R1250 GS Oil Leak after service???

[smswy]

Updated, see my following post. I’m not happy after spending $655 on a service.

Please advice on what you think is most likely cause. See photos.
Had my 2023 R1250 GS into Iron Horse BMW in Tucson on Saturday (trailered down 225 miles from Prescott Valley). They are closed today, so I ask in MOA first. They did the 24k service. Bike bought there and always serviced there while under warranty. Only rode it 30 yards from their back lot onto my trailer and then 20 yards from the trailer on the street into my garage on Saturday night. Parked it. When I came back to house after going to post office today I noticed oil below. And oil sight glass shows a bit down (I know this is not a problem for the engine, but every other time they service the oil is at top of red ring). They also said the Cardan failed the test/inspection and they replaced the Cardan shaft. You can see a drop of oil at back edge of lower engine guard. Assuming they take the lower engine guard off to change the oil, it would seem this leak must be coming after they put it back on. I feel no oil leak at base of oil filter. I will remove the lower engine guard and take a look. Crackcase drain plug or front end of Cardan shaft area?

What say ye? Thanks.

 

[smswy]

R1250 GS Oil Leak after Service Update
As you can see from photos, oil in belly guard and drip from drain plug. I almost was able to open the plug with my fingers. Took the most minimal pressure with my rachet to open it. Obviously not torqued to spec.

It is a good thing I was trailering it back the 225 miles to home and not riding it.

 

[smswy]

Shifthead Torques shows 42 Nm for oil drain plug to crackcase for GS. Does this look right to you folks?

 

[jbinaz]

It's very fortunate that you weren't riding it. Who knows what might have happened if it had let loose - an oil dump, or worse, while on the road, hopefully before you got to the freeway.. They are good people and stand behind their work, but we all slip up from time to time for various reasons (interruptions, etc). Let them know, and hopefully a lesson will be learned.

 

[omega man]

Not sure what to make of this other than- “good catch”!
OM

 

[smswy]

It's very fortunate that you weren't riding it. Who knows what might have happened if it had let loose - an oil dump, or worse, while on the road, hopefully before you got to the freeway.. They are good people and stand behind their work, but we all slip up from time to time for various reasons (interruptions, etc). Let them know, and hopefully a lesson will be learned.

Do you know if the torque spec 42 Nm on the chart is correct? So I can retorque it. Do not want to over torque if the 42 Nm is not accurate.

 

[GTRider]

Contact the dealer

Do you know if the torque spec 42 Nm on the chart is correct? So I can retorque it. Do not want to over torque if the 42 Nm is not accurate.

That Is the same torque value shown in the Wethead service dvd so that would suggest the value on the 1250 spec sheet is the correct value. I’ve not had any issues torquing my Wethead drain plug to that value.

Best,
DeVern

 

[smswy]

Contact the dealer

That Is the same torque value shown in the Wethead service dvd so that would suggest the value on the 1250 spec sheet is the correct value. I’ve not had any issues torquing my Wethead drain plug to that value.

Best,
DeVern

Thanks

 

[smswy]

It's very fortunate that you weren't riding it. Who knows what might have happened if it had let loose - an oil dump, or worse, while on the road, hopefully before you got to the freeway.. They are good people and stand behind their work, but we all slip up from time to time for various reasons (interruptions, etc). Let them know, and hopefully a lesson will be learned.

I sent first set of photos to JR in sales since I do not have an email for their service department (and in past when I have tried to communicate on a Sunday or Monday using their “Website Contact Us” to either schedule service or ask about a part they never reply). Then I sent the follow up photos after I discovered the problem. I ask him to pass to their service department and have them call me.

 

[toter]

I sent first set of photos to JR in sales since I do not have an email for their service department (and in past when I have tried to communicate on a Sunday or Monday using their “Website Contact Us” to either schedule service or ask about a part they never reply). Then I sent the follow up photos after I discovered the problem. I ask him to pass to their service department and have them call me.

I don't have any knowledge of this service department, but, they are all only as good as their worst tech. After a 24k service, I would assume a road test is required? Completely unacceptable. I've been changing oil on vehicles and machines for over 50 years. The first thing you do after an oil change is fire up the vehicle and check for leaks around the oil filter, drain plug, and anything else you removed and replaced, brake calipers, lug nuts/bolts, valve covers, etc. That is mechanics 101. Had you been riding the bike, this could have resulted in a crash and serious injury, or worse, as well as catastrophic engine failure. Did they adjust any valves? Did they retorque the camshaft retainer? Sorry, but, at the cost of BMW service, I am expecting a certain level of professionalism, and expertise, with a vehicle that I am trusting my life to. You were lucky. I would want to have a serious conversation with the service manager and dealership owner. Just another example of why I do my own work. I hate for anyone else to touch my bike, as I don't trust them.

 

[jbinaz]

I sent first set of photos to JR in sales since I do not have an email for their service department (and in past when I have tried to communicate on a Sunday or Monday using their “Website Contact Us” to either schedule service or ask about a part they never reply). Then I sent the follow up photos after I discovered the problem. I ask him to pass to their service department and have them call me.

Call the Service Manager, James, and discuss with him. Also note that they are closed Sundays and Mondays.

 

[smswy]

Call the Service Manager, James, and discuss with him. Also note that they are closed Sundays and Mondays.

I am aware they are closed on Sunday and Monday and I am aware of the service managers name. They also have a new young lady that works service. Two of my three bikes bought there since September 2023. I sent the photos and email to the salesman (JR) and asked him to send to service department since I do not have a direct email to service and the get the ball rolling, so to speak. I want them to see the actual photos prior to any verbal discussion, and I expect them to call me first, given the situation. If they don’t call tomorrow, I will call them on Wednesday and first ask what is their excuse for not calling me back first.

 

[Lendog]

Updated, see my following post. I’m not happy after spending $655 on a service.

Please advice on what you think is most likely cause. See photos.
Had my 2023 R1250 GS into Iron Horse BMW in Tucson on Saturday (trailered down 225 miles from Prescott Valley). They are closed today, so I ask in MOA first. They did the 24k service. Bike bought there and always serviced there while under warranty. Only rode it 30 yards from their back lot onto my trailer and then 20 yards from the trailer on the street into my garage on Saturday night. Parked it. When I came back to house after going to post office today I noticed oil below. And oil sight glass shows a bit down (I know this is not a problem for the engine, but every other time they service the oil is at top of red ring). They also said the Cardan failed the test/inspection and they replaced the Cardan shaft. You can see a drop of oil at back edge of lower engine guard. Assuming they take the lower engine guard off to change the oil, it would seem this leak must be coming after they put it back on. I feel no oil leak at base of oil filter. I will remove the lower engine guard and take a look. Crackcase drain plug or front end of Cardan shaft area?View attachment 101027View attachment 101028View attachment 101029

What say ye? Thanks.

First and foremost when the engine oil level is at the top of the red circle the engine should be at operating temperature, if the drain plug was not torqued properly or over torqued could be the issue, reusing gaskets is not a good idea

 

[51797]

As a retired aircraft mechanic with close to 50 years experience I can yell you- when you install a drain plug or whatever, torque it, safety wire it (if required) RIGHT THEN! If for some reason you have to remove it-so be it, just repeat the process. I had one young man think- I'll just go over everything as I finish up. That almost caused an engine failure and a crash! He was let go very quickly!

Frank

 

[Lendog]

Great care must be taken even when preforming simple tasks, everyone should know what happens when oil is dripping in front of the rear wheel

 

[riderr1150gsadv]

I don't have any knowledge of this service department, but, they are all only as good as their worst tech. After a 24k service, I would assume a road test is required? Completely unacceptable. I've been changing oil on vehicles and machines for over 50 years. The first thing you do after an oil change is fire up the vehicle and check for leaks around the oil filter, drain plug, and anything else you removed and replaced, brake calipers, lug nuts/bolts, valve covers, etc. That is mechanics 101. Had you been riding the bike, this could have resulted in a crash and serious injury, or worse, as well as catastrophic engine failure. Did they adjust any valves? Did they retorque the camshaft retainer? Sorry, but, at the cost of BMW service, I am expecting a certain level of professionalism, and expertise, with a vehicle that I am trusting my life to. You were lucky. I would want to have a serious conversation with the service manager and dealership owner. Just another example of why I do my own work. I hate for anyone else to touch my bike, as I don't trust them.

Same for me. Done with the dealer touching my bike. Last time they did the brakes on both of our bikes it wasn't the same as when they had the good mechanic working on them. We found out he left after a big row and started his own shop. I have his # in case if ever I am in over my head..

 

[Lendog]

This situation is merely one of the reasons why nobody touches my bikes

 

[Lendog]

There are great dealers with great mechanics and we can only hope that the bottom line does not get in the way of professional expertise,

 

[omega man]

Work done by humans. Probably happened before and will happen again. Completely unfortunate and demonstrates how checking things over after (outside) work is done can be important.
Again, great catch.
OM

 

[smswy]

First and foremost when the engine oil level is at the top of the red circle the engine should be at operating temperature, if the drain plug was not torqued properly or over torqued could be the issue, reusing gaskets is not a good idea

Yes, I am aware of oil levels versus operating temps. As I mentioned in my first notes I only rode the bike 30 yards from the dealer parting lot to my trailer and 20 years from my trailer to the garage 4 hours later. So the bike never got up to any operating temps. And had it done so, with the oil expansion, I would expect it to be a bit higher. But the bike was sitting. the drain plug appeared to have only been finger tightened, I could it feel it starting to move with my fingers but given the oily surface I could not get a firm grip. Once I put the hex key/rachet wrench in and started to turn it moved easily. So it does not appear to have been tightened/torqued. I have only slightly tightened it and waiting to confirm that the torque value is 42 Nm before I do it.