Oil Leak

[billybiker]

I've just done a full service on my K1200LT (2003/16K miles) and all seemed well until I noticed a drip of oil on the path after a ride. At first I thought it was just the round filter cover, which has a thin rubber "ring" as a gasket. I changed the oil again, double checked everything, and replaced the sealing ring but the bike is still leaking. Its not easy to see where the oil is coming from and as I can't tell any change in the oil level after doing 190 miles yesterday, it can't be coming out under pressure, but I don't want the path covered in oil drips so any ideas? Bit sad when a bike of this "pedigree" starts leaking after so few miles.

[wilbar00c]

It could be weeping from the "O" ring that is part of the rear main seal. More of a time related item then mileage. You can ride thousands of miles with this weep, just cleaning the bottom of the engine fins and the bottom of the trans. See this thread. Read comment by TAZ in that thread.

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=238617#poststop

HTH. B.B.

[billybiker]

Thanks for the link. I think the leak is at the front of the engine and I'm going to have to investigate as the bike now leaves three or four good size "blobs" of oil when I park. I believe it may be the oil/water pump housing???

I didn't know you had a Glastonbury as well-wheres CT??

[dshealey]

Fairly common on earlier LTs, the timing chain cover would develop a leak. It is sealed to the crankcase with sealant, no gasket. To fix it you have to remove the valve cover and crank cover, then remove the timing cover and re-seal. I used Permatex Ultra Black Gasket maker.

The hardest part is getting the wires for the temp and oil pressure senders out. Easiest way is to remove the tank, then the electrical box covers, then unplug the wires there. The connectors at the sendors will not fit through the holes necessary.

If you bike is under warranty, take it to a dealer for warranty repair.

[Zotter]

Billy, CT is the Post Office abreviation for Connecticut. A small state in the North East of the US - New England area.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connecticut

[billybiker]

Billy, CT is the Post Office abreviation for Connecticut. A small state in the North East of the US - New England area.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connecticut

Oh right, thanks! I guessed CT was on the other side! So I suppose it would have been one of the early "British" areas? I'll have a look at that link later but I've a few more questions for the "experts".

I've discovered the source of my oil leak, its coming from the oil/water pump and I've downloaded the instructions for this particular fix and am now well into my strip down. Questions are what sort of anti-freeze do I need for fill up. The book says "nitrate free" but none of my anti-freeze mentions this particular additive.

Second question is I found a red/yellow and brown wire going to a plug (on the RH side of the bike), identical to the one on the LH side of the bike which goes to the external power socket-do some bikes have 2 sockets, one on each side, and should this wire be left in place?

Third question is that I found 2 rubber tubes (coming from around the bottom of the fuel tank or maybe they just go past this point), which came to an end by the bottom of the radiator with connectors on the end. There were 2 spare tubes going up towards the handlebars-should these pipes be connected? What are they? They look like some kind of breathers.

Final question, I can get into the radiator cap, and could fill it by funnel and pipe without removing the tank-I think? Any advice about re-filling the water system as easily as possible?

Thanks!

[Jburwell]

I had that trouble the first time change oil on the LT. I check pan, redid, tight bolts till one broke etc.

Turn out the problem was very simple. The oil fill cap on the Lt takes about 5 to 10 turn for the o-ring to seal. On my CLC it's about a 1/2 turn. I wasn't tighting the fill cap and it was leaking there. Simple fix, feel like a fool. You should check as very simple to fix.

[wilbar00c]

Here is a link for the other Glastonbury in Connecticut. http://glastonburyct.virtualtownhall.net/Public_Documents/index

[billybiker]

Here is a link for the other Glastonbury in Connecticut. http://glastonburyct.virtualtownhall.net/Public_Documents/index

Thanks-isn't the internet wonderful! It gives the distance of Glastonbury from the nearest towns-funnily enough we are also close to Boston and "old York" not so close to Hertford though!

Have got the bike back together now, the oil leak was from the oil pump/crank seal. Have just run the bike and so far so good!

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/billybiker/P1010060.jpg

This was the culprit, oil dripping from the front of the water pump.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/billybiker/P1010081.jpg

not sure which bit was leaking!

[LAF]

Hell of a place for NO gasket.

Lee

[billybiker]

Seems to work, most of the time!

[billybiker]

Do some LTs have 2 power sockets at the front? Mine seems to have the wiring for one on the RH (starboard) side but no plug??

[BecketMa]

Yup.

Wires there, along with wires for the fuel pump (if I remember correctly), but not outlet (inlet?) to connect the wires to.

Without knowing too much about the hoses in that area, I assume the extra hoses are for a required canister in the USA, which many people either just disconnect, or remove.

Bob

[billybiker]

OK, thanks for that. I've bought an extra plug from my local dealer so might have a go at fitting it. Seems I just need to drill a hole in the plastic. I'm quite keen to have the extra socket as it will allow me to plug in my heated jacket and keep the GPS powered all the time.