R100 Final drive leaking

whitham_wannabe · 01-18-2013, 09:00 AM

My R100 sidecar is outside of work , all loaded up for Snow Camp, and I just noticed a bunch of fluid all over the back wheel.

It appears to be coming out of the plug on the top of the drive unit. Any clues as to what the heck is going on here? It certainly doesn't look good ...

I guess my weekend plans might be changing ....

gonerydin · 01-18-2013, 10:30 AM

You see this a lot in COLD weather. You could switch to lighter viscosity oil or... just ignore it.

whitham_wannabe · 01-18-2013, 11:15 AM

Seriously? It is very cold right now, about 26 degrees riding in this morning.

I am all about ignoring problems ...

ignatz72 · 01-18-2013, 12:30 PM

When was the last time a fresh, NEW crush washer was used on the fill bolt? I'd bet a few fills ago...

*edit* just noticed it looks like the breather is puking too, you sure it's not overfilled?

I would not lower the viscosity of the gear oil, 80/90 hypoid.

You'll likely get more answers quickly if you have a mod move this to the Airheads sub-forum.

Beemerguru · 01-18-2013, 01:24 PM

Pull the fill plug and check the level..may be down a tiny bit. Cold weather caused the heavy molassis fluid to puke until it warms up a bit.

Stay with 75-95.

Ride to warm up, clean off...ride again to make sure it's not the housing gasket.

Wirespokes · 01-18-2013, 07:51 PM

I've seen this happen numerous times when it's cold. Fill it with synthetic instead and I think that should handle it. A failing transmission output seal can cause this same symptom, but circumstances don't point that direction.

01-18-2013, 09:00 AM	#1
whitham_wannabe ^OP Studly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2008 Location: Mukilteo, WA Oddometer: 798	R100 Final drive leaking My R100 sidecar is outside of work , all loaded up for Snow Camp, and I just noticed a bunch of fluid all over the back wheel. It appears to be coming out of the plug on the top of the drive unit. Any clues as to what the heck is going on here? It certainly doesn't look good ... I guess my weekend plans might be changing .... __________________ From a WW1 RAF Flight Manual ... "If a crash at the home airfield is inevitable, try to hit something soft and, preferably, inexpensive" Travels With Bruce : More Travels With Bruce

01-18-2013, 11:15 AM	#3
whitham_wannabe ^OP Studly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2008 Location: Mukilteo, WA Oddometer: 798	Seriously? It is very cold right now, about 26 degrees riding in this morning. I am all about ignoring problems ... __________________ From a WW1 RAF Flight Manual ... "If a crash at the home airfield is inevitable, try to hit something soft and, preferably, inexpensive" Travels With Bruce : More Travels With Bruce

01-18-2013, 12:30 PM	#4
ignatz72 call me iggy Joined: Aug 2010 Location: Mid-South, M-town Oddometer: 600	When was the last time a fresh, NEW crush washer was used on the fill bolt? I'd bet a few fills ago... edit just noticed it looks like the breather is puking too, you sure it's not overfilled? I would not lower the viscosity of the gear oil, 80/90 hypoid. You'll likely get more answers quickly if you have a mod move this to the Airheads sub-forum. __________________ Current: 93 R100GS, 04 XR650L Prior: 73 CB350, 77 R100/7, 83 R100RT I love every motorcycle I've owned and even some that I haven't. ignatz72 screwed with this post 01-18-2013 at 12:39 PM

01-18-2013, 01:24 PM	#5
Beemerguru Beemerguru...G/S guy Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Foster City, CA Oddometer: 635	Pull the fill plug and check the level..may be down a tiny bit. Cold weather caused the heavy molassis fluid to puke until it warms up a bit. Stay with 75-95. Ride to warm up, clean off...ride again to make sure it's not the housing gasket. __________________ Greg Hutchinson BMW Club of Northern California, Ambassador, BMW MOA, Vice President Vintage BMW Club http://gregsgssite.shutterfly.com/

01-18-2013, 07:51 PM	#6
Wirespokes Beemerholics Anonymous Joined: Jul 2002 Location: Jackson's Bottom Oregon Oddometer: 7,354	I've seen this happen numerous times when it's cold. Fill it with synthetic instead and I think that should handle it. A failing transmission output seal can cause this same symptom, but circumstances don't point that direction. __________________ Wanted: Dead, smashed, crashed or trashed gauges BMW GAUGE REPAIRS - TACHSPEEDOCLOCKVOLT METER PODs & LIGHT BOARD*

01-18-2013, 10:30 AM	#2
gonerydin n00b Joined: Feb 2012 Oddometer: 6	You see this a lot in COLD weather. You could switch to lighter viscosity oil or... just ignore it.

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