Overfill Question

[imdavida]

Hey all,

Through a series of some very ignorant mistakes on my part, I wound up overfilling my '04 R1150RT significantly. I've learned a lot in the process of how seemingly unrelated events can actually be very much connected and create havoc. My question is this: What would be the most common end results of overfilling the oil by at least a quart? I've replaced the valve cover gaskets and I'm experiencing oil leakage still. Any suggestions of where to start looking first?

Thanks!

[jurgen]

Drain the oil, refill with correct amount (try 3.5 qt since you are not removing the filter).
Extra oil can lead to foaming, it will spill out a the air filter and get burned, causing residue contamination in cylinders and exhaust. It's not woth the trouble. Also, there is no easy way to siphon it out.

[imdavida]

I have drained and re-filled to spec. My sense is that the overfilling has caused leakage in seals or gaskets. Just trying to narrow down the likely places this would occur.

[PETDOC]

In the 1150 GS there is an overflow valve into the airbox, so overfilling will pump oil into that space; not sure if RT is same.

[lazywizard02]

In the 1150 GS there is an overflow valve into the airbox, so overfilling will pump oil into that space; not sure if RT is same.

ditto, you should have no real problems. Keep an eye on your intake box and dry it out if oil shows up. I am not 100% sure of the real harm of overfilling except if it fills to the point that the crankshaft fluffs it up foamylike you would lose oil pressure and adhesion.

If you are fearful, drain a bit and monitor the level. New oil; is hard to see on the glass. no more than halfway is just fine.

[dbrick]

Rather than draining the oil, you might remove the filter, pour out the contents, and reinstall. Start the bike to refill the filter. Repeat until the oil level's where you want it to be.

[kgadley01]

Rather than draining the oil, you might remove the filter, pour out the contents, and reinstall. Start the bike to refill the filter. Repeat until the oil level's where you want it to be.

its good to see someone is using their head!!! great suggestion. Kenny...

[stevencrockett]

I guess that I missed something. It is a lot easier to just "crack" the train plug and let it drain slowly until you see it in the site glass then tighten the drain as it gets to the middle.
If I missed something, let me know. Taking the filter off and on can be done but the other is just to let it drain slowly and watch as it goes.

[rhyeks]

+1 on cracking the drain plug. Just loosen slowly and it will start dripping. Let it drip until it gets to the level you want in the glass. May take a while but you can get it exactly where you want it the first time.

[glennhendricks]

I'd be leery of cracking the drain open. I'd worry that the crush ring might not seal properly.

[flars]

The OP already replied that he had drained and refilled to spec.
If you did not run the bike hard or for a long time you are probably okay. The excess oil will sit in the sump, and can cause frothing and such, but USUALLY does not cause gaskets, etc to leak. The biggest symptom would be a lot of oil in the airbox, but it takes a long time to accumulate there.
Where is the bike leaking from? If you did not properly install the rubber donut that seals off the area around the sparkplug when you removed the valve covers it can leak like a son-of-a-gun. Also, be sure you dry off the valve cover gaskets (which should last almost forever) each time you put it back together. And be careful when tightening those four bolts - they will pull the threads right out of the head easily.

[kgadley01]

I guess that I missed something. It is a lot easier to just "crack" the train plug and let it drain slowly until you see it in the site glass then tighten the drain as it gets to the middle.
If I missed something, let me know. Taking the filter off and on can be done but the other is just to let it drain slowly and watch as it goes.

Maybe I missed something in my book...but I don't think my bike has a TRAIN plug. LOL

[kgadley01]

I'd be leery of cracking the drain open. I'd worry that the crush ring might not seal properly.

in all reality, the crush washer can be used over several times without any problems. just my opinion...