socalrob wrote:Has anyone here actually had a failure of the stock oil filler cap?
Yup, two weeks ago, thought it was just a bad O-ring on the filler cap, but turned out that the Filler Neck Insert and the O-ring that provides the seal can also get sloppy. Drove the last 50 miles of a ride with oil leaking out of the whole assembly . . . all over my pants, boots, bike etc. etc.
Tried to secure it roadside, but once that assembly gets loose, not much you can do. Some duct tape might have helped I replace the entire assembly including the cap. For the $15. it seemed good to start with a fresh Filler Neck, Cap, and 2 O-rings. Small price for insurance that all of it's new.
Red 02, R1150R
Member # 506
I am an empty hospital!
Even though the set screws are captive, they still may have loosened up enough (from normal vibration) for the cap housing to come apart.
It's a good thing you didn't take any sharp left corners with all the oil blown out that side. Sounds like you only lost about 14 ounces. No harm to the motor, there's still over 3 qts in it. Maybe a tiny amount of road dirt may have been sucked in as the crankcase pressure pulsated violently thru the opening as both pistons reach both TDC and BDC at the same time.
BTW:
"6. A concealed weapon license accompanied by a concealed weapon is a comfort."
- - - - speaking for us all . . . that got a little grin and approval from a lot of us out here and we're pleased you can "dish-it-out" in your own defense, if necessary.
HELP! My oil cap woudn't open and the whole thing with the ring around it (agaiin the stock one from BMW with the chrome thing and rubber flap). Is it safe to ride to the dealer if I stick it back in there? Is there something on the bottom of that can fall into the motor? I don't want the motor damaged. Christ, the whole idea of this cap was to protect the motor.
'05 R 1150 R Dark Ferro, with blacked out motor Member # 507
DJ Downunder wrote:Yes it should be safe to ride back to your dealer...when you say "stick it back in there"..you mean it came out..with the nylon inner still attached?
that is the assembly that came out. Not sure what you mean by Nylon inner?
In the second image, if you see those two metal prongs...I think that is what turns when you unlock the thing, but they will not budge. I think it is a defective unit. And now that little rubber flap has broken off, nice.
'05 R 1150 R Dark Ferro, with blacked out motor Member # 507
I have the genuine BMW filler cap. I had the same problem when I first installed mine over a year ago. It was so tight that I thought I was putting too much strain on the key to remove the cap. Then the whole cap started turning and I could not remove the cap. Lifting the key up simply removed the key. I eventually levered the cap out without damage but it lifted the inner nylon ring - like in your photo.
What happened? The seal between the 'o' ring and the nylon seat was too tight and the seat (held in by another "o"ring) started turning. The seat has a small locating lug and the undoing motion caused this lug to come out of the machined groove in the valve cover.
The "o" ring looked thicker than the standard "o" ring so I placed them side by side. I then took a micrometer to the "o"ring on the BMW cap. It is marginally thicker than the normal "o' ring for the standard plastic oil filler cap (but marginally smaller in inside diameter.
My solution was to replace the 'o' ring that came with the BMW cap with a standard filler cap "o" ring. It could be a little tighter but has been working fine to date.
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I have the genuine BMW filler cap. I had the same problem when I first installed mine over a year ago. It was so tight that I thought I was putting too much strain on the key to remove the cap. Then the whole cap started turning and I could not remove the cap. Lifting the key up simply removed the key. I eventually levered the cap out without damage but it lifted the inner nylon ring - like in your photo.
What happened? The seal between the 'o' ring and the nylon seat was too tight and the seat (held in by another "o"ring) started turning. The seat has a small locating lug and the undoing motion caused this lug to come out of the machined groove in the valve cover.
The "o" ring looked thicker than the standard "o" ring so I placed them side by side. I then took a micrometer to the "o"ring on the BMW cap. It is marginally thicker than the normal "o' ring for the standard plastic oil filler cap (but marginally smaller in inside diameter.
My solution was to replace the 'o' ring that came with the BMW cap with a standard filler cap "o" ring. It could be a little tighter but has been working fine to date.
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Thanks, I saw this post earlier when I was Searching.
Once again, I have been reminded of what a great dealer I have: everything is now fixed, and they tested it, several times. It now turns and operates as it should.
Thanks to everyone, DJ, et. el. for the words. I made it safe and sound to the dealer this morning.
'05 R 1150 R Dark Ferro, with blacked out motor Member # 507
socalrob wrote:Has anyone here actually had a failure of the stock oil filler cap?
Yup, two weeks ago, thought it was just a bad O-ring on the filler cap, but turned out that the Filler Neck Insert and the O-ring that provides the seal can also get sloppy. Drove the last 50 miles of a ride with oil leaking out of the whole assembly . . . all over my pants, boots, bike etc. etc.
Tried to secure it roadside, but once that assembly gets loose, not much you can do. Some duct tape might have helped I replace the entire assembly including the cap. For the $15. it seemed good to start with a fresh Filler Neck, Cap, and 2 O-rings. Small price for insurance that all of it's new.
The stock cap one leaked one day, but when re-installed, and the o ring replaced, it hasn't lost any oil at all the past 8k or so. Just a little misting. I don't have any need to replace with another type.
These posts seem like reruns to me. I remember asking about these caps and getting some replies from my some excellent posters like DJ the incredibly prolific Aussie, and the ever awesome Kristi from Texas.
Is the record skipping here or what? My new locking cap has not blown off yet, but the oil level filling and checking on these bikes is a bit strange. A different reading every time you look at it!
Bottom line is that the R1150R is a fantastic bike even with the quirks. Mine is a red one that makes me feel like a million bucks every time I ride it. In a world full of minivans and stressed out suburbanites I can ride around and feel like I have just won the lottery.
Hey guys (and gals) is it just me or do you folks feel what seems to be a turbo type lag when you crack it? Mine settles in, cranks and then catches a kind of second wind when I hit it. It seems to dig in and then pull like some kind of beast on steroids! Very satisfying, but I am not sure if it is a common effect or just my perception.
Thanks for the complement...re my locking cap...when I first fitted mine to my bike it felt a bit on the tight side..so I've been very careful when using it for fear of screwing out the insert in the valve cover...I've not had any problems with mine.
I'm not sure what some kind of beast on steroids feels like.. ..but that slight lag is common..and something a chip and pipe can fix.
Hope that things are looking up after your spill! Got your bike rectified yet?
Maybe it is a throttle response lag as you are suggesting. My bike has only 4800 Kms on it so it's still a pup. I sold my R75 a couple of weeks ago and it didn't run that way. The new owner loves it!
Anyway, I am about to do a trip to the East Coast - Maine and Nova Scotia. Time to blow out the cobwebs and park the design business for a while. Eat a bunch of lobsters and pour back a few Alexander Keiths.
And burn the chicken strips off my tires!
Should I be talking to my dealer about the lagging thing?
Should I be talking to my dealer about the lagging thing?
I wouldn't worry too much about it..you might notice some improvement after your next tune-up or service.
I've read heaps of reports about how different mods to our bikes like chips,pipes and even cams offer only a small amount of total horse power increase..but the increase in throttle response is very obvious.
My bike will still be a few weeks off..I called into my dealer yesterday and they still hadn't started work on it..(bugger!..its been 3wks)..although my insurance company has told me..and my BMW dealer..that it's ok for them to start work on my bike..they will only start once they have it in writing from the insurance company......typical.. ...so I rang my insurance company to get the ball rolling....sheesh!
I replace the entire assembly including the cap. For the $15. it seemed good to start with a fresh Filler Neck, Cap, and 2 O-rings. Small price for insurance that all of it's new.
..but that slight lag is common..and something a chip and pipe can fix.
...so I rang my insurance company to get the ball rolling....sheesh! 
