Don't put Brake fluid in the clutch reservoir.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Kiwi
  • Start date Start date

Kiwi

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I learned the hard way. I have just rebuilt a crashed R1200GS. All on the road and going well. Then last week the clutch started playing up. When releasing the lever the takeup was very slow. My repair included a new clutch line. I pulled the slave cylinder off (Two screws) and found it had seized solid.The seal was rooted. (Bad)
So I finally read the BMW manual (CD) which lists Vitamol v10 as the correct fluid. This is a mineral oil, NOT brake fluid.

Well I should have known. It is clearly written on the clutch reservoir cover, in bright black on a black background.

Down to the local seal importer and purchased the slave cylinder seal, two master cylinder seals and an o-ring for the reservoir. NZ$24 all up. (US$18)

The very nice man at Seal Imports Limited (which I had previously assumed was some sort of supplier to zoos) said, "Make sure you don't use these with brake fluid as they will swell and disintegrate." "Yes, well I know that now..."

So be warned. Use the correct fluid.

Even the parts man at my local BMW dealer at first made the same assumption. They have never had to work on R1200 Clutch hydraulics in the three years or so that they have been on the market.

All good fun!
 
Thanks for that .
Think i would have made the same mistake .:blast


:thumb:thumb:thumb
 
I'm sorry to hear of your mishap. At least your good enough to blame yourself and not anyone else. Sounds like a copy of the Owners Handbook wouldn't go amiss either - a good read as they say.

Best of luck with the rebuild.
 
for KIWI

I was thinking of doing a winter fluid change and was amazed that you are right in the oil used for the clutch,,,,WOW. saved me a lot of hassle.Thanks.
 
Says in my manwell that clutch fluid doesn't need changing. Ever!

Just like the rear drive oil then :augie
 
Somewhere, BMW probably tell you that it is a quality product
Click to expand...
Yawn!!!! :augie


Just like the rear drive oil then
Click to expand...
Yawn!!!! :augie

BTW the 1200 does have it's final drive fluid changed atthe 600 mile service from model year '07 and the '08 model has proper drain plug to facilitate this -about time in my view. :D
 
wilbjr21 said:
BTW the 1200 does have it's final drive fluid changed atthe 600 mile service from model year '07 and the '08 model has proper drain plug to facilitate this -about time in my view. :D
Click to expand...

So what do they do about earlier builds? Just ignore them? :(
 
The product. - KTM vs GS.

The product is made by Aral Lubricants. It is a reasonably thin blue hydraulic fluid suitable for shock absorbers. (Thin like brake fluid)
It has a Viscosity index of 10 mm2/s.
So in a pinch you could use some hydraulic fluid/thin oil etc.
For the price you might as well use the real thing if you can.

From their site:
"Aral Vitamol V 10 is a hydraulic fluid based on synthetic hydrocarbons with distinctive efficient capabilities. The special additive technologie combination causes an improvement of the VI (Viscosity Index) performance, corrosion prevention, pressure absorption ability and the ageing protection.

Specification
The low viscous Aral Vitamol V 10 has a proven performance for the use in shock absorbers. Furthermore its suited for all hydraulic systems, which need extremely precise control even with large variations in temperature. Possible applications are hydraulic elevators, hydraulics for water resource and distribution equipment, auxiliary engines, N/C controlled machine tools and copier hydraulics"

http://www.aral-lubricants.com

The only reason I changed it is that the clutch line was danaged in the crash.
Oh and BTY. I have completed the re-build.
My r1200Gs is now back on the road. Great bike.
It just makes me laugh every time I ride it. It's big and gangley and it starts up like an old tractor. But it goes so bloody well. And stable in the gravel.

KTM vs R1200GS.
Always a lot of talk about these two bikes. Well a mate of mine has a KTM adventure. We went for a rural ride to compare the bikes. Performance wise there is nothing in it. If one of us takes off the other is right behind. Neither bike can pull away from the other. My mate took off down one strait and we got up to 215kmph. (125MPH). I was still right behind him. (Private road officer!) Then we swapped bikes. The two are so different. A completely different riding experience. Yet they are the two bikes at the top of the big trailee/adventure bike set. In every other bike sector th etop bikes are like clones of each other. Yet KTM and BMW have done things so different. Which is good. The BM suites me. And the KTM suits him.
 
Hi,
I am thinking if I should have some Vitamol in the toolbox for trips in case of a spill or leak.
Does anyone know if ATF (widely available in every corner here) is compatible?
Bin
 
ATF not suitable

The Vitamol is very thin and not sticky like ATF.
Also ATF has anti-foaming agents which you don't need.
If you can not get Vitamol I guess you could go to an engineering supply store and ask for soem hydraulic lift or shock absorber oil.
(Make sure it is mineral)
 
Hi,i had exactly the same prob.Only i found out when i took mine in for its service.bought the GS with 2200 miles on clock and took it in at 3000 (ready for a trip to the lakes)Do shifts so left it with them till the next day,phoned to check if ok to pick it up and he says everything fine but just want to investigate th clutch (didnt seem quite right somehow?).
2 hrs later and the line "Ah,seems you may have a problem with your clutch miss".
Shit,i thought,no worries he says your warranty covers it,Phew.
Calls up next day,Have you change the clutch fluid at all?No i says.Well somebody has.Brake fluid.Your clutch (servo?)is knackered.Not only that but BMW will insist on the part back so im stuffed.:tearsNot my fault(previous owner)not theirs either.Parts going to take a week to come.Oh and the bill is going to be bigger.:spitfire
Any way,Thank to the dealer making a few phone calls to BMW they went halfs on the cost,they supplied the part free as long as i paid for the labour.Couldnt argue with that.(cheers Alan Jeffries).:clap
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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