Oil level checking brouhaha??

[dwayne]

Sorry to be a bit late in on this one - only just joined.

I've had my '03 R for over a year and and 10,000 miles (total mileage now 12,600) and I still haven't fathomed out exactly what it's up to.

It burns some oil, sometimes. Sometimes it doesn't. It hides some oil, sometimes. Sometimes it doesn't. The only way you can be certain is to add a tiny amount - then it releases all its hidden reserves and goes way over the top of the sight glass. Dammit!

If I keep my running exactly the same (commuting) the level stays fairly constant, it's when I change that routine that things go haywire

My pet theory is that it could be something to do with engine (and to a degree ambient) temperature - how soon the thermostats close and seal off the coolers and how much is up there when they do.

Anyway, somewhere around the dot is fine by me, and I won't add any oil now until it's hovered around the bottom of the window for a while!

On the advise of me dealer; I now check when the motor is cold.

[jas]

Thursday I checked my oil level before my 60 mile ride to work and the oil was at mid-level. Before I left for home the oil level was at the top of the sight glass. This morning the glass was ¾ full, now it is completely full? I guess all that matters is that there is oil, wherever that may be.

[ruddy]

I saw on another forum that the oil coolers won't drain back into the crankcase if the thermostat hasn't gotten warm enough to open up. Apparently this would cause a lower level in the sight glass after a short run than after a longer one. I have not checked this out myself as I rarely make very short trips.

[mnnden]

I don't check it.

Jeff, I wish you had posted this when I first bought my "R", This "Oil" thing CAN, AND WILL, DRIVE YOU CRAZY!!!!! I did the ritual ie: sidestand 10 minutes, then to the center stand, sometimes I could see the oil, other times not, There were times when I would leave for a ride with no oil showing, and when I returned (after performing the ritual) Oil could be seen, (and vise virsa) This last time I did not check the oil ( at least not as I had been doing) between changes!!!! (I did at times lean the bike, (sidestand) so i knew there was oil in there, But at the oil change, I measured the oil that came out,(over 3 qts). I had put in 3 1/2 qts at the change. This Oil thing with the BMW boxer is just unreal, I have never seen so much written pertaining to such a simple thing. Try and remember these bikes hold (manual) 4qts, more than a lot of cars, I use 3 1/2 at the change, and this puts it right in the center of the glass. Den

[Beemer1150]

Ruddy wrote:
'I saw on another forum that the oil coolers won't drain back into the crankcase if the thermostat hasn't gotten warm enough to open up. Apparently this would cause a lower level in the sight glass after a short run than after a longer one. I have not checked this out myself as I rarely make very short trips.'

Ah! Another clue pointing to the thermostat. However, in my case I think it's if the thermostat has just opened when I stop the engine. The 'stat then closes quite quickly leaving the coolers-full of oil trapped up there.

This tallies with my no-change-for-regular-commutes and chaos-at-other-times experience.

Anyone else have any circumstantial evidence pointing to engine/oil/air temperature links?

[b52bombardier1]

My theory is that a small German gnome or troll lives under the seat and only comes out at night. Alternatively, he drains or adds small amounts of oil to his liking and to our frustration. After all that I have heard, read, seen and experienced for this first year of ownership, it is the only plausible explanation, really.




Rick
04 R1150RT
04 Suzuki GS500F
02 Honda XR70 for the kids

[Beemer1150]

Rick,

You must be right! That's the only explanation I've heard so far that fits all the facts!

I think I'll just enjoy the ride from now on...

[dwayne]

Rick,

You must be right! That's the only explanation I've heard so far that fits all the facts!

I think I'll just enjoy the ride from now on...

...And it rolls off the tongue so easily

[dasronin]

I can tell you this about oil level.

Have low fuel, pull in for gas, try to start and the engine apparently seizes up. Park the R1100RA due to no tools to check it out. Get laid off a couple of months later. No tools and no money!

Put the bike in storage after turning down $1000.00 for the bike with the "seized" engine.

Two years passes and tools arrive, employment returns, project starts. Discover starter seized on starter ring giving the appearance the motor seized. Replace battery replace starter, check oil.

Window totally full of oil. Start bike (hey the injectors did not gum up, thank you God!) run for 5 minutes. Shut off, let set a few minutes. NO OIL IN WINDOW!

Add 4 oz and can see oil in window.


Not only does the oil hide, if you wait a couple of years it gets tired of hiding. Just as soon as you get the bike running... HEY! It's time for the oil to play the hiding game!

Ya think ALL the oil drained down while it sat???

[gregor]

I was on the other forum and in on the debate. I've found the thermostat valve to be oil tight and if the oil gets stuck in the coolers it does not come down.
A small hole to allow the oil to trickle through regardless would have made sense ? Or would it.

I agree at heart with the troll theory.

[Boxer]

Oil? You mean they are supposed to have oil in them? Having to put gas in it is troubling enough. Now oil?

Next someone will be telling us they need water in the radiator!

[Shakey]

My theory is that a small German gnome or troll lives under the seat and only comes out at night. Alternatively, he drains or adds small amounts of oil to his liking and to our frustration.

The workaround is to only ever check your oil level on Walpurgisnacht when said troll is out partying

[gregor]

Evidence. Bike had been siting in the garage for 5 days. Level was just under the red dot. Went for a 160 mile ride and put the bike back in the garage. After ten minutes the oil level was well above the red dot. That troll must have sneaked along for the ride.

[LeeH]

Left on centerstand all night, this morning I checked it cold before starting the bike: about 1/8 of a glass.

Rode it till it was nice & warm (5 bars, 20 mi of freeway, mostly 4K rpm in 5th), put it up on the stand and read it immediately: 7/8 full.

I like to think of the oil expanding when hot, contracting when cold. I have heard BMW recommends reading when hot - I assume this is to not overfill. I have also heard it said any oil in the glass is good to go when cold. I tend to believe this.

Theoretical support: coefficient of expansion of unused engine oil is .00039 per degree F.
A change of 160 degF (say from 60F to 220F) would give a change of volume of
160 * .00039 = .0624 units. If we're talking ounces, the oil capicity of the r1150rt is 6.6 imperial pints or 132 oz. .0624 * 132 = 8.2 oz or half a glass.

This doesn't account for all the changes I saw today but most of it. I hope you will allow me to invoke gremlins for the rest.

'03 R1150RT

[towerworker]

You guys need to start listening. Those little finned things on either side of the tank don't hold oil. They hold antifreeze.

[Dr. Strangelove]

I wish I had a dipstick