the cover to the filter?
Here are a few photos of what I've taken apart

 

[ChasF]

I'm having some trouble with the photos. There should be a central tube which engages with the spigot on the cover.

I don't about the black square section O ringbut the white O ring is crucial