K100RS main seal

[zipster68]

So the dealership replaced the main seal on my '86 K100RS in May of this year (under PO).  It's leaking engine oil from the weep hole at the bottom of the bell housing flange at a pretty good rate.  What other seals could contribute to this leak (clutch pushrod seal)?  Would it have been reasonable to expect the dealership (Detroit BMW) to replace all possible seals while they were in there in May?  Should all dynamic seals on a 30 year old bike be suspect?  Hopefully warranty will cover this fix, but I'm interested in opinions.  Bike is back at the dealer now.
Thanks,
Ray

[jay1622]

Good morning! Did they replace the RMS, or the o-ring? I've seen people mistakenly confuse one with the other. If they did do the RMS, was it to the updated depth? (That did change at some point if I'm not mistaken) Regardless, I can't imagine they would've changed the RMS and not have replaced the o-ring. It's darn-near impossible to hyper-extend the inner flange on the RMS, but anything is possible. First off; however... We're sure it's motor oil and not gear oil, right? And, it's definitely from the weep hole, and not along the seam of the engine to intermediate flange?

[zipster68]

It's definitely motor oil and from the weep hole.  Other than that, all I know is that it was the rear main seal.  Saving a few bucks not replacing o-rings would be stupid.

[Laitch]

So the dealership replaced the main seal on my '86 K100RS in May of this year (under PO). . . . It's definitely motor oil and from the weep hole..

Was that documented or was it a tale told to sell a bike?

If it was leaking oil, was taken to a dealership so they would correct the oil leak and now is still leaking oil, the dealership failed to correct the problem. It's their responsibility to remedy this if it can be documented.  If it is documented, dealership service outcomes like this—many of us have had them—are a reason why some of us who have the means, time and inclination do our own maintenance, struggling through discussions and research about causes along with trial-and-error repairs.

The alternative is to find an approachable, independent wrench experienced with K-bikes who has a good reputation.

 

[zipster68]

I trust the local guy that sold me the bike.  The dealership looked it up and verified that it was in for a main rear seal in May.  But....if the leak isn't the rear main seal this time, I may not be covered.  That's why I'm asking what else could leak, and what is typically changed out when they (dealer) services the rear main seal.  Pretty decent leak after riding when the oil is hot and the viscosity is low, maybe 10-15 drops until it cools down.  Once cold the leak slows to a drop a day.

[jay1622]

Do you have the receipts from this service by any chance? If so, scan the work order and see what parts were used if listed. Go to realoem.com, enter the last seven of your VIN in the requisite field and go to the engine category. Find that RMS and the o-ring part numbers... Select them individually and determine historical and current part numbers, and see what exactly was replaced/serviced/repaired.

Do your due diligence and begin to learn the part diagrams, and the functions for each of the sub-categories. If you don't know what your looking for, open google and type "k100 rear main seal" and/or "k100 clutch o-ring". Again, this is if you don't know one from the other.

If you don't have the paperwork, there is always the RARE chance the dealer/service shop will tell you.

[zipster68]

Don't have the paperwork unfortunately.  Will ask the dealer for a copy though.