R1200ST leaker

[beemermark]

At 18,000 miles the output shaft (of the transmission) seal started leaking. It was replaced under warranty in Feb or March of this year. Tonight I noticed it's leaking again, with only about 2000 miles on the replacement. Having the seal fail at 18,000 miles seemed very unusual, having it fail again in 2000 miles seems even more unusual. While it's possible the mechanic somehow screwed up it seems unlikely. Anybody else out there having troubles like this? Any ideas what else could be wrong - maybe the rear shaft bearing?

[jdiaz]

The shaft may have been gouged when the original seal was installed, and its just going to go thru seals forever until the gouge gets dressed with a jeweler file.

[beemermark]

Good point about the shaft. Did a lot of internet searching and see leaking shaft seals seem to be a new BMW design feature.

[JimVonBaden1]

This is NOT an unusual leak. Nearly every 05 to mid 06 R1200 I personally know of has had a similar leak. They seem to usually work after the first fix, though not always. I was told that it originally was improper installation, and this could easily be the same repeat issue.

Jim :brow

PS Mine was fixed 27K miles ago without a repeat.

[tbryant]

Oddly enough, my 06 RT had a few drops there but has not returned after being cleaned about 8k miles ago, with 46k total now. Seal has not been replaced. The bike exhibited what appeared to be an input seal (moisture "beard" where engine and trans mate) but that has not returned, either. We (Iron Horse in Tucson, and I), are thinking it may have been caused by a venting problem that some of the 05s and 06s experienced and was actually coming from above. I continue to monitor closely but the leaks have not returned. Your issue is obviously different and I would not let it get out of warranty, as I did, without resolution. Our R12C just had the seals at both ends of the drive line replaced...trans output and FD input, both were leaking. This is the second "pinion seal" in the last 10 months, which they stood behind. I'm a little gun shy about BMW's ability to seal up a motorcycle but when they are working well, there's nothing like them and I will continue to buy them.

Terry

[HexST]

I feel left out no leaks or rear end failures after 40,900 miles probably will change tomorrow though.

[JimVonBaden1]

I feel left out no leaks or rear end failures after 40,900 miles probably will change tomorrow though.

If you are that far you have dodged the bullet!:laugh

Jim :brow

[beemermark]

Ended up taking it to Capital Cycle in Raleigh. The transmission shaft was nicked on both ends causing both seal to leak. They replaced the shaft, rebuilt the transmission and talked BMW into paying a warranty claim (by the time I got there it was way out of warranty).

Not only that they pretty much did the 24K tune up (at 27K) for parts only, no labor. I know most dealers would still charge you flat rate labor even though most of it had to be done since the bike was tore apart.

However I wonder about factory quality control that could bung up a shaft at the factory.

[gulfcoastbeemer]

Anybody else out there having troubles like this? Any ideas what else could be wrong - maybe the rear shaft bearing?

I have a leaking gear box on an '07 R1200RT, but I'm not sure of the exact location of the leak -- it could be one of several seals, the case vent, etc.

My BMW dealer refuses to fix my gear box leak because he says it isn't leaking fast enough to cause a puddle of oil on the ground. By his rather arbitrary assessment of what should be serviced, the leak will never by repaired. He did ask if I had some JUNK DEGREASER. WTF?

I've found the gear box is currently loosing about 100cc of gear oil about every 2,500 miles.

The oil seems to drip from the case onto the exhaust system, causing a lovely aroma of burnt oil. It drives me crazy.

[PGlaves]

I have a leaking gear box on an '07 R1200RT, but I'm not sure of the exact location of the leak -- it could be one of several seals, the case vent, etc.

My BMW dealer refuses to fix my gear box leak because he says it isn't leaking fast enough to cause a puddle of oil on the ground. By his rather arbitrary assessment of what should be serviced, the leak will never by repaired. He did ask if I had some JUNK DEGREASER. WTF?

I've found the gear box is currently loosing about 100cc of gear oil about every 2,500 miles.

The oil seems to drip from the case onto the exhaust system, causing a lovely aroma of burnt oil. It drives me crazy.

Let's see. That transmission holds about 800 or 850 cc of gear oil. Change interval is 12,000 miles. So if it loses 100 cc every 2,500 miles it will lose about 60% of the oil between scheduled changes. AND YOUR DEALER DOESN'T THINK THIS IS A PROBLEM?

I wonder what he would think if you just rode the bike, trying to make it to the next 12,000 mile service. I figure that somewhere about 8,000 miles, or sooner, the transmission would turn itself into scrap metal unless you kept adding oil.

Who is this genius dealer we should look out for??

[Noel Dinan]

My ST has developed a similar leak - only 13000 miles. First noticed this leak 3 months out of warranty but did not do anything about it. Dealer estimates 7 hours of labor to fix. Any advice on how to proceed?. Will seal replacement eliminate the issue or can I expect this to be a recurring issue??

[JimVonBaden1]

My ST has developed a similar leak - only 13000 miles. First noticed this leak 3 months out of warranty but did not do anything about it. Dealer estimates 7 hours of labor to fix. Any advice on how to proceed?. Will seal replacement eliminate the issue or can I expect this to be a recurring issue??

In almost all cases, the first fix is the only one needed. It just depends on if the dealer does it right. Their warranty should be good for a year, and if you ride at least 6K miles after the fix during that year, you will know if he did it right.

Jim :brow

[briana]

More info here on my leaky ST seal at 36k.

Brian

http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=552413#Post552413