Pool of DOT-4

tagesk · 07-08-2012, 12:30 AM

At Ørnes, North Norway, with a large pool of DOT-4 on the ground beneath the bike.
It is dripping from the gearbox.
I thought I felt a little sliping on the clutch yesterday.
Now I know I was right.

Question: Will I get stranded or will I be able to limp along?

Bike has a mere 75.000 km on it.

TaSK

MIXR · 07-08-2012, 12:36 AM

TaSK - If it's gone as far as pooling on the deck then it's either a line that's chaffed through or corroded, or a blown slave. Either way, you will soon run out of clutch fluid. Have a close look and if necessary, peel back the covering on the clutch line. Sometimes they corrode the line under the covering. I think blown slaves are more common than lines, but the paper gasket on the slave usually means the fluid runs down the clutch pushrod and into the housing. If it's leaking at the gearbox/engine join, it will be a slave. If it's leaking at the back of the bell housing (external), it may just be a line. Good luck.

frodef · 07-08-2012, 01:32 AM

Here's an action shot from Tage, fwiw:

Zoef zoef · 07-08-2012, 02:42 AM

Hei,

Pokker, det er ikke så bra.
If it was the hose, then it should not contaminate the clutch, as the hose is outside the clutch housing. The slave cylinder however, if leaks, can spill the fluid into the clutch itself via the push rod. So I'm afraid my first suspicion is towards the slave cylinder. If you need assistance, just let me know.
If it is the cylinder, then if the leak is not too bad, then you can fill the reservoir regularly, but this could mean you'll have to replace the clutch later on (if you repair now, you may be fine).

billdonna · 07-08-2012, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tagesk

At Ørnes, North Norway, with a large pool of DOT-4 on the ground beneath the bike.
It is dripping from the gearbox.
I thought I felt a little sliping on the clutch yesterday.
Now I know I was right.

Question: Will I get stranded or will I be able to limp along?

Bike has a mere 75.000 km on it.

TaSK

Umm....isn't Dot4 brake fluid? I thought the clutch used mineral oil? If there is brake fluid in the clutch system, that might explain the failure. Ciao...Best of luck!!!

MIXR · 07-08-2012, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billdonna

Umm....isn't Dot4 brake fluid? I thought the clutch used mineral oil? If there is brake fluid in the clutch system, that might explain the failure. Ciao...Best of luck!!!

The R1150 is Dot 4 for brakes and clutch. The R1200 is different. He has the R1150.

We have a bike here with similar clutch slip symptoms and will be replacing the slave. It's not dumping yet. I'd agree that it shouldn't be ridden to avoid the prospect of damaging the clutch liner with that much leaking. Hopefully it's just dripping off the felt and going straight out the bottom of the housing.

As is, it may pay to spray some brake cleaner on to the clutch via the timing inspection plug. You can get a clean shot at the clutch lining from there and may be able to save the clutch. In neutral and rotate the back wheel while you spray. Can't hurt anything, so worth a try if the clutch is suspected of being contaminated. It all drains out the bottom of the housing and can't get into rear seals or anything else that's critical.

fastredbike · 07-08-2012, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIXR

The R1150 is Dot 4 for brakes and clutch. The R1200 is different. He has the R1150.

We have a bike here with similar clutch slip symptoms and will be replacing the slave. It's not dumping yet. I'd agree that it shouldn't be ridden to avoid the prospect of damaging the clutch liner with that much leaking. Hopefully it's just dripping off the felt and going straight out the bottom of the housing.

As is, it may pay to spray some brake cleaner on to the clutch via the timing inspection plug. You can get a clean shot at the clutch lining from there and may be able to save the clutch. In neutral and rotate the back wheel while you spray. Can't hurt anything, so worth a try if the clutch is suspected of being contaminated. It all drains out the bottom of the housing and can't get into rear seals or anything else that's critical.

interesting idea with the brake cleaner/clutch lining.
I'm sure you've done it already but inspect carefully all the way round the joins between the clutch housing and engine/trans. if there's any sign of fluid seeping there then it's likely on the clutch too. I couldn't see any in your "action shot" but it's not exactly the highest res. photo on the board

good luck

def · 07-08-2012, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billdonna

Umm....isn't Dot4 brake fluid? I thought the clutch used mineral oil? If there is brake fluid in the clutch system, that might explain the failure. Ciao...Best of luck!!!

DOT4 is correct for his model.

tagesk · 07-08-2012, 02:58 PM

I had no alternative so i had to ride the bike.
After having dumped all the fluid on the ground, it stopped leaking.
The clutch is still slipping at, say, 75% power and above, but below it holds.

We did 600 km today, and some 400 km remains before we reach the dealer in Trondheim.
If he doesn't have the slave cylinder at hand I'll look at my options.

[TaSK]

tagesk · 07-09-2012, 01:05 PM

This is what a pool of DOT-4 looks like.

I managed to ride almost 1000 km, and have arrived at the dealer. A new cylinder will arrive tomorrow and I hope he is talended enough to install it when I remove the wheel and the shock. If not I will have to remove the swing arm.

The slipping has gotten worse, but if I can stop the leak now and the slipping doesn't get worse we'll make it home.
Home, by the way, is at least 4.000 km away from here.

Thanx for the tip on the brake cleaner. I'll try to find out what they call it here in Norway, try t5o get hold of some, and see what happens.

[TaSK]

Jazz62 · 07-09-2012, 02:37 PM

My thoughts are with you buddy. Enjoy the adventure and be careful.

BluByU · 07-09-2012, 08:34 PM

Did you park your GS too close to a HD? Has it learned to "mark its territory"

Yes you will make it home. Just do not come to a complete stop and learn to shift without a clutch..

OH Ya maybe time to replace the slave cylinder

Sorry to be harsh, I feel your pain BTDT

Zoef zoef · 07-09-2012, 10:06 PM

Hei,

I hope the dealer can fix it, and you can have a good ride.
As for the brake cleaner, at Biltema it is called: bremserens.
There is one in Trondheim too (Østre Rosten 22, 7075, Trondheim), but any other car / motorcycle maintenance shop should have it.
Success and good luck!

tagesk · 07-09-2012, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoef zoef

Hei,
As for the brake cleaner, at Biltema it is called: bremserens.

Tusen takk!
We're heading your way!

[TaSK]

tagesk · 07-13-2012, 02:57 PM

By cutting off a centimeter of so of a 4mm key, it is not very hard to replace the slave cylinder without removing the swing arm.

I didn't have time to remove the starter so I haven't tried to clean the clutch with brake cleaner.. I'll just have to ride on and sww what happens.

[TaSK]

07-08-2012, 12:30 AM	#1
tagesk ^OP Tuscan rider Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Tuscany, Italy Oddometer: 3,147	Pool of DOT-4 At Ørnes, North Norway, with a large pool of DOT-4 on the ground beneath the bike. It is dripping from the gearbox. I thought I felt a little sliping on the clutch yesterday. Now I know I was right. Question: Will I get stranded or will I be able to limp along? Bike has a mere 75.000 km on it. TaSK __________________ '02 R1150GS - Adds life My Riding in Tuscany-thread is here. Renting out motorbikes in Toscana, Italy Proud contributor to Wisdom and GSpot FAQ and European Ride Report Index. IBA: 33616

07-08-2012, 12:36 AM	#2
MIXR Studly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2011 Location: Canberra, Australia, AKA 'Polly-World' Oddometer: 505	Dead bike TaSK - If it's gone as far as pooling on the deck then it's either a line that's chaffed through or corroded, or a blown slave. Either way, you will soon run out of clutch fluid. Have a close look and if necessary, peel back the covering on the clutch line. Sometimes they corrode the line under the covering. I think blown slaves are more common than lines, but the paper gasket on the slave usually means the fluid runs down the clutch pushrod and into the housing. If it's leaking at the gearbox/engine join, it will be a slave. If it's leaking at the back of the bell housing (external), it may just be a line. Good luck.

07-08-2012, 02:58 PM	#9
tagesk ^OP Tuscan rider Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Tuscany, Italy Oddometer: 3,147	I had no alternative so i had to ride the bike. After having dumped all the fluid on the ground, it stopped leaking. The clutch is still slipping at, say, 75% power and above, but below it holds. We did 600 km today, and some 400 km remains before we reach the dealer in Trondheim. If he doesn't have the slave cylinder at hand I'll look at my options. [TaSK] __________________ '02 R1150GS - Adds life My Riding in Tuscany-thread is here. Renting out motorbikes in Toscana, Italy Proud contributor to Wisdom and GSpot FAQ and European Ride Report Index. IBA: 33616

07-09-2012, 01:05 PM	#10
tagesk ^OP Tuscan rider Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Tuscany, Italy Oddometer: 3,147	This is what a pool of DOT-4 looks like. I managed to ride almost 1000 km, and have arrived at the dealer. A new cylinder will arrive tomorrow and I hope he is talended enough to install it when I remove the wheel and the shock. If not I will have to remove the swing arm. The slipping has gotten worse, but if I can stop the leak now and the slipping doesn't get worse we'll make it home. Home, by the way, is at least 4.000 km away from here. Thanx for the tip on the brake cleaner. I'll try to find out what they call it here in Norway, try t5o get hold of some, and see what happens. [TaSK] __________________ '02 R1150GS - Adds life My Riding in Tuscany-thread is here. Renting out motorbikes in Toscana, Italy Proud contributor to Wisdom and GSpot FAQ and European Ride Report Index. IBA: 33616

07-13-2012, 02:57 PM	#15
tagesk ^OP Tuscan rider Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Tuscany, Italy Oddometer: 3,147	By cutting off a centimeter of so of a 4mm key, it is not very hard to replace the slave cylinder without removing the swing arm. I didn't have time to remove the starter so I haven't tried to clean the clutch with brake cleaner.. I'll just have to ride on and sww what happens. [TaSK] __________________ '02 R1150GS - Adds life My Riding in Tuscany-thread is here. Renting out motorbikes in Toscana, Italy Proud contributor to Wisdom and GSpot FAQ and European Ride Report Index. IBA: 33616

07-08-2012, 01:32 AM	#3
frodef Adventurer Joined: Oct 2010 Oddometer: 12	Here's an action shot from Tage, fwiw:

07-08-2012, 02:42 AM	#4
Zoef zoef Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Finnøy Island, near Stavanger, Norway Oddometer: 256	Hei, Pokker, det er ikke så bra. If it was the hose, then it should not contaminate the clutch, as the hose is outside the clutch housing. The slave cylinder however, if leaks, can spill the fluid into the clutch itself via the push rod. So I'm afraid my first suspicion is towards the slave cylinder. If you need assistance, just let me know. If it is the cylinder, then if the leak is not too bad, then you can fill the reservoir regularly, but this could mean you'll have to replace the clutch later on (if you repair now, you may be fine).

07-09-2012, 02:37 PM	#11
Jazz62 Studly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2009 Location: Midwest Oddometer: 689	My thoughts are with you buddy. Enjoy the adventure and be careful.

07-09-2012, 08:34 PM	#12
BluByU Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Lost in America Oddometer: 403	Did you park your GS too close to a HD? Has it learned to "mark its territory" Yes you will make it home. Just do not come to a complete stop and learn to shift without a clutch.. OH Ya maybe time to replace the slave cylinder Sorry to be harsh, I feel your pain BTDT

07-09-2012, 10:06 PM	#13
Zoef zoef Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Finnøy Island, near Stavanger, Norway Oddometer: 256	Hei, I hope the dealer can fix it, and you can have a good ride. As for the brake cleaner, at Biltema it is called: bremserens. There is one in Trondheim too (Østre Rosten 22, 7075, Trondheim), but any other car / motorcycle maintenance shop should have it. Success and good luck!

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