Is this Normal?

[Jharpphoto]

I've got a 2012 RT with 14,500 miles on it. At my 12K service the tech mentioned that there was a small seep at the rear of the engine. When I picked up the bike the oil was at the filling the sight glass. Now the oil is a little over half way in the sight glass. My bike has always been a healthy consumer of oil so I'm not very concerned with the oil level. I am more concerned with the photos here. Please god let this be normal. I don't have any oil drips on the garage nor do I smell oil burning at a stop light but I need the truth from you knowledgeable men. Should this be worrisome?

 

 

 

[/img]

[dirtrider]

Afternoon Jharpphoto

 

I wouldn't say it's normal but I have seen a number of 1200 engines have a little light seepage in the rear.

 

From what I can tell it usually comes for the rear balance shaft seal seeping after the bike is parked for a few days.

 

 

[RSH]

Hi Jharpphoto;

 

I just checked my 2012 R12000 RT and it is perfectly dry back there.

 

It has 37K KM on it (23K Miles).

 

I just got back from a 4K KM trip 5 days ago and have not started or cleaned the bike since. There is no seepage anywhere, I might be one of the lucky ones. Over the 4K KM trip I used maybe, 4-5 oz's of oil.

 

Hope this works out for you.

[Jharpphoto]

Hi Jharpphoto;

 

I just checked my 2012 R12000 RT and it is perfectly dry back there.

 

It has 37K KM on it (23K Miles).

 

I just got back from a 4K KM trip 5 days ago and have not started or cleaned the bike since. There is no seepage anywhere, I might be one of the lucky ones. Over the 4K KM trip I used maybe, 4-5 oz's of oil.

 

Hope this works out for you.

 

Crap! Now I'm really concerned . I washed the affected area with degreaser so I'll keep an eye on it but this doesn't look good.

[6speedTi]

A clean engine is a happy engine.

[algover]

A clean engine is a happy engine.

 

.... or one that is never used.

[Jharpphoto]

I'm picking up a few things at beemer boneyard to change the filter. Does this look like the right stuff?

 

STEEL Oil Filter Wrench For All K1200S/ R/ R-Sport/ GT, R1200GS/ R/ RT/ ST/ S Hexhead & Camhead ,F800/650 (twins), K1600GT/GTL & S1000RR Bikes

 

New OEM Mahle Oil Filter W/Crush Washer For All R1200GS/RT/ST/S/R , K1200S/R/GT (2005 On), K1600GT/GTL & S1000RR Bikes

 

Liqui-Moly Racing 4T 20W-50 Engine Oil (Mineral) 1 Liter

[Don_Eilenberger]

I'm picking up a few things at beemer boneyard to change the filter. Does this look like the right stuff?

 

STEEL Oil Filter Wrench For All K1200S/ R/ R-Sport/ GT, R1200GS/ R/ RT/ ST/ S Hexhead & Camhead ,F800/650 (twins), K1600GT/GTL & S1000RR Bikes

 

New OEM Mahle Oil Filter W/Crush Washer For All R1200GS/RT/ST/S/R , K1200S/R/GT (2005 On), K1600GT/GTL & S1000RR Bikes

 

Liqui-Moly Racing 4T 20W-50 Engine Oil (Mineral) 1 Liter

 

Folks are at a bit of a disadvantage here vs the BMW-MOA forum posting you made. The photo on the MOA forum clearly shows oil coming down from the top of the filter housing, so the suggestion was made to check the sealing of the filter (and check for 2 rubber rings - an old one that shouldn't be there, and the normal new one on the filter.)

 

Just thought I'd mention why you're buying these parts/tools.

[Jharpphoto]

I neglected to show this pic which might help with the diagnosis

http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/pp115/jharpphoto/Mobile%20Uploads/3F013A4B-633A-4A73-AEB3-3D93BF903816_zps6c9yjuoh.jpg' alt='3F013A4B-633A-4A73-AEB3-3D93BF903816_zps6c9yjuoh.jpg'>

[/img]

[dirtrider]

Afternoon Jharpphoto

 

See if you can find any oil on the top of the engine rear oil sump porch.

[Jharpphoto]

Hey Dirtrider

 

thanks for the illustration, I'll check that area out this afternoon.

[dirtrider]

Hey Dirtrider

 

thanks for the illustration, I'll check that area out this afternoon.

 

Afternoon Jharpphoto

 

It is difficult to reach up in that area so a white glove or white Kleenex is a good way to see if oil up on top of that sump porch.

[Jharpphoto]

I'm not sure where that area is exactly but I'll figure it out. Thanks for the advice.

[Jharpphoto]

just got my parcel from beemer boneyard. There is a little crush washer that came with the mahle OC 306 oil filter. Where does that washer go? I guess the crush washer goes on the oil drain plug not the oil filter right? That the crush washer was on the oil filter pkg kinda confused me.

[dirtrider]

just got my parcel from beemer boneyard. There is a little crush washer that came with the mahle OC 306 oil filter. Where does that washer go?

 

Afternoon Jharpphoto

 

Probably on the oil drain plug.

[Marty Hill]

Where in ga. are you? I'm in marietta, east cobb and would be happy to help.

[Jharpphoto]

Hey Marty

 

I'm in east cobb as well. Very nice of you to offer to help. I would appreciate that. It seems like a pretty simple task that I planned to attempt Sat afternoon. Feel free to IM me for contact. It's good to know there is someone local with some experience. Thanks again

 

JH

[tallman]

A bit more than "some"...

Y'all have fun.

[Marty Hill]

PM sent.

[Jharpphoto]

feeling a little disappointed I guess. Finally got around to removing/inspecting the oil filter gasket and there was no residue or fouling of the gasket area around the oil filter. I replaced the old filter just in case but I had hoped there would be a big 'ol chunk of gasket left over from my last oil change. After removing the filter and cleaning the area I did notice some oil had migrated to the area where the gasket seats. I suppose that must be normal but here are a few pics of what I found.

[/img]

[/img]

[/img]

 

http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/pp115/jharpphoto/7490E91A-E2DF-4EFE-B02A-10B142D15C25_zpsvwewkd08.jpg' alt='7490E91A-E2DF-4EFE-B02A-10B142D15C25_zpsvwewkd08.jpg'>

[Don_Eilenberger]

Hope you cleaned up and dried the area when done. There is munge on the metal lip of the old filter next to the rubber gasket. That munge looks to be old oil and dirt. It's particularly noticeable at the 6 (PM) position in your photos of the filter.

 

It also appears the filter may have been overtightened - the gasket appears distorted (what is that at around 10? It looks almost like a pattern in the gasket. IIRC - the gaskets are smooth on both surfaces..

 

This is an RT?

 

How long was that filter on there? I do 6,000 mile changes on my hex/camheads and have never seen munge like that.

[Jharpphoto]

Thanks for being so observant. That filter was only the RT for 2k miles.

 

quote=Don_Eilenberger]Hope you cleaned up and dried the area when done. There is munge on the metal lip of the old filter next to the rubber gasket. That munge looks to be old oil and dirt. It's particularly noticeable at the 6 (PM) position in your photos of the filter.

 

It also appears the filter may have been overtightened - the gasket appears distorted (what is that at around 10? It looks almost like a pattern in the gasket. IIRC - the gaskets are smooth on both surfaces..

 

This is an RT?

 

How long was that filter on there? I do 6,000 mile changes on my hex/camheads and have never seen munge like that.

[6speedTi]

Oil filters don't need to be gorilla tight. As far as a spin on filter I prelube the gasket and fill it with oil before installing it. I only tighten it about one turn after it starts to get tight by hand. I did this on autos as well. Never had a leak. If you ever notice how much harder it is to break it free when removing it.

[Don_Eilenberger]

Jharpphoto - what was the outcome after changing the filter and cleaning up the area? Any sign of leaking? Please don't leave us in suspense..

[Jharpphoto]

I only had a short ride (30 min) but didn't really get a chance to get under there and have a good look. I'll update tonight when I get some quality garage time.

 

[eddd]

Jharpphoto, keep in mind that a tiny bit of oil can spread out over time and appear to be much more than is actually leaking. Another thing to remember is that swirling air currents when the bike is moving can cause the oil to move in ways that you might not expect, even to the point of traveling upward from the point of the leak.

 

That being said, no one likes an oil leak, but if this really bugs you and continues to evade your attempts to locate the leak, you can always use a UV fluorescent leak detection dye. The dye, coupled with an inexpensive UV flashlight and tinted glasses, can show you the leak's source.

[Don_Eilenberger]

Still waiting to hear the outcome..

 

I hate it when someone dumps a question on a forum, gets all sorts of suggestions and offers of help and never bothers to give us the result. In that case the person who does that never gets another reply from me (not that they seem to care..)

[money]

I have a 2013 rt & at 48 k it developed a oil leak at bottom back of engine. Turned outto be the rear main seal. Dealer installed new seal clutch& pressure plate under warranty. It now has 85 k with no further problems. From the look of your photos I would think you might have the same issue.

[lkchris]

I have a 2013 rt & at 48 k it developed a oil leak at bottom back of engine. Turned outto be the rear main seal. Dealer installed new seal clutch& pressure plate under warranty. It now has 85 k with no further problems. From the look of your photos I would think you might have the same issue.

 

Same here (as previously posted). This owner has had dealer service up to this point and the notion that the problem is improper oil filter installation is ridiculous.

[Don_Eilenberger]

Well Kent - it appears we'll never know will we? No response. Comes drops a problem, gets a bunch of ideas then leaves with no resolution.

 

Those sort of selfish people really piss me off..

[racer7]

Didn't look like enough to worry about- much anyway. As long as the rear tire looks to stay clean, worry less and fix it eventually if it bugs you- assuming its even real.

Seen more than a few BMWs with modest amounts of oil on the motor or nearby bits. I'd be thrilled if it was mine and I didn't have to do seal(s)- getting old enough not to want to wrench "just for fun".