Discoloration on Engine/Tranny Area

[clarkofthesouth]

Hi folks.. I am new to the list... I have Airheads, my friends have R1150Rs and RT bikes...

My one buddy has a large area of discoloration on the engine where he must have had a fuel leak ... Leak was repaired but the finish in the engine now has a yellow brown looking stain... It looks like the finish has been eaten into.. Anybody ever had this happen and know a remedy? Is this a matter of perhaps stripping the finish off this area to get to bare metal and then maybe airbrushing new "lacquer" over the metal?

Thanks for any advice...

Clark Morris
Mount Plymouth, FL

[DSKYZD]

Welcome to the board clarkofthesouth!

Those fuel clamps are the cause of most leaks, and even though there's a recall it only involves tightening the clamps not changing them out for a different design.

Many owneres here have taken it upon themselves to change out the clamps for automotive fuel injection clamps. See my recent thread here:

http://www.r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=4994


As for correcting the discoloration caused by a bad leak, that's a tough one. We've heard of at least one guy who got his transmission replaced under warranty, but that isn't the norm.

There is a silver paint available at Wal-Mart that has been reported to be a close match. I don't know the specifics on that though, maybe someone else can offer better advice on repairing the discoloration.


DSKYZD

[RideandDrive]

On my 2004 I had the fuel connectors break on two separate occassions. My tranny was yellowed from the fuel leak. BMW Daytona Beach painted the affected areas and they charged it to BMW as a warranty repair.

[jamais]

I had the same problem. I chose DupliColor Arctic Silver. DupliColor also makes a GM silver. These are all very close and passable.

I cleaned the area well and masked with that day's newpaper. Several light coats will do the trick. Don't be anal about it. No one will notice and neither will you after a while.

I've used the same paint on my valve cover for a little tip over scrape. After filling the scrape with Bondo and spraying, I can hardly tell where the ding was.

One other use for the paint: I scratched the front wheel rim with the brake caliper when I was removing the wheel for a tire change. Light sanding, masking, followed with several light coats of paint makes the scratch indiscernable.

[The Velvet Monkey]

Hey clarkofthesouth!

I had the very same problem. I was lucky enough to take my bike to the shop at the very moment the BMW rep was visiting. He took a look at the stain and said BMW would do what was necessary to take care of me--even if it meant another transmission. I thought that was a little drastic so BMW agreed to pay to have it re-painted. The shop got the paint from Bob's BMW in Maryland and sprayed well--it looks as good as when new.

I'd have your friend have his local shop look at it if it's still under warranty. BMW should take care of it as they did mine.

Good luck.

[RatBastard217]

I had a total of three leaks before the second shop got it right. However, the transmission was stained and then replaced by BMW on the second attempt. It took them about 3-4 weeks for the repair. They had to order a part from Germany.

[clarkofthesouth]

Thank you all for your responses..... sorry I took so long to get back... very very busy at work....

I will pass this along to my buddy.... this should be most helpful .... his bike is quite new... and does not deserve to go around with a stained engine!

Clark :^)

[rivi7777]

I've been told this is a match for our silver painted surfaces:

http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp ... &SKU=20229

I think someone else posted that there is a cheaper DupliColor available at WalMart...

[clarkofthesouth]

Thanks .... I actually have this exact color in my garage.... I used it to paint my R65 wheels...

Clark