R1200RT oil leak front of engine
R1200RT oil leak front of engine
Hi all, wondering if anyone has had experience with oil leaks? There was a slight oil 'weep' coming from the front of the engine when I bought the bike and I just kept an eye on it as it was very minimal. I expected a pulley seal to be on the way out which would need looking at in the near future. However, having done an oil change and ridden the bike without any issues in the late summer, I have recently started it up again and the oil drip is at a faster rate. Quite a slow drip but faster than before. I haven't put too much oil in as I was careful to put no more than the exact amount required. It would seem to be coming from under the front panel/cover on the engine block which I expect may be related to a crankshaft seal? Anyone have any similar issues and would it likely be an expensive fix? Thanks
Re: R1200RT oil leak front of engine
It'll not be pricey if you do it yourself! ;D
Is it coming from behind the plastic outer cover, part no. 7, or from between the metal cover, part no. 1, and front of the engine? If it's from behind the plastic cover, it's likely to be the seal.
The workshop procedure mentions special tools, but, having just replaced my own front cover myself - due to corrosion/paint lifting - I'd say it's very do-able at home without the need for them. It's likely to be the seal that you mention, part no. 11118528387 and about £15/16 from memory. It looks like this, although yours might not have part nos. 4, 5 and 6 as later covers were slightly different.....the offending seal is part no. 2 -
[attachimg=1]
AFAIK the seal can be replaced in situ, although I fitted mine to the replacement front cover before fitting that. Removal can be done by carefully drilling through the seal's metal insert, then screwing in a self-tapper to enable a good tug! The new seal can be a bit fiddly to fit (BMW recommend using a special tool that looks like a big thimble - it simply eases the seal over the end of the crank) but it can be done by giving it a good push into place and then running a feeler gauge round it just to make sure the lip is properly seated. That's it, I think!
It could be that the seal between the engine front cover - part no. 1 in the pic - is leaking. It's not actually a gasket, just a bead of sealant, but tbh it's more likely to be the seal I've mentioned - you'll soon see when you remove the plastic outer cover.
I reckon it would probably take a dealer less than an hour, so even if you don't fancy doing it, it shouldn't be a huge bill.
Is it coming from behind the plastic outer cover, part no. 7, or from between the metal cover, part no. 1, and front of the engine? If it's from behind the plastic cover, it's likely to be the seal.
The workshop procedure mentions special tools, but, having just replaced my own front cover myself - due to corrosion/paint lifting - I'd say it's very do-able at home without the need for them. It's likely to be the seal that you mention, part no. 11118528387 and about £15/16 from memory. It looks like this, although yours might not have part nos. 4, 5 and 6 as later covers were slightly different.....the offending seal is part no. 2 -
[attachimg=1]
AFAIK the seal can be replaced in situ, although I fitted mine to the replacement front cover before fitting that. Removal can be done by carefully drilling through the seal's metal insert, then screwing in a self-tapper to enable a good tug! The new seal can be a bit fiddly to fit (BMW recommend using a special tool that looks like a big thimble - it simply eases the seal over the end of the crank) but it can be done by giving it a good push into place and then running a feeler gauge round it just to make sure the lip is properly seated. That's it, I think!
It could be that the seal between the engine front cover - part no. 1 in the pic - is leaking. It's not actually a gasket, just a bead of sealant, but tbh it's more likely to be the seal I've mentioned - you'll soon see when you remove the plastic outer cover.
I reckon it would probably take a dealer less than an hour, so even if you don't fancy doing it, it shouldn't be a huge bill.
- Attachments
-
Last edited by milleplod on Sat Jan 05, 2019 3:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
David.
- Subscriber
- Posts: 8342
- Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2014 7:29 pm
- Location: North Yorkshire
- Bike Model and Year: R1200RT (Camhead) 2012
- Been liked: 395 times
Re: R1200RT oil leak front of engine
Because of corrosion, had this engine cover replaced under warranty. The BMW dealers charged 1 hour labour (which included an oil & filter change).milleplod wrote:It could be that the seal between the engine front cover - part no. 1 in the pic - is leaking.
-
SwissCheese
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2016 10:07 am
Re: R1200RT oil leak front of engine
I did have a similar experience. The very lower part of the engines front was soaked with oil. It didn‘t seem reasonable that the oil came from the engine... so I looked up!
Turned it was oil dripping down from the front suspension. A revision of the suspension fixed the problem.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Turned it was oil dripping down from the front suspension. A revision of the suspension fixed the problem.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Re: R1200RT oil leak front of engine
Thank you to all! This is very interesting. Milleplod, your diagram is excellent and your explanation gives me hope that I can solve this myself ;D . The reality may be different, but I like to try first anyway. Mine is an 07 plate, so getting on a bit now. But still in good condition. From what you say, I would guess it is the shaft seal rather than gasket(sealant). Fingers crossed!
Re: R1200RT oil leak front of engine
I should have also mentioned - apologies if you're already aware! - that the seal has the alternator belt pulley in front of it, which slipped my mind as I fitted the seal to a cover off the bike! This video shows how it looks - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNO0fY9b0lA
BMW say you'll need the engine locking pin tool to get the nut off, but all I did was to put a socket and ratchet handle on it, then ignition on and a quick tap on the starter button...it's loose! The video shows how to remove the belt without damaging it, using a piece of plastic under it - for what they cost, I'd say fit a new one, in which case you can simply cut through the old one.
Tightening the pulley nut (from memory a 2-stage torque setting....30 then 100 ft.lbs) just needs the engine in gear and a heavy foot on the rear brake, so a helping pair of hands is a good idea.
Refitting the belt is simple enough too - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzPTPN98x40
I've just checked the workshop CD-ROM - BMW say the drill bit used to remove the seal should be a 2.5mm one, and you shouldn't go any deeper than 3mm past the seal, so a steady hand is needed, probably backed up with a new bit so there's no need to put too much pressure on it!
Pete
BMW say you'll need the engine locking pin tool to get the nut off, but all I did was to put a socket and ratchet handle on it, then ignition on and a quick tap on the starter button...it's loose! The video shows how to remove the belt without damaging it, using a piece of plastic under it - for what they cost, I'd say fit a new one, in which case you can simply cut through the old one.
Tightening the pulley nut (from memory a 2-stage torque setting....30 then 100 ft.lbs) just needs the engine in gear and a heavy foot on the rear brake, so a helping pair of hands is a good idea.
Refitting the belt is simple enough too - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzPTPN98x40
I've just checked the workshop CD-ROM - BMW say the drill bit used to remove the seal should be a 2.5mm one, and you shouldn't go any deeper than 3mm past the seal, so a steady hand is needed, probably backed up with a new bit so there's no need to put too much pressure on it!
Pete