Check transmission fluid

[thessler]

This may be a dumb question, but how do we correctly check tranny fluid level ?

I pulled a plug on the side of the tranny and white frothy fluid came pouring out. I am assuming this plug should be the fill/level plug ?
If that is the case this thing is way over filled, I can't imagine how they got so much fluid in there.
I did a diligent search on the net for this info before I bothered you guys again, and came up empty.

1984 R65
 Thanks for any info, Tom

[Bob_Roller]

That's the plug, but from your description, you may have water in the transmission oil .

I would drain it, fill it and run  it a while and then drain it again .

The usual suspect here, is the rubber boot that covers the speedometer drive cable where it enters the transmission on the right side .

If it looses it's grip on the speedometer cable and allows water into the transmission any time the bike is ridden in the rain, or gets washed .

[Semper Gumby]

Hi Tom,

The tranny takes about 800cc if you want to put in a measured amount.  I usually fill it up till it starts running out the side hole.

If you are getting water in the tranny you prolly have water in the drive shaft (sorry).  Fluid from the drive shaft will back fill into the tranny once you are above about 70 mph for an extended time.  Most of us avoid this by putting in about 100-120cc of gear oil in the drive shaft.  This prevents the gear oil from migrating forward from the drive shaft to the tranny at high speeds.  BYW - I believe Oak says it is OK to have as little as 50cc in the final drive but I am not willing to go that low.

So drain the drive shaft.  You will prolly find it is milky as well.  If this is the case the water is prolly getting in through the speedo cable rubber bell.  Or in some cases through a leaky speedo with a busted reset button in the glass face - running down the speedo cable and into the drive shaft (sorry again).  Look at the rubber bell - if it is not perfect then replace it.  Most of us put either some RTV or some large shrink wrap tubing around the top of the rubber bell.  Another possible source of water is the drive shaft boot.  The rubber oxidizes.  If it shows any signs of cracking - replace it.

The most you should allow the gear oil to remain in the Tranny/Drive Shaft/Final Drive is One (1) year.  Mine gets replaced twice a year because I use a heavier weight oil in the summer than the winter but that is another story....


Good luck.   [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif]  

[georgesgiralt]

Hello,
Putting more oil in the tranny as BMW specified is easy. Lay the bike on the right cylinder and you can put a litre into it... Not the thing to do, though...
If I where you, I'll rinse the gearbox using Diesel petrol, ride around one kilometre, drain it and put good 80W90 gearbox oil in it. This time only the 800 CC specified... I'll do the oil change also at the transmission shaft and rear shaft also...
Check the rubber boots as already advised because bearings hate water, even diluted or emulsified in the oil. Changing a rubber boot is cheap. Opening the gearbox to change all ball bearings is not... And driving season is approaching so you do not want to have the bike at the mechanics during that time ....

[thessler]

Ok
Today is oil day.
Thanks for all the help.
 Tom  

[jcsaintp]

Any recommendations for the rubber boot over the trip odometer reset button? I noticed mine was perished when I picked up my 'new' bike. RePsycle glued on a little rubber boot (eye dropper?) which is really stiff and didn't allow the button to be depressed even with significant pressure. Rather than break anything I twisted the knob off and reset. Looks like there is a nut behind the glass / if front of the instrument face that might of had something to do with the boot at some point. Is the front face (glass) removable to faciliatet repair or best left alone?
Thanks,
Jeremy  

[montmil]

Jeremy, removing the bezel to access the speedo innards can be brutal... to the bezel and to your wallet. Without a replacement trip odo button thingy on hand, there's no reason to booger up the bezel. Danger, Will Robinson!

One of our forum members, wirespokes, has the skill set to repair these instruments. He may have the push button you desire. I'd bet the button would be part of his repair service charge.

On one of my R65s, I just pushed a black, vinyl vacuum cap into the hole to seal off water. I don't miss an odometer.

[georgesgiralt]

Can't find it now, but I think I saw some rubber trip protection repair available in some German shop. Maybe Moto Bayer ?

[jcsaintp]

Thanks for responses. I think RePsycle used a vinyl vacuum cap as suggested. I'm inclined not to 'mess with a going concern' at this point. Might be best to 'reseal' boot with a touch of RTV and leave well enough alone.

Thanks,
Jeremy

[montmil]

... Might be best to 'reseal' boot with a touch of RTV and leave well enough alone.
Thanks,
Jeremy

If you're talking about the rubber boot on the speedo cable at the gearbox, Lift it up just enough to pack the inside with grease and push it back in place. That will likely do a better job of preventing water entry than trying a goop-sealer.

[jcsaintp]

Good suggestion re speedo boot (engine end) but I was referring to trip odometer reset button. It has gone the way of all good things. RePyscle glued a vinyl vacuum cap(?) but was too stiff to actuate button. I removed, reset button and replaced but didn't reseal. Sounds like I should reseal with RTV(?) and live without until I can find better solution or live without period. Sounds like better than having water get in to the gauge (and beyond). Make sense?

Thanks,
Jeremy

[nhmaf]

There is a source for those rubber button covers - I just gotta dig some more to find where I filed it away...

[jcsaintp]

BMW Odometer Reset Buttons

Kit available here:
http://store.bobsbmw.com/product/odometer-reset-button-repair-kit

Kit available and article on replacement:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=361995

[montmil]

Pricey little boogers, ain't they. I used a toothpick and the afore mentioned vacuum cap until I went digital with the Vapor.

[Barry]

Is this top mounted odometer reset a late model thing or does it vary by market ?

My odometer reset is underneath.