Oil on rear wheel R1150R

[MarkShelley]

I have only done a couple of hundred miles on my `new` bike and I have oil dripping from the big gaitor in front of the final drive .
I wish it had happened a few days ago so I had time to investigate and order parts so I could fix over the weekend!
Anyhow, when I undo the clips and look inside, how do I determine what has caused it?

 

[ian6760]

Take the gator off, clean up the oil then check the levels in the gearbox and FD. Put it back together, take it for a long ride and check again on Monday. If the oil levels are good it will be fine. I believe that the shaft seal can weep at the GB end on a long run and then gathers in the gator. Some may say they all to that Sir.

 

[IanPorter]

mine has been like that for at least the last 17,000 miles

FD and gearbox levels don't drop noticeably

with new cable ties on the gaiter it doesn't drop any oil on the wheel

it's now part of my service routine to clean the gaiter of oil and fit new cable ties,

I'll worry about it when the oils levels start dropping in the FD and/or gearbox

 

[MarkShelley]

Take the gator off, clean up the oil then check the levels in the gearbox and FD. Put it back together, take it for a long ride and check again on Monday. If the oil levels are good it will be fine. I believe that the shaft seal can weep at the GB end on a long run and then gathers in the gator. Some may say they all to that Sir.

I`ll give it a go, but it isn`t a misting, it is more than that.

 

[MarkShelley]

mine has been like that for at least the last 17,000 miles

FD and gearbox levels don't drop noticeably

with new cable ties on the gaiter it doesn't drop any oil on the wheel

it's now part of my service routine to clean the gaiter of oil and fit new cable ties,

I'll worry about it when the oils levels start dropping in the FD and/or gearbox

If you are losing oil, then the levels must be dropping. My 1100 hasn`t leaked a drop from there in 35000 miles.
I don`t want to be worrying about the gearbox and FD oils on every long ride or having to check the levels every trip. I would rather sort it out.

 

[IanPorter]

If you are losing oil, then the levels must be dropping.

I'm sure it is but it's only about a tables spoon full between services

 

[ian6760]

I`ll give it a go, but it isn`t a misting, it is more than that.

It's one of those things that needs time to make its self apparent. As said a small amount of oil goes a long way. The oil that has come out may have been collecting for years and has just found a way out. The only places it could be coming from is the gearbox or final drive so keeping an eye on them will show the problem or put your mind at rest over time.

I shit myself when mine did it, cleaned it up and has been trouble free since.

 

[MarkShelley]

Doing a search has thrown up no end of similar occurrances. As suggested I will check both levels to work out its origin then get it fixed.

 

[The Grey One]

mine has been like that for at least the last 17,000 miles

FD and gearbox levels don't drop noticeably

with new cable ties on the gaiter it doesn't drop any oil on the wheel

it's now part of my service routine to clean the gaiter of oil and fit new cable ties,

I'll worry about it when the oils levels start dropping in the FD and/or gearbox

Cable ties are a crap solution, I know BMW fitted them but they are still crap!

Great for, you guessed it, holding cables but for gaiters they often don't tighten up properly or stay tight.

I use stainless steel banding from my days repairing Citroens. It's called Ligarex and is tightened with special pliers. Proper engineering solution and look smarter that plastic.

John

 

[MarkShelley]

I`m not convinced that a perfect mega tight seal is such a good thing. I guess the main function is to keep dirt out isn`t it? At least if the oil can find its way out you get a warning of potential problems.
Anyway, I just got home, popped off the gaiter, and no big pool of oil. I checked the final drive oil and it was way too full. I syringed a fair bit out to get it to the correct level at the bottom of the thread, enough to fill a spare spool case from a Mitchell 300 fishing reel (some of the older anglers on here will know the size, including the most important person!)
I am hoping that this was the cause. I checked the gearbox oil and that was fine.
I will monitor it but I am not risking taking it as far as Wentworth tomorrow so the GS is loaded!

 

[The Grey One]

I`m not convinced that a perfect mega tight seal is such a good thing. I guess the main function is to keep dirt out isn`t it? At least if the oil can find its way out you get a warning of potential problems.
Anyway, I just got home, popped off the gaiter, and no big pool of oil. I checked the final drive oil and it was way too full. I syringed a fair bit out to get it to the correct level at the bottom of the thread, enough to fill a spare spool case from a Mitchell 300 fishing reel (some of the older anglers on here will know the size, including the most important person!)
I am hoping that this was the cause. I checked the gearbox oil and that was fine.
I will monitor it but I am not risking taking it as far as Wentworth tomorrow so the GS is loaded!

In this case yes, it's to keep dirt and water out. It might keep most of the dirt out if it is slightly loose but the water? I would say if the oil can get out water can get in.

My pet hate was driveshaft gaiters "held" in place with cable ties. I used to cut them off and fit the Ligarex. That way the grease stayed in instead of being flung out all over the place. Especially important when Citroen moved away from inboard brakes to hub mounted ones.

John

 

[MattW]

When this happened to my 1100, it was the gearbox output shaft seal. If you peel the gaiter back and peer up the swingarm with a torch you might be able to see if the oil has been running down the swingarm.

If it is the seal, it's not desperately hard to change - just requires a fair bit of dismantling to get to it.

 

[B4ndit]

When mine did this it was the FD input seal. Mr BMW did it (And the FD bearings for good measure) at a reasonable price and gave a two year warranty.

 

[Steptoe]

Cable ties are a crap solution, I know BMW fitted them but they are still crap!

Great for, you guessed it, holding cables but for gaiters they often don't tighten up properly or stay tight.

I use stainless steel banding from my days repairing Citroens. It's called Ligarex and is tightened with special pliers. Proper engineering solution and look smarter that plastic.

John

Fit the bmw metal adjustable bands. The smaller one can be fitted from an 1100, and the larger one from a R100GS.
Got them on my 1150. Undo, check, and retighten.


A mitchell 300 spare spool case full of oil isn't worth worrying about.

 

[The Grey One]

Fit the bmw metal adjustable bands. The smaller one can be fitted from an 1100, and the larger one from a R100GS.
Got them on my 1150. Undo, check, and retighten.

Sounds like a good solution, I expect the BMW dealer here can order them for me, around 20 Euros each judging from other parts I have asked about.

John

 

[MarkShelley]

Fit the bmw metal adjustable bands. The smaller one can be fitted from an 1100, and the larger one from a R100GS.
Got them on my 1150. Undo, check, and retighten.


A mitchell 300 spare spool case full of oil isn't worth worrying about.

I looked on the Motorworks site for the big bands but didn`t buy any as there were none listed as suitable for the 1150. I will get some now I know, thanks

 

[racerdave]

Oil Leak

Exactly the same as mine
firstly I crapped myself, as I had not long bought the bike and I thought I was looking at big big bill
I checked levels and found gearbox level low, all others fine
As I work away I took the bike to Raceways in Old Town Stevenage
and he sorted it. It involves removing the swing arm and a few other bits
biggest prob was sourcing a new one. the local dealer doesn't stock much for older bikes and one had to be sent from Germany.
not expensive unless you are silly enough to take it to the main dealer

 

[Packer]

Similar on my 1150GS. Oil not coming from gearbox along the inside of the swing arm so was final drive input seal leaking.

Scriminger Engineering sorted it:-

01529 300434 or enquiry@http://scriminger.co.uk/ No association except yet another very satisfied customer.

Also check the foam filter in the breather. Mine was blocked solid which wouldn't help.

 

[Steptoe]

I looked on the Motorworks site for the big bands but didn`t buy any as there were none listed as suitable for the 1150. I will get some now I know, thanks

Clips fitted on my 1150 - much better than cable ties

 

[MarkShelley]

I went for a 20 mile spin yesterday and there appeared to be no leakage. Strange
I will keep an eye on it.