Sump Pan Off - Good News/Bad News

[Crossrodes]

First the Bad News:

I also took the oil filter out.  The first problem is that the oil filter is partially flattened.  It is a K&N one piece filter (as opposed to the BMW filters that flex in the middle).  Is this due to a bad filter or some other problem in the oiling system?

The second problem is that when I removed the sump pan I noticed that one of the cast domes that are the threaded receptacles for the studs that hold the oil filter housing was cracked.  I'm guessing that at one time someone installed a stud that was too long or that some debris was in the threaded dome and when a stud was tightened it blew the top off the dome.  On further inspection the end of the dome fell off when I touched it and I was able to retrieve it.  I'm guessing that I could clean up the area and with a little luck would be able to re-attach and seal the dome with some JB Weld...It would be tricky because of where it is located.  On the other hand I have sufficient thread left to hold the stud when everything is put back together and a little thread sealant should keep it from leaking oil without re-attaching the dome.  Has anyone experienced this and what was your solution?

The good news is that I caught these problems before any engine damage could occur (hopefully).

[montmil]

Collapsed oil filters, especially the longies, are usually caused by insufficient warm up time during frosty weather. Cold oil, cold ambient temps, too soon the rev up... all are contributors to a collapsed filter.

"blew the top off the dome"... OK, I'm kinda lost. Might you post up a photo?

Monte

[Crossrodes]

I'll see what I can do about a photo.

I have ridden in cool weather but ususlly nothing below about 8 Celcius (50 ish). And I do allow for some warm up until I can ride without the choke and don't rev too high when cold (about 3500 max).

[Crossrodes]

I have downloaded the pics to my computer but can't figure out how to publish them.  Can anyone tell me what I have to do?

[nhmaf]

When you say "dome", perhaps you mean the oil sump pickup    (circular mesh screened looking thing ?)

To post a picture, you can try to upload it to the photo gallery on this forum and put a link to it in your post  (third tiny square button from the top left corner in the message edit pane at the bottom of the browser window when composing a post) that says "Insert Image"   - this is where you'd put the link to the picture on the hosting pc (not your desktop/laptop pc).    But, I've had alot of issues with the earlier versions of the photo gallery on this forum, and I use a free account on photobucket.com   - you can upload dozens of pics and store them there for free, and link to them from these forum postings.

[Crossrodes]

When I said dome I was taling about the section of the engine case that the oil filter cover screws into.  The "dome" shape is cast into the case.  The "dome" is tapped to hold one of the 3 the stud/screws.  When you remove the sump and look inside the engine case you will see this dome in the casting.  It is about the size of you little finger tip.

[Barry]

I have downloaded the pics to my computer but can't figure out how to publish them.Can anyone tell me what I have to do?

To post a picture click on the "insert image" icon 3rd in from the left on the top row. This puts the "img"code shown below in your post. Then click on the browse button and locate the image file on your computer highlight the file and click open. This puts the path to the file in the box as shown. My image file was on the desktop.


Hope your filter is not crushed as badly as mine was. Here's the thread complete with scary pictures

http://www.bmwr65.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1269110468/0#0

[Crossrodes]

Thanks guys.  The first pic is the outside of the oil filter unit showing the bottom stud that hold the plate.  The second pic show inside the case showing the lower part of the "dome" which is part of the casting into which the lower stud screws into.  The end of the stud is missing in this pic.

Hope this works.

[Crossrodes]

Barry I checked out your thread.  My filter looked exactly like yours.  I will remove the outer layer of filtering material to see what the filter itself looks like.  From now on I will check the dimensions using your chart.

[azcycle]

I was going to stop by the local BMW shop and pick up a couple OEM hinged filters as my bike is in need of an oil change. It'll be my first time changing the oil, and frankly, I'm a bit intimidated by all the talk about measuring and compressing o-rings and shims.  Looks like I'm going to have to go and buy a digital caliper just to change the oil.

Seems like an awful pain in the rear for a simple oil change.

Will the new filters I purchase come with new o-rings and shims or do I have to buy those separately?

[Mike V]

Graeme,

I agree it can be a PIA, but it's a one time thing. You can pick up a great digital 6" caliper from HF for $15 or less. Take the measurements and record it and I wouldn't worry about it for a few years.  Main thing is after the initial measurement and correct shim & o-ring determination is made; make sure your white O-ring is getting sufficient compression - the corners should be squared-off a bit after removal.  I use Oak's 10% to 25% compression formula for this.

About the filters...you can order them as a kit or the filter alone.  I have a stock of gaskets, shims and o-rings on hand. I just discovered EME is offering BMW OEM oil filters (w/o oil coolers) in a 5-pack for under $25. Great deal even without the o-rings, shims and gaskets. Much better deal than the single filter I bought at my local dealership last week at $21.00.  I didn't even get a kiss after that screwing.

http://www.euromotoelectrics.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=filters

[Ed Miller]

Crossroads, are you saying there's a stud going into the motor casting, or are you talking about the bolt/cap screw?

Probably the ideal fix would be to get the area clean enough for the fussiest welder to repair, sort of welding a cap over that area.  If you can't get it clean enough to weld I don't know that JB weld would work either.  Maybe your thread sealant idea would work.  It's certainly easier.

[Barry]

On the other hand I have sufficient thread left to hold the stud when everything is put back together and a little thread sealant should keep it from leaking oil without re-attaching the dome.

Can't see why this wouldn't work. It might not look original but maybe you could replace all 3 bolts with studs and use domed nuts to finish it off neatly. Might have to check clearance with the exhaust pipe though.

[azcycle]

Graeme,

I agree it can be a PIA, but it's a one time thing. You can pick up a great digital 6" caliper from HF for $15 or less. Take the measurements and record it and I wouldn't worry about it for a few years.  Main thing is after the initial measurement and correct shim & o-ring determination is made; make sure your white O-ring is getting sufficient compression - the corners should be squared-off a bit after removal.  I use Oak's 10% to 25% compression formula for this.

About the filters...you can order them as a kit or the filter alone.  I have a stock of gaskets, shims and o-rings on hand. I just discovered EME is offering BMW OEM oil filters (w/o oil coolers) in a 5-pack for under $25. Great deal even without the o-rings, shims and gaskets. Much better deal than the single filter I bought at my local dealership last week at $21.00.  I didn't even get a kiss after that screwing.

http://www.euromotoelectrics.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=filters

Thanks, Mike. I'll pick up that set of filters and get a bunch of o-rings and shims from BikeBandit or somesuch. I was thinking about Harbor Freight for the caliper.  

Sorry for the thread derail, everyone...

[Crossrodes]

Ed, Barry, they are studs in there now (boy I guess I really was unclear about this...fuzzy like my pics maybe   ).  Anyway I think I will try just using the studs that I have with some sealant.  It has worked so far with the crack that was in the "dome" before so I don't see why it wouldn't continue to work.  But I can see (and maybe you can too from the pics) that I had a little oil mist coming our from around the filter plate...probably from that stud.

Mike, good lead about those filters.  I've just emailed them to see if they will mail them up her.  I'll be using Barry's chart from now on when I install them.