Still leaking oil

GedJack

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I first posted this on year about 6 weeks ago when I first collected my 2002 1150.

Oil is collecting on my left boot when riding it. I discovered this on the return journey after buying it.
I asked on this very forum and was told to check / replace the seal which goes over the spark plug. I did and the problem got a little better but not fixed.

Since then I have put another rocker cover gasket on it. Replaced the oil filler cap and 'o' ring. Replaced all 4 rubber bushes which the rocker cover bolts go through.

Took it for a little ride today and it's still leaking. It is definitely coming from up top as when I remove the BMW plastic cycling ear head protector the underside is covered in oil.

When I returned I removed the rocker cover again cleaned both surfaces and the gasket. Replaced everything only this time didn't bother using a torque wrench on the rocker bolts just tightened them as far as I could without shearing them.
I left the bike on the centre stand ticking over for 20 mins and together with a torch and clean tissue attempted to find were the oil was coming from and could not see anything.

I am yet to take it on a ride and will get round to that this week but I would have thought leaving ticking over would produce the source of the leak.

Don't know if this makes any difference but the previous owner had had the rocker covers powder coated and the heads vapour blasted.

Any thought ideas would be greatly appreciated as I am at a complete loss :confused:
 
DO NOT LEAVE THE BIKE TICKING OVER ON THE STAND :blast

The engine is cooled by air flow over the bike, and leaving ticking over on the stand will result in all sorts of damage, such as blown oil sight glass etc.

If the head covers have been powder coated, they would be my main suspect, as the magnesium covers are a PITA to do correctly.
If you have access to a large sheet of glass put the cover joint face down and check to see if its flat...

Best of luck
 
Are the mating surfaces of the rocker covers bare metal,, or powder coated? If the latter then they will not be oil tight, and the chances are you'll not be able to make them so.

Oh, and Neill's warning about not letting the engine run whilst stationary is good advice - it has ended in all sorts of snags...
 
Mike O said:
Are the mating surfaces of the rocker covers bare metal,, or powder coated? If the latter then they will not be oil tight, and the chances are you'll not be able to make them so.

Oh, and Neill's warning about not letting the engine run whilst stationary is good advice - it has ended in all sorts of snags...
Click to expand...
Thanks, for the advice will take it on board, just trying to see it start leaking.
The mating surfaces are not powder coated and it looks like a really professional job.
Might have to try Neil's suggestion about the glass tomorrow unless anyone else has any ideas.
 
My advice is clean off the engine and make sure it is fully dry, lightly powder (cheap talc ) all of the joints ie rocker cover ,around oil glass, base of cylinders etc and ride the bike for a few miles , if it is leaking you will trace the source
 
I got a pair of rocker covers powder coated. Tried everything to get them oil tight, including gluing emery to a sheet of glass and spending ages trying to ensure the mating surfaces were flat.

Ended up throwing them away...
 
Right folks, in an attempt to fix this yet again I have replaced the cam nut cover O ring.
Took it for a ride today and it appears to be getting worse. Before I book it into the garage my thoughts are to check the cylinder head bolts and re torque if necessary. This is based on the fact that I know the previous owner had recently had the head off to get it vapour blasted.

My question is, is it possible to re torque the head bolts without removing the head completely and starting the whole procedure again ?
 
Did you try Neil W's suggestion?

I would have thought with that much oil leaking (sounds like a lot as opposed to just weeping?) It's a new gasket. But you need the gurus on here to answer that (Steptoe, Mikeyboy....). Our just get into it, with a new gasket at the ready...



Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk
 
No not tried that, but I really cleaned it off before riding and it does look like it's coming from the head gasket, to the left of where the exhaust goes into the head.
The previous owner did put a new gasket on, just thinking it may need a re torque.
 
Maybe if you back off the head bolts and re-torque it's worth a try. Just beware trying to over tighten to get a better seal...


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I know this is an obvious periodic maintenance item and probably doesn't pertain to this issue, but, since you're down below her skirts anyway, check the torque of the bolts holding the main engine half's together. I have a '98 and was surprised to find them all loose. After tightening, my bash plate/tub has stayed dry and clean and I never have to add oil between changes.
 
Right finally got to the bottom of this.
The previous owner had replaced to exhaust studs with stainless ones. It appears that when he has drilled the holes for the new ones he has gone to far and ended up in the oil gallery. When I removed the stud, oil came out.

A local BMW independent says if that's the case the head is scrap, however a local engine repair specialist has asked to have a look at it.

Anyone have any thoughts as to whether it can be fixed successfully or not ?
 
Cut about 5mm off one of the studs, cut a screwdriver slot in one end, coat threads in Loctite 518 or similar and screw it carefully to the bottom of the too-deep hole as a plug. Once the Loctite has set, screw the rest of the stud in carefully to the new plug. Easy fix, no different from the other oil gallery plugs on the engine :nenau
 
Cook1e said:
Cut about 5mm off one of the studs, cut a screwdriver slot in one end, coat threads in Loctite 518 or similar and screw it carefully to the bottom of the too-deep hole as a plug. Once the Loctite has set, screw the rest of the stud in carefully to the new plug. Easy fix, no different from the other oil gallery plugs on the engine :nenau
Click to expand...
Thanks Cookie, took it to the engine repair specialist this morning and they are going to have a crack at it.
 
We did, when the previous owner replaced the old exhaust studs with stainless he drilled to far and oil was weeping along the stud. From memory I think he put an insert in and it’s been perfect ever since. Cost me £40
 
Cook1e said:
Cut about 5mm off one of the studs, cut a screwdriver slot in one end, coat threads in Loctite 518 or similar and screw it carefully to the bottom of the too-deep hole as a plug. Once the Loctite has set, screw the rest of the stud in carefully to the new plug. Easy fix, no different from the other oil gallery plugs on the engine :nenau
Click to expand...

That is genius! A simple fix for what could be an utter disaster. Great advice and something I’ll remember for future reference!


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