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Yes i have an oil leak.a real one.from behind the the black cover on the front of the engine.I've looked up previous forums and this has being covered before (a seal gone behind the pulley seems to be the culprit).My problem-step 1- how to get the pulley off.Told you i was a novice.Should i take on this job.I have a new seal ready and waiting.Only have the bike a couple of weeks.Help would be much appreciated.Cheers
Niall

This is from my old haynes manual for an 1100GS but I guess its the same..

Remove the alternator and alternator drive belt.

undo the bolt securing the pulley on the crankshaft.

Pull off the pulley. (Torqued to 50nM)

The crankshaft oil seal should be levered out of the front of the cover with the timing plate removed..

There is then some tips about fitting the new seal and how to stop the engine spinning when undoing the bolt in the pulley.

So the procedure is fairly simple in the book but it depends on your skill and if you have the money to pay someone else to do it.. I have never done this procedure so cant comment but if it was mine I would have a go and would probably put a hall sensor in at the same time as I've heard of those failing.

Edit:

There is a second seal on the other side of the front cover.. Not sure if anyone has any experience of changing both?

Edit:

thanks Ian for the reply.I had hoped to take off bottom pulley without touching altenator as was suggested in this forum(which i can't find now).But not sure about procedure.How do you lock pulley.-will putting it in gear be enough?Cheers
Niall

should be able to hold it by putting it in gear and having someone else hold the back brake on..

As for the alternator you might not have to completely remove it if you can get the slack in the belt to remove the bottom pulley. But the adjuster is on the back so not sure if you can get in there to slacken it.

Cheers Iain ,i will give it a go.
Niall

to stop the engine turning over when trying to undo the pulley bolt you can stick and hold with one hand a screwdriver through the timing hole thus preventing the clutch from moving. Use the othe hand with spanner/socket to undo the bolt.

If you just 'derail' the alternator belt you won't need to move it, and can put it (or a new one) back on after.

This is the forum recommended way of changing the belt, and the tension remains OK apparently.

I removed mine the 'proper' way before and it's a bit of a kerfuffle resetting the tension.

Thanks for all the advice guys.I've now got the pulley and timing plate off.But I'm baffled ,as how to get the old seal out.Must be easy as everyone seems to brush over this part.I've tried a screw driver job but to no avail(it's damaged now so I have to get it out.(Told ye I'm a Novice).Cheers
Niall

Hi
You should be able to lever out the old radial seal using a screw driver or use something sharp with a slight hook on the end.Pierce seal and pull.You can then drive in the new seal with a suitable drift and sliding sleeve.The proper BMW tool for this is BMW No 11 5 680.
I use a deep socket of the suitable seal size which does the job.
This job can be done without having to remove the alternator mount cover.Remove bottom pulley and hall sensor/magnetic gate.
gus

Cheers Gus.I've pierced seal at the face and hit metal straight away,looking at new seal, it appears to have a lip of a few millimeters on the outside rim, which seems to be lodged in tight in position.I must be still doing something wrong.Sorry about this-Tomorrow's another day! Cheers
Niall

This thread has the relvant page of the BMW manual although i've never had to do the job myself.

viewtopic.php?t=6548

Cheers nab it's looking more like i'll have to TRY take off the front cover to access this seal as there seems to be no movement on it.I wonder if there is anybody who has actually done this.Will i have to drain the oil ?.I fear this may not be straight forward and could end up like the seal job.
Niall

Niall,

Had any luck with this or given up till the weekend?

Hi Iain,ta for the interest.I had hoped to have good news for my next post but alas-no.I had some success though,after speaking to a mechanic.I DID get seal out and put in a new one.Very pleased with myself I took it out for a test run and much to my shock ,on my return there was oil coming out under black cover again.So that's where I'm now.Decision time-what to do next.Sorry I'm off to work now.Cheers
Niall