BMW K100/K75 Waterpump woes [SOLVED]

[sebas2357]

Thanks for the reply Laitch. I figured that the leak probably meant bad news. I haven't gotten a chance to really run the bike given that I'm awaiting a new battery. I'm going to ride the bike a bit with the leak and see how it holds up. At the current rate, it drips 1 droplet times every 20 seconds. Worse cast scenario, if it gets any worse or the coolant begins to mix with oil, I'll probably re-do the seals.

[CTDOM!]

Unfortunately, if it dripping that fast now, I don't think that that bodes well for when it is pressurized and hot.

[Laitch]

I don't think that that bodes well ...

Indisputable, if not necessarily prescient.    At its current rate it's leaking a little over 0.6 quarts per month.  Mind the coloration of the oil, seb. You don't want to screw up the engine by trying to ride on the knife's edge.

[sebas2357]

I feel like a rock in a hard place  . This is what I'm going to do:
1. Run the bike
2. Enjoy the oil and coolant waterworks
3. Cry.

Just kidding
I'm going to order a new set of seals tonight and just get the job done right. No point of waiting to see if the leak intensifies, sooner or later, it will get worse I assume. Given that I'm in-store for a part two rebuild, would I need to replace both seals (11 41 1 460 329 and 11 41 1 741 870) again or just the spring-type seal (11 41 1 741 870)?
Seb

[frankenduck]

If you see frothy bubbles on top of the oil in the sight glass right after a ride then that's an indication that water/coolant is leaking into the engine oil. Water is a good lubricant for water park slides. Engines not so much.

[Laitch]

Water is a good lubricant for water park slides. Engines not so much.

So that's the reason Six Flags didn't have on oil slide park? I thought it was the cost, and that management couldn't settle among themselves the mineral-or-synthetic argument.

[Laitch]

would I need to replace both seals (11 41 1 460 329 and 11 41 1 741 870) again or just the spring-type seal (11 41 1 741 870)?

Feeling lucky?

[sebas2357]

That answers my question. 

[sebas2357]

Quick update, I ran the bike and took quick test drive to see how everything is.  As far as the coolant drip goes, it drips at a lower rate now, about 1 drop every 40 or so seconds. (I'm going to rebuild the pump again next week.) I have another concern now. It seems that the bike now smokes a pale white smoke, along with a smell of something hot. I'm assuming this is coolant leaking into the oil and burning in the engine, but I didn't observe any frothing in the oil sight glass. Am I correct in assuming the white smoke is attributed to the pump leak?

[Laitch]

Don't assume anything. If a head gasket is leaking, you'll get white smoke from vaporizing coolant, too. You could do a compression check or check the coolant for exhaust gas to check for that; however, until the pump was restored, if this were my moto I'd follow this rule:
¿Si tus problemas tienen soluciones, por qué te preoccupas, y si tus problems no tienen soluciones, por qué te preocupas?

[sebas2357]

Another update, this time it's finally good news!  The smoke that I was experiencing has finally cleared up. It was attributed to condensation in the engine/exhaust since the bike was sitting for 3 weeks. After taking the bike out for a nice hour long ride, it cleared up and runs like a champ. The coolant leak has now ceased as well! Checking the oil sight glass reveals no contamination, and the coolant is clean as well. After my ride, the weep hole was bone dry; I also checked for blockage and all is well. Seems like everything is looking up now. I'm going to keep an eyes on things, but for now, I think I can claim my victory. Thank you to everyone, especially Laitch, your input was invaluable . I'l keep this thread updated if any other related issues arise.

Seb

[Laitch]

It's too early to start the party, seb. Break out the chapatis and Dr Pepper in 1000 miles. 

[sebas2357]

Break out the chapatis and Dr Pepper in 1000 miles. 

If only my odometer worked...  I'll guesstimate, and we'll celebrate at the 1k.

[stokester]

If only my odometer worked...  I'll guesstimate, and we'll celebrate at the 1k.

Next project = odometer gears?

[frankenduck]

If only my odometer worked...  I'll guesstimate, and we'll celebrate at the 1k.

About 21 gallons of gas.

[sebas2357]

Next project = odometer gears?

Definitely on my list of to dos! Although, the odo is broken due to my broken speedo. The simple fixes (cleaning various connections/contacts) didn't work. After this waterpump episode concludes, I'll get around to finding the source of the problem.

About 21 gallons of gas.

Nice, you saved me from doing some math. Thanks! 

[sebas2357]

It's too early to start the party, seb. Break out the chapatis and Dr Pepper in 1000 miles. 

1000 mile update, no more drips  . Chapatis and Dr Pepper are finally out

Cheers,

Seb