I have a 2009 R1200GS and the oil is leaking from the seal around the oil sight glass. Anyone have suggestions on how to safely remove the sight glass? I have removed the retaining clip and the clear plastic portion. I am worried about damaging the area around the seal while prying it out. Any thoughts would be most appreciated. I sent a previous thread about the final drive lubrication and got some very helpful hints. I really appreciate the help. Wonderful forum!
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Oil sight glass leaking
- Thread starter ncbmw
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- oil sight glass
Although not for the R1200GS, there are a number of threads in the Similar Threads pane at the bottom of the screen. I also used the Tag Cloud to search for "sight glass" and ran across this one for Hex/Camheads:
https://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?89061-Oil-level-sight-glass-replacement
Others may have specific recommendations but the above provides some things to read and ponder!
https://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?89061-Oil-level-sight-glass-replacement
Others may have specific recommendations but the above provides some things to read and ponder!
I will be following your progress on this, as my 2008 RT Oil Glass is so dirty that is essentially useless. I read the links provided by others and they do not give me a warm fuzzy feeling that this is something I want to mess with. I am also confused... is it plastic or glass ? Or are there two pieces involved - one glass one plastic ?
I wonder how much the dealer would charge to put a new one in there. I change my oil quite often just so I know that the level should never get too low, but I would really like to be able to use the glass for its intended purpose.
I’m not familiar w/ your model,but if it is the same as a K75:
When you change your oil next time.
Exactly!
Then clean out the seal area and find a socket to use as a drift to tap the new sight glass in. Nothing larger than the OD of the seal and only touching the exterior of the seal face, so as to not damage the metal on the engine block nor the “glass” face. Tap evenly till it seats to the bottom. I didn’t use a lubricant on the seal.
Could be the easiest repair you’ll ever do on your bike.
All of this should be confirmed by folks that have actually done this to a 2009 +- 1200 GS.
Charlie
When you change your oil next time.
Exactly!
Then clean out the seal area and find a socket to use as a drift to tap the new sight glass in. Nothing larger than the OD of the seal and only touching the exterior of the seal face, so as to not damage the metal on the engine block nor the “glass” face. Tap evenly till it seats to the bottom. I didn’t use a lubricant on the seal.
Could be the easiest repair you’ll ever do on your bike.
All of this should be confirmed by folks that have actually done this to a 2009 +- 1200 GS.
Charlie
Changed out the sight glass on a couple of 1100s
A screwdriver into the sight glass and then just rock it out. then clean the rubber grommet and gently press the new sight glass with a socket by GENITALLY tapping into the space. Gentle is the critical word here, though I would replace the rubber grommet while I was at it.
That having been said, there are other members who are far more skilled than I and I would heed their counsel.
BTW, Sight glasses often get smokey if one changes from regular motor oil to synthetic.
Best,
3hawks
A screwdriver into the sight glass and then just rock it out. then clean the rubber grommet and gently press the new sight glass with a socket by GENITALLY tapping into the space. Gentle is the critical word here, though I would replace the rubber grommet while I was at it.
That having been said, there are other members who are far more skilled than I and I would heed their counsel.
BTW, Sight glasses often get smokey if one changes from regular motor oil to synthetic.
Best,
3hawks
To remove old Sight Glass on K75’s:
Heat a piece of wire (16 ga) with a torch, of some sort, to “red hot” and burn a hole off center, toward, but not on the edge of the “glass” (plastic). Screw a coarse thread like a Sheetrock screw in and pull one side out. If it’s leaking, it is already lubricated and takes hardly any effort to remove.
Can someone confirm this would work on a 2009 R1200 GS.
Charlie
Heat a piece of wire (16 ga) with a torch, of some sort, to “red hot” and burn a hole off center, toward, but not on the edge of the “glass” (plastic). Screw a coarse thread like a Sheetrock screw in and pull one side out. If it’s leaking, it is already lubricated and takes hardly any effort to remove.
Can someone confirm this would work on a 2009 R1200 GS.
Charlie
