Oil Check

[IndyRT]

Please excuse my ignorance.

I have read the post on the proper procedure, warm engine center stand wait 5 mins. Then look at the sight glass. I understand the procedure.


However I do not think I see any oil in the sight glass. It has only been maybe 300 miles since the bike was serviced at the dealership (oil changed etc. ..) There is no oil leaking onto my garage floor and the bike runs great.

That said is it possible that it could have used enough oil that I can't see it in the sight glass in 300 miles or is it possible that the dealership overfilled it and I can't see a difference? Unfortunately since Revard closed I can't just ride over there and have them take a look and teach me what to look for.

By the way I can see the brakefluid in the sightglasses on the handlebars.

Thanks for your help.

[BubbaZanetti]

these bikes hide oil, thats all i can boil it down to, one day i topped it up and went out to AJ's, i asked him about it, he said "if you see oil when the bike is on its sidestand, you're ok" he thought my oil usage seemed "high" and said over filling it defenetly leads to MORE consumption. since then i've been just letting it go from the top of the sightglass to about 1/2 before i put a little in............

[breyfogle]

That said is it possible that it could have used enough oil that I can't see it in the sight glass in 300 miles or is it possible that the dealership overfilled it and I can't see a difference?Thanks for your help.

If it is overfull, when you look at the sight glass, the entire circle should be completely blackish-brown (i.e. the color of dirty oil). It's normal for engine oil to become "dirty" looking within a very few miles, its OK. If it is underfilled, you should be able to see the shinny metal plate behind the sight glass which has six distinctive flow holes around its edges.

If your sight glass is dirty (old ones get that way) then there is no way to tell other than draining the engine and measuring what comes out.

[Bfish]

indy,

i have had the same issues as you describe. now have 7500mi on rt and oil consumption is way down. believe manual says a quart every 600-700 mi is not uncommon during wear-in. my suggestion, as i fretted about this way too much, is this: upon arrival home from ride leave on side-stand while doing required clean-up chores, check sight glass and i'm sure you'll see oil. 10-15 min later put on centerstand and check. if you see any oil you're good. next morning it may be lower in sight glass but don't worry. continue this process and when you finally see no oil measure 4oz and add 2oz, check and a few minutes late if no oil then add balance. this way you will not just pour an amount in with no reference. if your miles are still low on your rt you should start seeing a usage reduction at about 6k miles. make sure you're following the wear in suggestions. if uncertain do a search and you'll find threads out the wazoo on this very subject.

BTW-i change all my fluids but had dealer do the 6000mi valve adj and also had them check for oil in air filter res, etc. i was clean. leads me to beleive that i did not over fill with oil and i followed the above prcedures. :wave

[87797]

I was worried that checking the oil was my problem... Thanks!

I have a question for one of you who know better... If, because you can not see the oil in the site glass like the manual suggests you should and you add oil, does it tend to leak out of the plug? I am finding a small amount of oil in the fins around the oil filler plug. This is relative new (the bike has 17k). At first I thought it was a poorly fitting Wunderlich oil cap. So I replaced it with the stock plastic plug and it still seems to seep out. Is this something that is caused by overfilling? Or... something worse?

I could you someones opinion and experience!

Thanks!
Lee
02 RT

[wanderer]

Check or replace the O-ring on the oil filler plug. Also wipe the seat in the head where the O-ring seats with a clean rag. I developed a little oil on my fins near the filler plug on a trip one time and stopped at a parts store to buy and replace the O-ring. While sitting outside the store I removd the O-ring and gave it a through cleaning and did the same to the seat. The O-ring seemed in good and pliable condition so I didn't replace it. That was about 6k ago and the leak has never returned. YMMV but I hope this helps.

[Bfish]

lee,

no..it should not be leaking out of the plug unless way overfilled. could be drippings from filling? as stated, check the o-ring. excess goes to oil purgatory near the air filter.

[purpleduck]

Well, I found this thread because I have the same issue. I bought my 2001 R1150RT in November. It had 20000 km and had just had its 20000 km service. After putting about 6000 km on it I noticed that I could not see any oil in the sight glass. I had not checked before, it didn't occur to me. I kept meaning to ask someone but kept forgetting, so I kept riding. Well, today I decided that I had to do something about it so I added over a litre of oil. Still can't see it! I decided that maybe it should be warm so I took it for a ride (Yes, a hardship, I know). As suggested here, I put it on its side stand for a few minutes and the sight glass was clearly full. Put it on its center stand and nothing. Added more oil. Finally! After adding about 1.5 litres it is half way up the sight glass.

Is this normal? How much oil should it be consuming? Do you guys do oil changes more often than the 10000 km (6000 mi) recommended?

[jdcoffman]

I ran into a problem once after changing the oil. I kept adding oil and I couldn't see the level...finally I realized that if your not watching clean oil can cover up the entire site glass and it looks like you don't have enough oil in...being a really cheap guy i hated having to undo the drain plug and let some of that good oil out. My R1100RS seems to use a little oil but its not too bad I have a little 8oz bottle that I'll fill up if I'm going to take a trip. That way I can just add a little as needed without buying a full quart.

[Kenny2]

...excess goes to oil purgatory near the air filter.

In reality, the oil is BELOW the filter in the air box and being sucked into the engine. There is a drain on the left rear corner of the box. You need to take off the tuperware to get to it. It is similiar to the oil filler cap, twists off. I have heard of people opening this drain and spilling ounces of oil on to the exhuast. (hint) have a cup in place. I was concerned about oil use, adding 2-4 ounces every other week. I checked the drain, drops only, :drink

[IndyRT]

I got out their Saturday and figured it out it took about a 1/3 of a quart but now the oil is directly across the center of the sight window. :clap

[BklynPete]

unfortunately bmw's do use alot of oil before finally breaking in, but you shouldn't go overboard on filling it over the top of the sight glass. the pick up tube for oil is near the bottom of the oil pan, so as long as you see oil in the sight glass, leave it be. i useually put the bike on the center stand and wait till the next morning to check it out using a flashlight. the sight glass does get dirty, but you can remove the bottom piece of plastic and clean it off, be careful not to push the sightglass thrue. when i change the oil, i put the oil in till it is just at the mid point. if i know i am going to do a long trip, i go to the top of the sight glass, with 81k miles, i don't have to top it off, but the little extra just makes me feel better.

pete

[ben50171]

Purpleduck,

I was advised to change my oil at 3,000 miles, especially as I am in the "breaking in" stage of my R1200. Oil and a filter (even a BMW filter) are pretty cheap insurance. I might feel more comfortable going the full 6k miles on synthetic oil, but with dino oil I feel most comfortable with 3,000k miles between oil spills.

Good luck!

Warmest regards,
Ben

[Tominator]

On Oilhead and K bikes Never Never over fill. The sweet spot is Bag on the middle of the sight glass. Always check yours first thing in the morning or overnight. Never check while hot as other members have said. Oil hides in the engine/ oil cooler and will report a low oil level if checking during your ride. Then you add oil and have a overfill condition on your hands. (This is bad) On my R11S I keep it just under the 1/2 way mark and it never uses oil. Just over and I might have to add 1/2 litre between oil changes 3000 miles or 4500km is a good cycle. All BMW's consume some oil untill they mature, and stop around the 20,000 km mark. Motors get sweeter after this point...

Cheers
Tomas :type

[Callmethebreeze]

Is this normal? How much oil should it be consuming? Do you guys do oil changes more often than the 10000 km (6000 mi) recommended?

I've stuck with changing the oil every 3K. Even at 33k miles on the odo, I still burn about .5 L between changes. Oilheads are pretty bulletproof but checking the level regularly is obviously prudent. I put it up on the centerstand and try to keep the level in the middle of the sight glass.
Best.

[AntonLargiader]

I'm not hearing anyone describing the complete oil check procedure. After it's hot (like when you get home from a ride) leave it on the sidestand for a while, like 5 or 10 minutes. Then go on the centerstand and check the oil. On some bikes, the oil stays up in the oil cooler lines if the bike stays perfectly upright.

[dzimbric]

Please excuse my ignorance.

I have read the post on the proper procedure, warm engine center stand wait 5 mins. Then look at the sight glass. I understand the procedure.


However I do not think I see any oil in the sight glass. It has only been maybe 300 miles since the bike was serviced at the dealership (oil changed etc. ..) There is no oil leaking onto my garage floor and the bike runs great.

That said is it possible that it could have used enough oil that I can't see it in the sight glass in 300 miles or is it possible that the dealership overfilled it and I can't see a difference? Unfortunately since Revard closed I can't just ride over there and have them take a look and teach me what to look for.

By the way I can see the brakefluid in the sightglasses on the handlebars.

Thanks for your help.

Wow, Revards closed last summer and you have over 300 miles since then. :thumb

[Tominator]

Anton,

Hows your glasses?

Always check yours first thing in the morning or overnight. Never check while hot as other members have said. Oil hides in the engine/ oil cooler and will report a low oil level if checking during your ride. Then you add oil and have a overfill condition on your hands. (This is bad)

I'm assuming everyone knows this is when the bike is upright or on the center stand? :doh

Cheers
Tomas :thumb

[AntonLargiader]

I'm assuming everyone knows this is when the bike is upright or on the center stand? :doh
Sure. You can always assume people know exactly what you didn't say. That's the first rule of technical writing!

[RTdavey]

Ok, Here's a question.
I did my first oil change after the dealer 600 mi., and like a dumba.......
I overfilled. I went for a hour long drive before I noticed my screwup. I immediately drained out about a 1/4 qrt. Then I had a slightly below full glass.
How bad did I hurt the bike ???
All this talk of don't ever overfill no matter what has me a little freaked!

[msnden]

Maybe this will help, http://www.bmwoforlando.com/pages/services/tech/faq/oil.htm
Den

[IndyRT]

Wow, Revards closed last summer and you have over 300 miles since then. :thumb


Lots of reasons contribute to the fact that I ride much less than I would like.

I hope comments like the one above make you feel better. So you have a real flexible job, different family commitments, maybe you are retired, or maybe you just spend every spare moment on two wheels. Good for you!

My current circumstances require that I limit my riding to sunny Saturdays and an occasional Sunday when I am home, which isn't often enough.

Not all the 2500 annual mile riders, shine their bikes and ride to the local bar to see who sees them and then ride home drunk. There are a few of us that wish we were 25K mile annual riders that only get to take a few 300 - 500 mile rides a year. Personally I feel like the hobby is big enough for all of us.

So dzimbric if we meet at Nationals I will buy you a beer and you can tell me about the perfect route from NW Indiana to Lima and I will tell you work went late I jumped on I-70 and hauled a$$ over to Lima. Either way there will be plenty room there for both of us at the Rally.

[BradfordBenn]

Lots of reasons contribute to the fact that I ride much less than I would like.

I hope comments like the one above make you feel better. So you have a real flexible job, different family commitments, maybe you are retired, or maybe you just spend every spare moment on two wheels. Good for you!

My current circumstances require that I limit my riding to sunny Saturdays and an occasional Sunday when I am home, which isn't often enough.

Not all the 2500 annual mile riders, shine their bikes and ride to the local bar to see who sees them and then ride home drunk. There are a few of us that wish we were 25K mile annual riders that only get to take a few 300 - 500 mile rides a year. Personally I feel like the hobby is big enough for all of us.

So dzimbric if we meet at Nationals I will buy you a beer and you can tell me about the perfect route from NW Indiana to Lima and I will tell you work went late I jumped on I-70 and hauled a$$ over to Lima. Either way there will be plenty room there for both of us at the Rally.

Preach on Brother Indy. I can't get a lot of rides in due to work, same thing. Ride when I can. It is about the quality of the miles not the quantity.

[dano]

I'm using MOBIL 1 15w/50 in the engine, and have just recently decided to extend my oil change intervals to 5000 miles.

I put in 3.75 qts. and I for the most part, forget about it (oil level) until the next oil change. I'm at 18K and change mileage wise, and it no longer uses any perceived oil.

Also, I installed a Moto-Techniques oil filler cap about 10K miles ago. One of the best mods you can do to the RT and it's plastic, funky oil filler cap. Since the install, not a single drop of oil leaking.

Another great mod are Moto-Technique cam cap covers. Again, lose the cheap OEM plastic covers, and use billet aluminum ones. No more oil leaks. :thumb

[Flyingreg]

Here's what to do. Run the engine for a few minutes. Shut it down and leave on the side-stand for a few minutes. This will allow oil to drain from the oil cooler. The oil cooler is level when on the center stand and does not easily drain back into the sump when level. After a few minutes on the side-stand, place the bike back on the center stand and check the oil level after a couple minutes. This will be your true oil level. You will see oil if there is oil to see. Someone stated to check the level while on the side-stand. It is incorrect to check the level on the side-stand, and if you don't let the oil drain out of the oil cooler, then this also will give you a false lower oil level.

Hope this helps.

Safe riding,

[RT_guy]

Someone stated to check the level while on the side-stand. It is incorrect to check the level on the side-stand, and if you don't let the oil drain out of the oil cooler, then this also will give you a false lower oil level.

Hope this helps.

Safe riding,

Incorrect? I believe you'd find a large percentage of Beemer riders that check oil that very way. I'm guessing here, but with the bike on the sidestand and the oil at the bottom of the window, you're about 1/2 quart low. To me, that's a good time to put it on the center stand and add oil back to the center of the window.

[BubbaZanetti]

since this thread started i've developed a new oil change scheme:

since my parking lot is a bit slanted if i put it on the centerstand and attempt to fill to the half way mark i'm defenetly over, so i put it on the side stand, then let the bike sit for an hour, go out and check before putting the cover on, if its between full and 1/4 full on the sidestand i feel fine, below that i add a bit. full on the sidestand in my lot seems about equal to half way on the centerstand elsewhere

also changed to Castrol 20/50 car oil yesterday, put 250 miles on the bike last night and commuting to a freelance thing today, no noticable drop at all. even in 250 miles with the bmw stuff i'd notice a bit of a drop (say 3/4 to 1/2 full on the sidestand or at least a few oz................

8300 and counting, i hope to be around 12K by the end of the month, and hopefully this thing will chill out on the consumption, till then its car oil, due to the replacement rate......... :clap

[Flyingreg]

Well, I don't care for guess work to much. Allot of people doing things a certain way, doesn't make it right. Do the oil check both ways, that is first only from the center stand. Then, the other way, bike on side stand for a few minutes before placing on center stand. You will see a difference. Those that want to use guess work and extrapolate an oil level, that is of course their perogative. This is still a free country, sort of.

[RTdavey]

Den -
Thanks for the awsome Link!
Checked my bike after a long ride and set on CS (center stand),... 1/4 glass.
Yesterday, took momma for a long, (200 mi.) ride, and checked again this morning, (C.S.) now @ 1/2 glass !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think the statement to look @ the glass as a Go/ No go, guage is the correct one.

Think of it guys, you have 4 qts. in that engine, even @ 1/2 qt. low, you still are not even @ 25% low on fill. Exactly where is the glass level @ 1/2 qt. low ??? I think the link Den sent says it all..............
Too many bikes are overfilled and have early death sounds. Mine won't be one of them.

[Kenny2]

Oh my,,,,, I ride until the light comes on that shows to 'add oil'. :dunno :D

Actually, ten riders ten opinions on the 'proper' procedure.
I check it, if low add one ounce of oil. Keeps it in the sight glass.

[RTdavey]

Kenny -
Interesting comment.
You add 1 oz. when it's low???????????
How low?
You are an BMW official, and this is the best you can offer?
Not 10 riders: 10 opinions.
10 riders and 9 who take care of their bike correctly.
All is not relevant in the world of Bike care, contrary to stated belief.

[RT DOG]

The Clymer service manual. Say's set the bike on level surface on the centerstand. And to idle 2-3 minutes let set for 1-2 minutes then check the sight glass. if the oil level is in between the low mark and the high mark oil level is suffiecient. It also says it takes .6 litre or 1 pint of oil to fill from the low mark to the high mark. I'm not a daily rider so I always park my on the centerstand and check the oil level cold. before the trip. And I will check it after a trip on the centerstand 1/2 to 1 hr after a ride. In which I maintain the oil level around the half way point in the sight glass.

[AntonLargiader]

There's a lot of stuff in Clymer that's flat-out wrong. In this case, it's probably a generic instruction that goes into every motorcycle manual without regard for a given bike's peculiarities. Regardless, it's not sound practice for an Oilhead.

[dano]

There's a lot of stuff in Clymer that's flat-out wrong. In this case, it's probably a generic instruction that goes into every motorcycle manual without regard for a given bike's peculiarities. Regardless, it's not sound practice for an Oilhead.


What's not the "sound practice" part for an oilhead? :dunno

[Kenny2]

Kenny -
Interesting comment.
You add 1 oz. when it's low???????????
How low?
You are an BMW official, and this is the best you can offer?
Not 10 riders: 10 opinions.
10 riders and 9 who take care of their bike correctly.
All is not relevant in the world of Bike care, contrary to stated belief.

Look back through this thread and you will see that there are a variety of responses of how people 'check' the oil. I see eight ideas.

I...come home from a ride put it on the side stand, put my gear away, go in the house, clean up as needed, (about 20 minutes have passed), come out put on center stand, check oil level in another 10 minutes. If it is below the center 'dot' and NOT below the outer circle I add one ounce of oil. I measure it by a 'syringe' for mixing two cycle oil.

I have been told that 'waiting' until morning allows the oil to 'contract' and will give mis-readings. ME...I get the oil between the center and outer circles and call it good to go.

As for being a BMW 'Official' no, just the club secretary.

I was told that the oil pick up is WELL below the sight glass and if oil is seen on the side stand you won't do damage.

[BubbaZanetti]

so i guess the question now is:

Just how much damage can overfilling cause???

it seems pretty easy to keep it somewhat below spec but it is also very easy to overfill it while doing an oil chage. i've found about 3.4 quarts usually does it on an oil chage but it always seems like when you come back from that first ride after completeing the change some oil that was hiding up in the cooler or the cylinders comes down and turns your "center dot on the center stand" oil change job into a 3/4 full on the centerstand oil change in reality.

i guess i'm wondering if this extra 4-8oz of oil is truly all that damaging to the engine................if so, i'm gonna drain a few ounces when i get home :dunno

[RTdavey]

Kenny2 -
Thank you! That explanation does alot more for ME than earlier post's.

[AntonLargiader]

What's not the "sound practice" part for an oilhead? :dunno
The stuff that Clymer said. That's all I was writing about there.

I was told that the oil pick up is WELL below the sight glass and if oil is seen on the side stand you won't do damage.
Yes, but that doesn't mean that you can get away with keeping your oil level down that low. I have a trashed R1100 motor here as proof. Oil light never went on.

turns your "center dot on the center stand" oil change job into a 3/4 full on the centerstand oil change in reality.
I wouldn't worry about that. I agree with the earlier comment about using the oil sight glass as a go/nogo gauge. If you need to add some, try to keep it in the lower range but if you find it in the upper range, no big deal. Just use a good, repeatable method of checking so you aren't chasing your tail.

[dzimbric]

Lots of reasons contribute to the fact that I ride much less than I would like.

I hope comments like the one above make you feel better. So you have a real flexible job, different family commitments, maybe you are retired, or maybe you just spend every spare moment on two wheels. Good for you!

My current circumstances require that I limit my riding to sunny Saturdays and an occasional Sunday when I am home, which isn't often enough.

Not all the 2500 annual mile riders, shine their bikes and ride to the local bar to see who sees them and then ride home drunk. There are a few of us that wish we were 25K mile annual riders that only get to take a few 300 - 500 mile rides a year. Personally I feel like the hobby is big enough for all of us.

So dzimbric if we meet at Nationals I will buy you a beer and you can tell me about the perfect route from NW Indiana to Lima and I will tell you work went late I jumped on I-70 and hauled a$$ over to Lima. Either way there will be plenty room there for both of us at the Rally.

Sorry if I stepped on your toes. It was not intentional. I have probally already met you at Shapirio's. I try to make it down when I can. I have all of the comittments plus probally a couple of others that stand in the way of my riding. 12 year old twins, a house under construction plus the job. One of the reasons I got back into motorcycles after more than 20 years away from motorcycles is that when I ride have to concentrate on my riding , not the job, kids, house, bills, wife etc. It put's me back into perspective and helps relieve the stress. Call it Zen, or what ever it's what helps me stay sane, and makes me be me.

I don't use a cage when I can ride. My 25K on the mileage contest is not my total miles for the year. Send me a PM, if you need a break, ride up here to the lake. Take a boat ride, go for a spin on the jet ski, swim a little and then ride home. Not a bad day trip, should be a 200 mile day from Indy. You don't need to buy me a beer in Lime. I've got one waiting for you next to Brads in the garage.

PS there is no perfect route from/to the Nationals, we all get there however we can. Last year I had to jump on the slab saturday morning and IB it to the house for work on Monday. :wave

Now back to our regularily scheduled thread.

[Kenny2]

From talking to 'older' riders, they have the "Be easy" attitude over this oil check, which I have adopted.

They have relayed experiences of seeing it "low" and putting in oil to the center mark of the glass, only to have their boot covered with oil down the road, having overfilled it.

So, I have taken the thought of adding VERY little at a time, 1 or 2 ounces, keeping it in the range of the upper and lower marks. In hope that the cooler is keeping the other ounces in storage.