K11 Owners Group

John Clauss · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 3:12 pm Post subject: Oil change mini disaster

My bike is getting inspected tomorrow, so I figured I would check it all over and make sure it doesn't need anything which will cost me more at the shop. I am having my local independent shop do the inspection and replace the fork seals. (He is an ex-BMW shop mechanic) So while prepping I changed the oil. When I was putting the oil filter cover back on one of the small bolts snapped at the head. It must have been pretty fatigued because I was barely above hand tight when it went.

So I need to ride the bike to the shop, with the other two tight I did not seem to get any leakage from the cover after I ran the bike for a couple of minutes, but I didn't ride it. The shop is only 5 miles away. Should I be OK to ride it over?
_________________
1997 K1100LT
1975 R75/6

It will bring you so close to nausea, it will make you sick! - Big Al

endoman100 · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 3:21 pm Post subject:

I would not. I would try to drill a hole in the bolt and use an EZ-out bit to back the bolt out. if you don't feel comfortable doing that then have the shop do it for you. As for getting it to the shop don't you have a friend with a truck or trailor that can help. I would not risk my engine i would pay to have it towed . Good luck
just my 2 cents.
_________________
In the words of the stones
Time Is On My Side
Yes It Is
1993 K1100RS

Saltcreek · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 3:33 pm Post subject:

Ride it. There's 2 other screws. Advice is worth what you pay for it. Come to think of it it's rarely worth that much.
_________________
Jim

1994 K1100LT Mystic Red, bfd, 37000 miles, sold Sad

2009 Wilderness Systems Zephyr 155 ST
2002 Litespeed titanium

Jim · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 3:37 pm Post subject: Oil change mini disaster

John - you've got two socket head screws holding the cover on - and it has an o-ring. Chances are extremely slim that the cover would just fall off and allow all the oil to dump out - especially going five miles. As far as I know, the oil pan isn't pressurised - so it's not like it's trying to pump oil out of the pan. I think it's perfectly safe to ride it a few miles.

It would be a royal pain to try to drill and e-z out from under the bike - unless you have a lift.

If you're concerned that it won't make it, your only option is to trailer it. If you have breakdown coverage, you can get it towed free.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

Sonu · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 4:42 pm Post subject:

John,

I'd ride it too. Fill the oil level to the top of the sight glass and carry an extra quart.

S
_________________
1997 K1100LT "Ziggy" _GarminGPS_Corbin saddle_K Guards _Hyperlights_Fog lights_Eastern Beaver Relays_Cee Bailey_4"speakers_Michelin PR4's_MoS2_Spiegler lines_TPMS_VDO

Phil Marvin · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 4:50 pm Post subject:

Hi, John,
I'd ride it to the shop. I drain my oil by loosening the oil filter cover. Never, while loosening the bolts, has it begun leaking until the SECOND bolt is loose and really doesn't begin to pour out until the third and last bolt is loosened. I'd ride it. At the worst, you'll lose a few drops and make a mess on the underside of your bike.
_________________
Ride Safe,
Phil Marvin in El Paso, TX
'94 K75A/3
'95 K75RTP

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 6:12 pm Post subject:

BobZ(IL) · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 8:36 pm Post subject:

Ride it to the shop, you'll be fine.

joeangi · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 9:44 pm Post subject:

I agree with the "ride it" bunch, but would stop and check every now and then, for if you leak enough, it will cover the bottom of the bike, and right onto the center of your rear tire. Then it will be interesting quite quickly!

Rode with a friend last weekend who had a leaking valve cover, by the time we got to the repair shop, his whole right boot and most of the side of his bike was covered...including quite a bit on the rear tire.

Off the grid · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 9:59 pm Post subject:

Just be glad the head snapped off and it didn't strip the threads.

That design always had me scratching my head.
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

John Clauss · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 10:01 pm Post subject:

On the overwhelming advice of the gurus found here I rode the bike to the shop. I had left the lowers off of the fairing and the cover was bone dry when I got there. So that answers that question. 2 bolts are enough to do the job. He is fixing the issue while doing the inspection. Awesome.
_________________
1997 K1100LT
1975 R75/6

It will bring you so close to nausea, it will make you sick! - Big Al

Phil Marvin · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 10:25 pm Post subject:

max · Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 6:00 am Post subject:

If it ever happens again, remember too that you can also drop the bottom plate of the sump as well... about 14 similar hex bolts - that gets you the filter hole & the drain plug too. (Only silicone gasket sealer on the mating surfaces for reassembly,as well - no sweat.)

Cheers
Max