Another oil checking question

[EYOUNG119633]

Mechanically clueless noobie with R1200gs with @4200 miles on clock. About a month ago, before learning about the involved method of checking engine oil, I checked the oil and then added some. I think that I may have overfilled it at that time. Since then I have put about 1000 miles on the bike and the oil still shows full at the sight glass. Should I just ride it until the 6000 mile service, change the oil and filter now, drain some oil out and refill, or what? Thanks.

[Stuff2C]

If it sits over night and you can see any space at the top of the sight glass, your OK. If you can see no space at the top of the sight glass, you may have over filled it and may want to dump a bit. You can lean the bike to the right and figure out how bad it is.

[EYOUNG119633]

Thanks for the advice.

[94867]

I respectfully disagree with many that the oil level checking/draining procedure is "involved". The most important thing is to have the engine up to FULL operating temp. This means a ride of atleast 20 miles in my experience (more in Minnesota in January, less in Arizona in August). Now let the bike sit on the centerstand overnight for the most accurate oil level reading (I think some models may benefit from a little time on the side stand, depending on oil cooler location, but my Roadster does not). If you don't find that oil has been pumped into the airbox, then it isn't overfilled enough to be harmful IMHO. Actually, being SLIGHTLY overfull could be an advantage on an engine family (oilheads) known to burn oil at various stages of its lifespan.

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

Even according to the BMW manual the bike just needs to be upright and the oil needs to be within the range of min and max (top and bottom of the red circle).

Oil level will alter somewhat when hot as it expands and of course the oil cooler will be filled with oil too. when you return from a ride, allow to sit on the side stand for a few mins to drain the cooler, and then hoist onto the mainstand and let the oil settle. After that you will see the level.

[RedBeemer]

Checking the oil can be a bit of a pain what with all the sidestand/centerstand/fifteen minutes/hot/cold/drain cooler/dirty sight glass/bended knees and the sight glass is good for TWO ounces from bottom of glass to center dot. Now if that wearever engine gets broke in at XX,000 miles, give or take, and all goes according to design, all you have to do is look at the odometer and at 6K drain and fill. That is how it works for me, your milage will vary. :wave

[DarkCloud]

Checking the oil can be a bit of a pain what with all the sidestand/centerstand/fifteen minutes/hot/cold/drain cooler/dirty sight glass/bended knees and the sight glass is good for TWO ounces from bottom of glass to center dot. Now if that wearever engine gets broke in at XX,000 miles, give or take, and all goes according to design, all you have to do is look at the odometer and at 6K drain and fill. That is how it works for me, your milage will vary. :wave

Which oilhead engine did you not have to add oil to?

[RedBeemer]

A good ol' 2004 R1150RT made in 2003 and broke in as per dealers instructions and decades of experience. During the first 6,000mi I did have to add oil between changes, 1 qt per 3k miles.

[PacWestGS]

Mang, I'm happy to say that after the first 20K and adding 1/2 to one quart between oil changes that at 40K and well after 20K I change the oil at 6K intervals without adding oil, (well maybe a little)

Unless you really went overboard, and it's dripping out of your airbox, you should be just fine. I don't think you can over-fill it and still make it run. But I'm now wearing my flame suit. It's a horizontal boxer, if blue smoke isn't spewing out the back you're probably OK


Doc
:hide