Pre-Oil Change Procedure Problems (long post)

[LonestaRR]

Nothing ever goes smoothly for me in a hardware or auto store.

Back in March of this year I went into an Auto store to buy bulbs for
my turn signals. I knew then that that auto stores and I were
probably not a good match. But I need to be able to do as much of my
own work as I can on my '05 RR, so I had to visit one again this week.

I was attempting to do my first oil change early Tuesday morning. I copied the oil change instructions posted in the FAQ section with the list of items needed and headed to the hardware and auto store. However, since the BMW dealer was not open on Monday I needed to find a substitute for the BMW oil and the BMW oil filter.

I went first to the local Ace Hardware to get a 3/8 Socket drive and the 8mm hex bit socket - per FAQ instructions. All I knew were the names of the tools I needed. I didn't have a clue what to look for, but since I know a man who works there, I felt certain he would get me the right items. As my luck goes, he was not at work that day. Instead a teenage clerk took my list and led me through the store handing me the items I needed and then gave back my list.

I went to the register to pay. As I was paying, there was a sudden raucous about me. The next thing I knew, there were people surrounding a guy between me and the front door. There was yelling and tension building. The cornered guy had stolen something and didn't want to cooperate. It felt like the situation was going to escalate quickly and a couple of the clerks started to back away. Then I heard the Manager say, "Don't make me pull my gun on you for just a couple of dollars." I thought to myself, "I hope the manager is not bluffing because he just sort of 'showed his cards.'" A couple of tense moments, and then finally the guy handed over whatever it was he had stolen and left the store.

Next, I needed to get a substitute filter and oil. I passed by AutoZone and O'Reilly's because of my last experience with them and headed into Napa Auto Parts. At this point, none of the substitute filters that I had found on the board were carried by Napa, and I really didn't want to have to go to the other auto stores, so I made a phone call to fellow board member MikeCam, who had helped me before through emails when I had questions about the R. He had given me a phone number to call if I ever needed help with the bike and didn’t have access to email. Fortunately for me, he answered the phone and he was able to give me the information I needed to get the right Napa filter and the right oil. I paid for the items and got back in the car. I went over the instructions and then I realized I didn't have an oil filter wrench to fit this new oil filter. I went back into the store yet I could not find what I was looking for.

Another call to Mike. This time he graciously offered to talk to the clerk for me. The clerk handed me back the phone, looked around the store and then told me they don't have the wrench I need. He explained what I needed and then he suggested I go to AutoZone or O'Reillys which is next door. Great. I have a Napa filter and I'm now having to go to one of the stores I avoided to ask them for a filter wrench to fit a competitor’s filter.

Once in O'Reilly's, I was able to get a clerk to help me find the wrench. I took the Napa filter with me to make sure the wrench would fit properly. The clerk took it, and slammed a wrench on it. It went on crooked and then it wouldn’t come off. So then he took another tool and eventually worked it off. It's not the exact fit, but it is the only one they have which will work. I expressed concern at not being able to get the wrench off the filter so he took me to an aisle that had some other tools on it. There was a multitude of different sizes of the thing he picked up. He said, "if you can't get the wrench off, just use one of these and it will come off eventually." I'm not sure which one he took off the rack, but I could see the prices were all between $6.99 and $8.99. I asked him how much it cost, and he replied, "Oh, I don't know - $66.00". It was evident I was dealing with a jerk, so I just told him "no, thank you." At the register, I wanted to make sure for myself how the wrench was going to fit on the filter, so I placed it on the filter and commented about the fit. At that point I was subjected to some blatant harassment from the clerk and couldn't believe what I heard. Even the other clerk looked at the guy with shock. I left there as quickly as I could without a word to them. I won't ever go back there.

Once home, I set out all my supplies and got ready to change the oil. The only problem I had was the 8mm hex bit socket did not fit the drain plug. So,….another call to Mike. He promised it had to fit and I should try again. But it just would not fit. So I described to him what it was the boy at Ace Hardware had sold me. Mike told me I was sold the wrong thing, but not to worry, because I should have a 8mm Hex Allen wrench in the BMW tool kit that came with the bike. I looked and apparently I did not get one in my tool kit. But, the good news was that I did have a set of Allen wrenches that I had bought along with some other household tools in February/March when I knew I needed to be able to do some of my own maintenance. Fortunately for me, there was a 8mm in the set. At that point I was ready to start the oil change. Mike gave me some final instructions and then I started on my first oil change on my bike! Finally!

The oil change took me less time and gave me less hassle then trying to gather the tools I needed from the stores. The instructions were easy to follow and everything went right the first time. While I was in one of the auto parts stores, one of the clerks had asked me why I wanted to change my own oil when there were "hundreds of places that will do it for you". That seemed like an odd question to ask when he was making his living by selling items for people to do their own maintenance. My only answer at that time was, "because I need to learn how to do it myself." But after doing it successfully by myself the first time, and after dealing with incompetent and rude clerks I think I'm better off doing it myself anyway. The added benefit was the fun I had learning something new and the pride I felt in accomplishing a task that is probably pretty minor to you guys, but is really major to me.

Many thanks to Doug for the presence of this board and a special “Thanks” to MikeCam for helping me get past the hurdles to complete my first oil change.

[chris]

Good job there Kristi. I often find it takes much longer to assemble all the kit needed to do a job than it does to do the job itself but, touchwood, I never got anwhere near a gunfight collecting the stuff! Interested to know how quick the oil came out and if you had the filler cap on there when draining as I read another post here where the oil flooded out all over the floor. As for the ahole in that store...words fail me.

[iowabeakster]

good work. it's too bad that the worst part was dealing with idiots at the parts stores. next time it'll be easy.

your bike will always get more love from you than any mechanic out there.

[klrstix]

As for the ahole in that store...words fail me.

What he said...

[towerworker]

Congratulations on doing it yourself Kristi. Sure went thru alot of trouble. Next time will be a breeze I hope,
Curious as to what oil filter and oil you used. I have an 03 and have used the AC Delco PF 53 and Castrol 20/50 since the first change. I have nearly 24,000 miles with no problems at this point. Been changing every 3k so far.

Wayne

[LonestaRR]

Good job there Kristi. I often find it takes much longer to assemble all the kit needed to do a job than it does to do the job itself but, touchwood, I never got anwhere near a gunfight collecting the stuff! Interested to know how quick the oil came out and if you had the filler cap on there when draining as I read another post here where the oil flooded out all over the floor. As for the ahole in that store...words fail me.

Chris,

This is Texas - gunfights happen.

I didn't time how long it took for the oil to drain. I would guess 15 min. I left the filler cap on for the first minute or so and then removed it while the oil drained.

Towerworker wrote

Curious as to what oil filter and oil you used. I have an 03 and have used the AC Delco PF 53 and Castrol 20/50 since the first change. I have nearly 24,000 miles with no problems at this point. Been changing every 3k so far.

I tried to get the AC Delco 53, but Napa didn't have it, so they sold me the one that interchanged with it, and I can't remember the numbers for it. The oil I used was Chevron's Delo 400 Syn, 15W/40. I put in 3.75 qts.

[rph802]

Nothing ever goes smoothly for me in a hardware or auto store.

Back in March of this year I went into an Auto store to buy bulbs for
my turn signals. I knew then that that auto stores and I were
probably not a good match. But I need to be able to do as much of my
own work as I can on my '05 RR, so I had to visit one again this week.

I remember your story about that nightmare!!

I was attempting to do my first oil change early Tuesday morning. I copied the oil change instructions posted in the FAQ section with the list of items needed and headed to the hardware and auto store. However, since the BMW dealer was not open on Monday I needed to find a substitute for the BMW oil and the BMW oil filter.

Hmmmm I smell trouble brewing....

I went first to the local Ace Hardware to get a 3/8 Socket drive and the 8mm hex bit socket - per FAQ instructions. All I knew were the names of the tools I needed. I didn't have a clue what to look for, but since I know a man who works there, I felt certain he would get me the right items. As my luck goes, he was not at work that day. Instead a teenage clerk took my list and led me through the store handing me the items I needed and then gave back my list.

Geez I get nervous getting a cup of coffee from teenaged Dunkin Donuts
employees. Always wondering if I'm getting what I ordered or not. You are a brave soul!!!!

I went to the register to pay. As I was paying, there was a sudden ruckus about me. The next thing I knew, there were people surrounding a guy between me and the front door. There was yelling and tension building. The cornered guy had stolen something and didn't want to cooperate. It felt like the situation was going to escalate quickly and a couple of the clerks started to back away. Then I heard the Manager say, "Don't make me pull my gun on you for just a couple of dollars." I thought to myself, "I hope the manager is not bluffing because he just sort of 'showed his cards.'" A couple of tense moments, and then finally the guy handed over whatever it was he had stolen and left the store.

Not to uphold ANY stererotypes (especially being a native Vermonter ) I would tend to think that was NOT a scare tactic...

Next, I needed to get a substitute filter and oil.

Didn't even know there was a substitute. I just bought the party line and ordered the filter and washer "kits" from Chicago BMW... 1..2..3..and BEND OVER 1..2..3.. and BEND OVER....

I passed by AutoZone and O'Reilly's because of my last experience with them and headed into Napa Auto Parts. At this point, none of the substitute filters that I had found on the board were carried by Napa, and I really didn't want to have to go to the other auto stores, so I made a phone call to fellow board member MikeCam, who had helped me before through emails when I had questions about the R. He had given me a phone number to call if I ever needed help with the bike and didn’t have access to email. Fortunately for me, he answered the phone and he was able to give me the information I needed to get the right Napa filter and the right oil. I paid for the items and got back in the car. I went over the instructions and then I realized I didn't have an oil filter wrench to fit this new oil filter. I went back into the store yet I could not find what I was looking for.

Another call to Mike. This time he graciously offered to talk to the clerk for me. The clerk handed me back the phone, looked around the store and then told me they don't have the wrench I need. He explained what I needed and then he suggested I go to AutoZone or O'Reillys which is next door. Great. I have a Napa filter and I'm now having to go to one of the stores I avoided to ask them for a filter wrench to fit a competitor’s filter.

Once in O'Reilly's, I was able to get a clerk to help me find the wrench. I took the Napa filter with me to make sure the wrench would fit properly. The clerk took it, and slammed a wrench on it. It went on crooked and then it wouldn’t come off. So then he took another tool and eventually worked it off. It's not the exact fit, but it is the only one they have which will work. I expressed concern at not being able to get the wrench off the filter so he took me to an aisle that had some other tools on it. There was a multitude of different sizes of the thing he picked up. He said, "if you can't get the wrench off, just use one of these and it will come off eventually." I'm not sure which one he took off the rack, but I could see the prices were all between $6.99 and $8.99. I asked him how much it cost, and he replied, "Oh, I don't know - $66.00".

I dont think a STEALERship would even charge that much for the whole oil change!!! What an a$$!!!!

It was evident I was dealing with a jerk, so I just told him "no, thank you." At the register, I wanted to make sure for myself how the wrench was going to fit on the filter, so I placed it on the filter and commented about the fit. At that point I was subjected to some blatant harassment from the clerk and couldn't believe what I heard. Even the other clerk looked at the guy with shock. I left there as quickly as I could without a word to them. I won't ever go back there.

Seriously, if this is a chain type store, get on the phone to either the store manager or district/regional manager or best yet BOTH!!!! Google the company and I bet you'll find a Customer Service number. there is just no excuse for that sort of behavior. I HATE PC for PC sake but no reason to be mean or condescending to a customer just b/c they dont fit your notion of a customer. I'm no mechanic by any stretch but I do love to learn something new and am not always the most knoweldgeable customer in the auto store but since I'm a guy a rarely have to go through what you did...JUST WRONG!!!!

Once home, I set out all my supplies and got ready to change the oil. The only problem I had was the 8mm hex bit socket did not fit the drain plug. So,….another call to Mike. He promised it had to fit and I should try again. But it just would not fit. So I described to him what it was the boy at Ace Hardware had sold me. Mike told me I was sold the wrong thing, but not to worry, because I should have a 8mm Hex Allen wrench in the BMW tool kit that came with the bike. I looked and apparently I did not get one in my tool kit. But, the good news was that I did have a set of Allen wrenches that I had bought along with some other household tools in February/March when I knew I needed to be able to do some of my own maintenance. Fortunately for me, there was a 8mm in the set. At that point I was ready to start the oil change. Mike gave me some final instructions and then I started on my first oil change on my bike! Finally!

The oil change took me less time and gave me less hassle then trying to gather the tools I needed from the stores. The instructions were easy to follow and everything went right the first time. While I was in one of the auto parts stores, one of the clerks had asked me why I wanted to change my own oil when there were "hundreds of places that will do it for you". That seemed like an odd question to ask when he was making his living by selling items for people to do their own maintenance. My only answer at that time was, "because I need to learn how to do it myself." But after doing it successfully by myself the first time, and after dealing with incompetent and rude clerks I think I'm better off doing it myself anyway. The added benefit was the fun I had learning something new and the pride I felt in accomplishing a task that is probably pretty minor to you guys, but is really major to me.

Many thanks to Doug for the presence of this board and a special “Thanks” to MikeCam for helping me get past the hurdles to complete my first oil change

Nothing like that satisfaction of doing it yourself. Changing the fluids on my bike made me realize how lazy i had become about doing self maintenance on my Xterra. I would take it to the dealer (ughh) or a Jiffy Lube type place (UGGGHHHHHHHH). I made a commitment to myself to do that as little as possible from now on.

Once you've got all the stuff I guess I never understood the let someone else do it for me mentality. Looking back I realize even living in an apartment I could have been doing this myself. I dont have a garage at my house. How is my driveway any different than that driveway?? Well maybe not in the middle of January.... but its so easy to fall into that trap.

Good for you Kristi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[wncbmw]

Kristi - good for you doing your own work! Although it sounded quite dramatic!

I used to do all my own work on my Airheads and have gone back to doing it myself, even though I am no wrench. Partly for financial reasons too. For all those years raising two boys, my bike didn't need service that often! Now, things are changing and I am putting more miles on! That's a good thing!

And MikeCam is a peach of a fellow!

[ProductUser]

That's great that you tackled the oil change. The only advice I could offer, which may have already been stated, is to ensure the oil cap, o-ring, and the black plastic piece the o-ring sits on are clean of oil; otherwise, you may get a little oil leak at higher RPM's. Oh -- it's best to clean these parts when the bike is cold. I don't know why, but that seems to work.

If you try your hand at a valve adjustment, remember the Anton method for valve adjustments. It's the easiest way to ensure both intake/exhaust valves are set correctly.

As you'll soon start to see, the R bikes are very easy to maintain.

Congrats!

PU

[popgazer]

All I knew were the names of the tools I needed. I didn't have a clue what to look for...

When I am in that situation I use Google Images.
For example, here's what I get when I type in: hex bit key
and oil filter socket

I never count on those clercks' being of any help.

[Arbreacames]

...The oil I used was Chevron's Delo 400 Syn, 15W/40. I put in 3.75 qts.

I hate to bring this up now, after all the troubles to get the job well done, but 15W40 won't do in Texas summer...

[Airman]

I don't think the 15w40 is all that bad. Given the use of synthetic I would have used Mobil 1 15-50 which is available everywhere. I'm using Castrol GTX 20-50, also available everywhere.

I solved the filter problem by buying them 4 or 5 at a time at Chicago BMW. And buy the filter wrench as well because I found out the hard way that the BMW filters are different then the universal wrench I bought at Schucks auto supply.

Kristi, I surprised since you had trouble with O'Reilly's you didn't take the NAPA manager with the gun in there with you.
But you're a magnet for this sort of thing aren't you ? You should organise a 2 or 3 state ride and then do the ride report here. I bet we'd laugh until we passed out. Something would happen at every stop.
What happens when you go fishing? Coast Guard? Pirates? Off shore security services stopping the picture taking? My imagination reels from the possibilities.

[LonestaRR]

I hate to bring this up now, after all the troubles to get the job well done, but 15W40 won't do in Texas summer...

Well, it was easy enough to change and the BMW dealer is open tomorrow if I need to redo it. But I'll ask around first.

Airman wrote

Kristi, I surprised since you had trouble with O'Reilly's you didn't take the NAPA manager with the gun in there with you.
But you're a magnet for this sort of thing aren't you ? You should organise a 2 or 3 state ride and then do the ride report here. I bet we'd laugh until we passed out. Something would happen at every stop.
What happens when you go fishing? Coast Guard? Pirates? Off shore security services stopping the picture taking? My imagination reels from the possibilities.

It was the Ace Hardware manager who said he had a gun. I had my own gun with me if I needed it.

I don't think I'm a magnet for for this stuff, I think I just happen to be on an adventure every day and everywhere I go and probably am out and about in different situations more than the average person with a desk job. And I probably do not have a healthy dose of fear (or common sense, I guess) I don't know what the deal is, but I don't have any regrets. I imagine my trip to Newfoundland and Alaska all next month will yield some sort of adventure and danger and hopefully I'll live through them to at least post another motorcycle question/situation sometime in September. If not, well, then it was probably a bear that got me. Life is an adventure or it is nothing at all.

[MikeCam]

Dear 'Out and About More',

Very well stated. Keep having adventures and avoid a day to day desk job like the plague.

And thanks for the mention. Didn't mind a bit.

Cam

[wncbmw]

Kristi - being on an adventure every day is a fine way to go. I am looking forward to hearing about your trips to Newfoundland and Alaska so I can live vicarously through your trip reports!

And I wonder what the clerk that harassed you would have thought if he had found out you were packing! Probably wet himself!

[Motorrad]

I had my own gun with me if I needed it.

D*mn!! MY tool kit didn't come with a gun!

[Airman]

I had my own gun with me if I needed it.

D*mn!! MY tool kit didn't come with a gun!

Just the Texas spec bikes have the gun option.

[CycleRob]

Kristi,

Wow! Go in the store for simple tools and there's risk of stray bullets. A dirtbag with lead poisoning isn't such a bad thing. BTW, the BMW filter wrench is 76mm with 14 flutes - - - usually marked on the packaging, in case you return to the BMW fold.

If you got high from just changing your own oil . . . . getting your fingers on the rockerarms for a valve adjustment and then running the engine to tweak the TB adjustments for the synch may cause a serious, erotic, mood swing.

[boxermania]

Kristi

I believe that the riding experience is further enhanced if the rider has some knowledge of the bike and takes care of some maintenance, conmensurate with one's level of experience and knowhow.

If you are fortnate to attend one of the Bashes, not only will you meet a lot of the contributors to this site, also if Cyclerob and yours truly are present you will be terated to some impromptu sessions on minor maintenance on our beloved boxers.

If you live in Texas, there are a lot of good guys that you can consult as well, Darth, Dean-O, Dallara, Rootin55......

I'm glad that you obtained the tools and got some dirt undr your nails.....you will be a better rider for it.