CARC leak, shop recommendation N. California

[pyoungbl]

On my morning walk around today I found my rear wheel to have a light coating of gear oil.  The leak appears to be the CARC seal, not the hole in the swing arm.  Of course my brake rotor so coated too.  Any suggestions...shop to replace the seal?  I am in CA 11-16 July.  Based in Quincy but can travel.  In Reno 9-10 July.  I guess this is why we call it an adventure!

Peter Y.

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

For authorized Moto Guzzi dealer it would be Elk Grove Powersports, just south of Sacramento.

[pyoungbl]

Thanks, I will call them.

[Dean Rose]

Peter,

Looked for you at the Virginia rally, now I know where you are. Ride safe and enjoy the trip.

Dean

[guzzi4me]

Elk grove powersports is a great dealer . Give the shop a call and give them a heads up that you be there. I live just south of them. PM me if you ned something...

Jeff

[ITSec]

Depending on the miles you have on the machine, you probably want to replace the bearing while the CARC is open. Check the threads here for alternative bearings; the one I got from BMW was available the next day, and was substantially less expensive than the same unit from MG.

I haven't had work done by Elk Grove, but I have visited and was reasonably impressed. Good reputation.

[Arizona Wayne]

Watch your speed in Plumas county(Quincy) the CHP there will give you a ticket for 5 over the speed limit.   

[pyoungbl]

The guzzi seal is not in stock with the normal folks.  Does anyone know the bmw part number that fits?  Also, what bmw model?  Have a bmw dealer 30 min awAy

[pete roper]

Can I suggest that you check the breather vent. These block easily and if the box pressurises it may cause the seals to leak. Don't know the seal part number but it's an 85x140X10 from memory.

You don't have to disassemble the box to do the outer seal but if the leak recurs then it probably means the bearing is on the way out.

61917 is the big bearing number, replacing it does require splitting the CARC.

Pete

[pyoungbl]

To close the loop on this issue:  it turns out that the seal was not leaking after all.  When I pulled the rear wheel it was clear that the seal was OK.  My oil was weeping from the fill  plug on the CARC.

This small weep was still enough to coat the disc and make my rear brake useless.



It appears that the copper washer for the fill hole had hardened enough to no longer seal.  I have installed the Roper CARC vent so pressure was not the problem, just a tiny weep.  Evidently the oil was swirled around by passing air and deposited liberally.  It only takes a tiny bit of gear oil to do the job.  Installing an "O" ring on the plug has solved the problem, good for the last 3000 miles.  In the future I'll use a new washer every time I change the bevel gear oil!

Peter Y.

[Lannis]

Thanks for the feedback!

After 3 changes, my fill plug looks the same way, although I've not found any gear oil on the brake rotor yet.   I haven't replaced the sealing washer either, but I will now!!

Lannis

[twowings]

AF1 Racing sells a 'kit' for CARC fluid change with the handy washers included...

http://af1racing.af1racing.com/store/Scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=57169

[pete roper]

Could also be the result of a bit of grit getting under the plug or washer. The fill/level plug is annoyingly prone to getting crap on top of it and is also quite difficult to clean prior to removal. I usually give them a quick rinse with brake cleaner or carry cleaner and a blow with some compressed air before removal but you can still get that 'Gritty Feeling' on reinstalation sometimes. Glad it wasn't something more serious!

Pete

[FGO]

I was lucky, the Carc on my Breva 11 went out, it was a used bike I bought from a French guy who bought it second hand to travel across the US.  Shortly after my purchase, the Carc started oiling my rear wheel. a quick call to Todd (RIP) at MPH and I sent the defective Cart to him, shortly there after,  a perfect Carc was received at no cost to me. Worked great.  I sure miss Todd, not because of his great service, he was just a great, goofy, funny, wonderful person!  Point is, a good dealer should quickly turn your Carc around, just let them know your coming so they can get the parts....