Uh oh! Help! Cream of mushroom soup

[Mainerider]

In the gearbox. This can't be good, but how bad is it?




Not much on the magnetic plug, just that bit on the rag above the plug in the pic.
This is on the new to me '81 R65 with 11,000 miles on the odometer.

[Mike V]

Linda Blair?.........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QjrBjdb2T8

Sorry, I couldn't resist.  

I've seen emulsified hypoid before but never in that shade unless there's a transmission oil color I don't know about.  You mention the bike is new to you ... so there's a possibility the previous owner may have put something in the form of a synthetic or ... ?  If it smells like burnt popcorn it's most likely hypoid.  I would change it every 100 miles or so with GL5 80w90 hypoid (pn 07 51 0 412 042) to see if it clears up and keep a close eye on that magnetic drain plug.  Pay special attention to the sound of your transmission when at full operating temperature for excessive noise.  My personal experience with a failing transmission due to water infiltration is the rear output bearing will be the first to go. A real bad rear output bearing will make plenty of noise when hot and rotating the rear wheel with the transmission in neutral.  Check that speedo cable boot for damage too.  If it's torn, and not subtle and soft I would replace it.

If your magnetic drain plug starts to look like this - it's time for a rebuild.

 Â 

[Barry]

Sure looks like water has got into the oil and as Mike said the speedo drive boot is usually the cause.  With  such a low mileage on the gearbox I hope it hasn't caused any corrosion in the bearings. Don't be tempted to flush the box with anything other than proper gear oil and Keep changing it until it comes out clean.  


If I'm not changing the transmission oils at a service one thing I do is remove the fill plugs to check the level and also to make sure it still looks like oil.

[montmil]

...and get your wife's nice stainless steel mixing bowl washed and put away before she kicks your drain plug!

 

[Luca]

I've seen emulsified hypoid before but never in that shade unless there's a transmission oil color I don't know about.

Fortunately for Mainerider, there are some green tinted gear oils, so it might not be as bad as it looks at first.  I think the Valvoline Durablend that I use is green

[Mainerider]

Ha! She's out of town. I'm sure you guys won't rat me out. Would you?

[Bob_Roller]

Most likely the speedometer drive cable boot is the problem here .

Replace it, and like has been said run it awhile then drain it and do it over until it looks good .

[Mike V]

I hope this all works out in your favor Mainerider.

Again ... don't pressure wash your bike guys and gals.  I enjoy a clean bike as much as anyone but I've learned the hard way year$ ago.  I would suggest if you insist on washing your bike with a forceful water stream to secure all points of entry by wrapping them with tape, plastic wrap or something, starting at the bottom and working up. Even that is no guarantee water will not enter at those points. And staying away from the speedo cable (and vented bolt), final drive vent, wheel bearing grease seals, brake drum, instruments, etc.  Look the bike over carefully before you start so you can strategically avoid areas water entry can cause damage.  Wash the bike, then go for a spirited 20 to 30 mile ride, then change your fluids when hot.  I try never to use a hose at all.  If I do, which is very seldom, it's with a very fine mist at very low pressure and adequate distance.  I find using a hand spray bottle with water to be much more time consuming but worth the effort for rinsing.  I now clean my bike with brake cleaner on aluminum (plastic brushes for stubborn areas), then 50/50 solution of water and Simple Green sparingly, then a rinse with water spray bottle.  Plenty of clean damp towels on painted and finish surfaces. Never wash the bike, and let it sit without getting it up to operating temperature for 20 or 30 minutes, by riding it.

Ok, off of my soap box.

[Justin B.]

And I thought the stuff that came out of the Junkyard Dawg was nasty!  If the stuff that came off the magnet was just "fuzz" (rubbing between fingers it really can't be felt then you are probably OK.  If you actually can feel some "grit" then it's time to keep a close eye on it...

[steve hawkins]

Not cream of mushroom, more like asparagus or pea.

Nothing technical to add at this late stage.  Its already been said.

Cheers

Rev. light

[montmil]

Not cream of mushroom, more like asparagus or pea....  Cheers  Rev. light

Toss in some oyster crackers and ya gotta meal! Guaranteed to keep the plumbing operating smoothly.

[montmil]

Not cream of mushroom, more like asparagus or pea....  Cheers  Rev. light

Toss in some oyster crackers and ya gotta meal! Guaranteed to keep the plumbing operating smoothly.

[Semper Gumby]

Not only replace the speedo boot but seal it with some RTV or rie-wrap the top of the bell (and use some RTV -top and bottom of the bell).

I change out my oils twice a year just to be on the safe side.  I use the Valvoline dark blue bottle (semi-synthetic) 80W90 in the winter and 85W145 in the summer.  The summer oil is a bit of an overkill but it gets me changing the oils twice a year.  All three places at the same time: rear diff 250cc , drive shaft 120cc, gearbox 800cc.

120,000 miles a still counting on the 03/1980 gear box.

[Luca]

I used silicone on the top of the boot once, but found that it let go of the cable pretty quickly.  Subsequently lifted the boot up and packed with dielectric grease.

[Mainerider]

Thanks, everyone. I popped over to Street Cycles, the local BMW dealership, tonight after dinner and got a bunch of various crush washers, an oil change kit and a roundel for the left side of the tank. I'll change the oil in the shaft and final drive, too, then get her registered so I can go for a ride.