Oil Usage?

[HFD190]

I am new to this forum, and relatively new to BMW motorcycles. I bought my first (03’ R1150RT) late last fall and am now really trying to figure out all the little intricacies. I am wondering what’s considered acceptable regarding how much oil the bike is consuming. The bike is in excellent condition, has 7400 miles and runs great! In the last 3 months I have been adding engine oil at a rate of about ¼ of a quart for every 1000 miles.

There are no leaks; the only sign that it is burning oil is a little residue on the stainless muffler tip. I am thinking that maybe this is just part of the break-in process? As I said, there are no performance problems, I just watch the oil level VERY closely and add a little here and there as needed to keep the sight glass about ¾ full.

I’m just looking for some input from folks that have had experience with BMW boxer engines. Any comments would be appreciated…

[kbasa]

It's still breaking in.

Really.

Give it another 10K and it'll stop. You know these motors like to be wound up a bit, right. That'll help get those rings to seat nicely.

[Bokrijder]

Normal - In fact in my experience, very good considering the low mileage on the bike. As the mileage goes up, the oil consumption will go down. One hears reports of oil consumption stabilizing between 12K and 20k miles. If the engine is operated in the lower RPM ranges it can take a very long time. Don't be in a hurry to up shift and if in doubt, downshift. The oilhead likes RPM's

Motard

[bluehole]

Your useage is okay. I bought my 2004 oilhead last year with 9,200 miles and it was using a bit less than you have stated. I am now at 16,700 and in the last few thousand miles oil consumption has really dropped off. I have added a couple of oz. since the last oil change (last oil change was at 15,000 miles). I used to think this "it-is-just-getting-broken-in" thing was hyperbole. I have to admit, based on my experience, it is true.

[torags]

I am new to this forum, and relatively new to BMW motorcycles. I bought my first (03’ R1150RT) late last fall and am now really trying to figure out all the little intricacies. I am wondering what’s considered acceptable regarding how much oil the bike is consuming. The bike is in excellent condition, has 7400 miles and runs great! In the last 3 months I have been adding engine oil at a rate of about ¼ of a quart for every 1000 miles.

There are no leaks; the only sign that it is burning oil is a little residue on the stainless muffler tip. I am thinking that maybe this is just part of the break-in process? As I said, there are no performance problems, I just watch the oil level VERY closely and add a little here and there as needed to keep the sight glass about ¾ full.

I’m just looking for some input from folks that have had experience with BMW boxer engines. Any comments would be appreciated…

The residue on the muffler may be the tip that oil is bypassing the rings because they are not seated (broken in).

Ride it like you stole it, run up the rpms. Babying before break in will have you losing oil for a long time

[BubbaZanetti]

if it makes you feel any better, i'm at 25,997 and i use more than you :)


but that is NOT normal haha.................

start to wonder after 15-20K, 250 ml per 1k is nothing............

[HFD190]

Thanks for the info, I appreciate the feedback. I am also wondering what people are using for oil. I have been told to use dinosaur oil until about 12,000 mi and then switch to synthetic, theoretically at that point I will be broke-in.

[screwtop]

My '02 GS likes to "sip" about 1/4 to 1/2 quart every 1,000 miles or so. On trips, I always carry a quart of 20/50 castrol GTX in my saddlebag to top it off between legs of the trip. I've always run Castrol GTX or Valvoline VR1 20-50 in my oilheads. My '94 RS stopped consuming oil at about the 7.5 K mark. The GS has improved, but still sips a little.

[Rod Sheridan]

All engines consume oil during operation. If your engine isn't consuming oil, it is being diluted by fuel leaking past the rings, nothing unusual in that either.

Excessive consumption, or a steadily increasing oil level is cause for concern.

[menemsha43]

My new GS12 has a very slight leak from the bolt on the right hand side just front of the brake pedal. Nothing heavy but something needs to be tightened I guess. No issues on the oil levels (yet) so I don't think its major issue. Will have to get it checked out at the 600 miles service

[BubbaZanetti]

or a steadily increasing oil level is cause for concern.

like, the engine "producing" more oil? :confused:

[Rod Sheridan]

Unfortunately the engine doesn't produce more oil, however high rates of fuel dilution do cause the level to rise, as will a coolant leak if it ends up in the crankcase. (That's why oil analysis always measures for fuel and coolant).

As a rough rule of thumb, on large engines, oil consumption will be in the range of .14 to .22 g/Kw.Hr (.0025 to .0037lb/HP.Hr) for an engine that is properly broken in.

So if your bike is running at 10 horsepower, (7.5 Kw) you would use 1.05 to 1.65 g per hour (2.2 to 3.45 ml per hour). In 100 hours you would use 220 to 345 ml of oil at 10 horsepower output, plus whatever amount leaks out of the engine. (Note that a motorcycle engine may have substantially higher consumption due to randow power output and operating temperature)

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

Not all engines use oil...I took a very long trip last year, lot of slab riding and did not use a drop.

In fact the only real oil usage was the stuff that spilled out of the oil bottle in my topcase...I guess that is why BMW make special logo oil bags eh?...lol Go figure. I did change the oil at the 3K mark on the trip though

[torags]

Unfortunately the engine doesn't produce more oil, however high rates of fuel dilution do cause the level to rise, as will a coolant leak if it ends up in the crankcase. (That's why oil analysis always measures for fuel and coolant).

As a rough rule of thumb, on large engines, oil consumption will be in the range of .14 to .22 g/Kw.Hr (.0025 to .0037lb/HP.Hr) for an engine that is properly broken in.

So if your bike is running at 10 horsepower, (7.5 Kw) you would use 1.05 to 1.65 g per hour (2.2 to 3.45 ml per hour). In 100 hours you would use 220 to 345 ml of oil at 10 horsepower output, plus whatever amount leaks out of the engine. (Note that a motorcycle engine may have substantially higher consumption due to randow power output and operating temperature)

Additionally, boxer engines leave some residue (tiny bit) in the combustion chambers. Being horizontal they don't leak down. You get more blow by if you start you motor often.

[bluehole]

I am still using regular oil (I am at about 17,000) and will likely make the switch at 18,000 or 21,000 miles. Now that she seems broken in I think I am ready for synthetic. FWIW I was often told with my last bike that "burning" excessive amounts of oil is bad..."using" a moderate amount is normal.

[BubbaZanetti]

I am still using regular oil (I am at about 17,000) and will likely make the switch at 18,000 or 21,000 miles.

once you switch to synthetic it becomes a 6000 mile change, one of the benefits of sythetic.