Engine Oil in the Bean Can

[Barry]

Is it normal for a small amount of engine oil to migrate into the Bean Can.  I've noticed it twice now at the annual sevice. Cleaned it out the first time but it's back again. It hasn't caused a running problem so far - points are clean. The large o-ring at the back of the can is ok.

[nhmaf]

I would say that if it were just a "film" or mist of oil inside that wouldn't be abnormal, but if there is enough such that it can collect into a visible "puddle" at the bottom of the can, that isn't so good.    The O ring may appear superficially to be OK, but it may still be allowing some leakage, though if there is a problem it may not be at the O ring, but further back at the front of the crank.     Some others have had more recent experience working in this area who will probably ring in shortly..

[Barry]

There was a small puddle of oil. I would say a teaspoon full at most.

[montmil]

Replace that O-ring. A "teaspoon of oil" is more than expected.

Monte

[Justin B.]

If the oil was all up inside the can, and none on the outside, then I wouldn't think the big O-ring to be the culprit.  I've always had "external" oiling when that went bad.  The last time I had a 'can apart I don't remember any seal on it's input shaft.  If you wiggle the coupling around is there any play?

[Barry]

The oil is only on the inside of the can which does seem to rule out the o-ring      There is no excess play in the shaft. I know it's engine oil from the dark colour.
I've managed to find an article on overhauling the bean can at the link below. It shows a number of washers on the shaft but no proper oil seal as such so maybe a bit of oil is normal.  The bean can shown in the article is not exactly spotless inside.  I guess I'll just check it again next year.



http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=394966

[montmil]

Good link, Barry. Thanks.  Rick Jones has my bean can right now for an overhaul. Taking a bit longer than the time quoted on his Motorrad site. Sigh...

Monte

[Justin B.]

Monte, that'll teach you to get lazy!  

Barry, I think (from what I remember having a couple of these apart) these "washers" are very thin and I was speculating they were a shim stack to tune the shaft end-play.  I didn't see any kind of seal.  Once you think about it a little "oiling" in the advance section might not be that bad of an idea!  The can in our '80 R65 was bone-dry in that area and everythiong was rusted together...  

[montmil]

Monte, that'll teach you to get lazy!  

And here's a small flash advisory... Got a response from Rick as to when I might expect delivery of my Hall sensor and overhauled bean-o can. Come to find out, Rick does not do this work hisownself but farms it out to a guy who, "had to work out of town this week. He should have it done this weekend and I'll have it maybe Wednesday." Wednesday being 05 November. Then shipped back to me. Total time approx three weeks+. Double sigh... :-/

At $175.00, still cheaper than the lowest price I found at $469.00 / Chicago BMW. It's all good.[smiley=thumbup.gif]

Monte