Weeping clutch reservoir

[itsmebanky]

hey all, to make a long story short, i just purchased a 2009 M696 with 7000 miles and thought my top clutch reservoir was empty. i opened it up and actually it was full. i replaced everything not too carefully but correctly and there was a bit of overspill. i took it out for a drive and noticed a drip line.  i opened it up again, cleaned, replaced, and it kept weeping. finally after more research i determined everything needs to be absolutely dry when reassembling. i took it apart again, cleaned the cap, diaphragm and reservoir surface real good, wiped it down with alcohol, and put it back together. on the cap, theres 2 square "vent holes" (i think) and now with the slightest squeeze of the clutch, i can see air pressure being pushed out in the form of like an air bubble, but its REALLY small and minor. i also notice the rim of the cap has wet marks...

i never paid too much attention before i did all of this, but did i ruin the seal myself? is minor weeping normal? am i missing a step in the disassembly/reassembly of the top clutch reservoir/diaphragm?

any help is REALLY appreciated.

[itsmebanky]

an example of what i saw last night AFTER cleaning all parts and reassembling 2nd time.

tonight i just took it apart again (3rd time) and cleaned it all up and MADE SURE all surfaces were dry before tightening screws.


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Last night:

[ducpainter]

As you've discovered, any fluid on the gasket will result in that weeping.

It's only the liquid ion the surface usually. Keep wiping and it should stop.

You might take another whack at tightening the screws a little more.

[stopintime]

...and when you tighten, try a 1-2-1 pattern so both sides get the same deformation.

Also - the fluid level should not be more than 3 mm above minimum.

If it doesn't stop (as mentioned above) you can try what I did to stop this once and for all
http://www.monsterparts.com/pc/SSRSQUARE/CB-Reservoir/SSRSQUARE.html
Can't say it wasn't a coincidence, but it has worked ever since.

[itsmebanky]

i just came back from removing more fluid and cleaning/reassembling everything again. prior to this time i think fluid was coming up through the screw holes. so this last time i removed some more via syringe, and replaced everything again.  gave a squeeze to the clutch and i didnt see any visible fluid being pushed out so hopefuly i got it!

stopintime: i think that will be my next purchase. do they come with new screws? these stock screws really suck.

[stopintime]

..........
do they come with new screws? these stock screws really suck.

Mine did, but ask the seller first anyway 
I use my stock screws - with the correct screw driver they are better than the tiny allen key screw they come with.

[DBEng]

As you've discovered, any fluid on the gasket will result in that weeping.

It's only the liquid ion the surface usually. Keep wiping and it should stop.

You might take another whack at tightening the screws a little more.

+1 ^.
I also found it is easy to overfill because the crazy diaphragm raises the fluid level when reinstaling the cap.

[DucatiSTi]

Yep, same thing happened to me when I bled my brakes/clutch on my 696. As mentioned, I adjusted the fluid level so that I can see it in the sight glass. Clean the diaphragm well so there is no fluid on it when you reinstall it. Tighten the screws down evenly, but don't overtighten them. Lastly, I cleaned the coffins with quick detailer to make sure the fluid would not cause corrosion. No weeping for me.