let it breathe

[brabes]

Heading to Cape York in June, riding my BMW GSA 1150 04'. Got a friend who has the same bike and has found water in his diff after creek crossings. Just wondering if this is common for water to enter the breather on top of the diff, and do I have to extend this with a hose to a higher spot. Is there something on the market? An suggestions?

[OldDog]

I've seen the mod recently on an 1150gsa that a blokes using to go round the world. The theory is that when you go through water the hot inside get cooled off and suck a little water in there, i've never experienced it myself, but then running water is somewhat of a rarity out here (except for right now that is) There a similar breather on top of the gearbox (under the airbox), if your planning on seriously taking a bath it may cop it too.

[Phil_Fong]

This isn't my bike, its Brotown Boy's, but I was looking at the diff breather hose last weekend because I have the same problem on the XLV. It was just a fuel hose clamped and then run up high under the seat with the valve clamped up top. You could probably seal with silicone too.

[viz]

Originally Posted by Phil_Fong

This isn't my bike, its Brotown Boy's, but I was looking at the diff breather hose last weekend because I have the same problem on the XLV. It was just a fuel hose clamped and then run up high under the seat with the valve clamped up top. You could probably seal with silicone too.

Danger Danger Will Robinson!!!

Don't seal the end. Hot gearbox/diff hits water, air inside cools and sucks water in through seals if breather is blocked. A real problem for 4WDs too - extend the breather hose to a position as high as possible and stick something on the end that will filter the air (I use an old style fuel filter).

But do NOT seal it.

viz

[Phil_Fong]

Originally Posted by viz

Danger Danger Will Robinson!!!

Don't seal the end. Hot gearbox/diff hits water, air inside cools and sucks water in through seals if breather is blocked. A real problem for 4WDs too - extend the breather hose to a position as high as possible and stick something on the end that will filter the air (I use an old style fuel filter).

But do NOT seal it.

viz

I did mean seal the connection to the diff, not the hose

[tksmith]

Generally this is not an issue. If your diff gets water in it the answer is in this thread. If the breather is blocked, the water will come in by the seal. The breather should restrict the movement of air/water in and out so unless you let the diff cool under water (ie sink it) the amount that gets in is minute and will 'evaporate' next time the diff gets hot. Check that the breather journal is not blocked.

Same goes for water in the engine oil. As long as there is oil visible in the window under the 'milkshake' (you may need to lay it over to see), run the motor asap and it will boil out, change filter and oil at next civilised location.

[Silky]

Another 4x4 trick that always helps is if you've been running hard for a while and get to a creek, stop for a minute just to take the the excess heat out of it all. Won't cost you much and saves you in the long run.

[Travmoto]

Gotta stop to walk the creek anyway so thats good advice!

[terry aust]

[IMG][/IMG]

Crossed a lot of water back in 2005 on this trip and fitted a breather on the diff and ran a snorkle from that forward facing air intake (bad design unless you are going yabbie fishing). The snorkle was set up so I could stop, reach down place it into the intake then pull it out after the crosssing. Top of the tube was behind the screen, radiator hose does the trick.

[viz]

Originally Posted by Phil_Fong

I did mean seal the connection to the diff, not the hose

Ooops

[Phil_Fong]

Originally Posted by viz

Ooops

Nevermind

Your point is correct and that is all that matters.