Doing my first oil change...

adg44 · Post by **adg44** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 1:04 pm

Does anyone have a list of the tools needed?

Also, for the oil filter cap wrench, does anyone know the exact size and number of sides? I have quite a few already at my house, so I'd rather not buy another cap wrench if I don't have to.

I plan on doing the 15w50 synethetic unless other people here recommend something else.

I don't think I need to do the tranny/FD fluid, as it was changed during the 6k mile service. If it's suggested to change that also (I remember reading some people use a thicker fluid), then I don't mind doing that at the same time, too.

Thanks.

- Anthony

Post by **ruddy** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 1:48 pm

The cap wrench size is 76 MM. You can find them anywhere. A generic that costs between $4 to $10 works fine.

BMW service experts recommend changing the final drive oil with 80W-90 dino oil at the same time you change the engine oil.

The 15W-50 synthetic oil should be just fine.

adg44 · Post by **adg44** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 2:10 pm

ruddy wrote:The cap wrench size is 76 MM. You can find them anywhere. A generic that costs between $4 to $10 works fine.

I have a 76mm 14 sided one. Same as the filter cap for a lot of the mid 90's Mercedes-Benz's.

BMW service experts recommend changing the final drive oil with 80W-90 dino oil at the same time you change the engine oil.

OK, so how do I change the final drive oil? I saw they used Amsoil 75w90 during the 6k service, but I don't know if it was for the tranny or for the final drive.

The 15W-50 synthetic oil should be just fine.

Does anyone have any tech specs on this oil?

I will need a filter and I assume drain plug/washer, and the oil. Where should I order from?

Post by **OU812** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 2:15 pm

Try Bob's BMW. I use the Bosch oil filter, and be sure to ask for the crush washer if you MUST replace it, I don't always.

I just buy my oil from the local discount auto parts, Mobil ONE 15w-50,(engine) and 80-90w gear oil for both the trans and final drive.

adg44 · Post by **adg44** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 2:18 pm

OU812 wrote:Try Bob's BMW. I use the Bosch oil filter, and be sure to ask for the crush washer if you MUST replace it, I don't always. I just buy my oil from the local discount auto parts, Mobil ONE 15w-50,(engine) and 80-90w gear oil for both the trans and final drive.

Yeah, I may just call bob's and have the mship that stuff to me.

I didn't know if it was a crush washer or not, but I always replace crush washers. Of course if you want to save $.50, you can always reverse the crush washer and reuse it once.

I read somewhere on here about using a heavier weight synthetic oil for the tranny? Can anyone comment on that? How any quarts do I need for the tranny and the final drive?

Also, How often do these fluids need to be changed?

Post by **OU812** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 2:42 pm

It seems to use just over a quart for the trans and final.

That is why I never seem to try synthetic, as I always have some left over.

Post by **DSKYZD** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 2:43 pm

Check out http://www.beemerboneyard.com! Super fast shipping from NJ to VA. They've even got full 12K service kits. You said the FD was done at 6K but is normally a 12K item. Some people do the FD fluid w/ the oil because it is so easy.

I use 15w50 Mobil1 in my engine now. Synthetic in the engine doesn't get recommended until about 18,000 miles to give those hardened parts time to mate well.

http://www.beemerboneyard.com/newparts.html

DSKYZD

Post by **OU812** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 2:48 pm

Nice call DSKYZD. I understand the Boneyard tapes the crush washers to the oil filter boxes?

adg44 · Post by **adg44** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 2:52 pm

Thanks for the link.

The spark plugs were done at 6k, so I"m not going to worry about them. Same goes for the air filter.

I just want to put in some synthetic motor oil, and hopefully using a heavier weight trans/final drive fluid will help with the "clunkiness" of the transmission.

I have never really believed in waiting for xxxx miles before putting in synthetic. Granted in my cars I leave the factory fluid in for a few thousand miles, but then switch to synthetic.

For what it's worth, Porsche's come with Mobil1 0w40 as factory fill...

Post by **OU812** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 2:56 pm

Watch out adg44. These guys will jump all over you about pouring in none dino oil before certain mileage on the bike. Do not listen, they are old and stubborn.

adg44 · Post by **adg44** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 2:59 pm

I see this listed on Bob's BMW:

BMW 75w140 Synthetic Gear Oil - $17.39

BMW 80w90 Dino Gear Oil - $8.79

BMW 15w50 Synthetic Motor Oil - $11.90 (:eek:)

Aren't some people using 75w140 in their transmission?

I may just run Mobil1 15w50 in the engine... How many quarts? I think I remember reading just over 3?

Post by **OU812** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 3:04 pm

Almost 4.

OK, maybe 3.5

adg44 · Post by **adg44** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 3:06 pm

OU812 wrote:Almost 4. OK, maybe 3.5

Excellent. Then a gallon of Mobil1 15w50 Extended Performance it is.

Are the crush washers different for the transmission/final drive compared to the oil drain plug?

adg44 · Post by **adg44** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 3:12 pm

As for the gear oils - are these all GL-5 fluids? I would assume they are.

I may just go straight Mobil1:

Mobilube HD Plus 80w90

Mobil1 Synthetic Gear Lube LS 75w140

Post by **OU812** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 3:15 pm

adg44 wrote:
OU812 wrote:Almost 4. OK, maybe 3.5
Excellent. Then a gallon of Mobil1 15w50 Extended Performance it is.

Are the crush washers different for the transmission/final drive compared to the oil drain plug?

Yes they are, bigger. The final should be a magnetic drain pug, so you can see how things are going in there. A little gray goo is not bad.

Post by **Gaston** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 4:20 pm

the one tidbit I've learned;

make sure you get the filter on tight - don't over tighten. But you want to make sure it's all the way screwed on or it will drip a little. Easy to check after the first ride and tighten if it needs it.

Post by **MartinW** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 8:07 am

Lubricate the rubber sealing ring with a little fresh oil before installing new filter.

R4R&R · Post by **R4R&R** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 11:22 am

I see you're in Reston - not too far from me. I may be going up to Bob's this saturday to get some maintenance stuff and I can pickup whatever you want and bring it back. As for the oils, you can buy good brand oils at the closest Autozone/Advanced Auto and save some money.

Now that I'm looking at the link to the service kits from BeemerBoneyard, that may be a good deal: http://www.beemerboneyard.com/r1150dsmaintkit.html

I'll let you know about this weekend and Bob's.

adg44 · Post by **adg44** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 11:49 am

R4R&R wrote:I see you're in Reston - not too far from me. I may be going up to Bob's this saturday to get some maintenance stuff and I can pickup whatever you want and bring it back. As for the oils, you can buy good brand oils at the closest Autozone/Advanced Auto and save some money.

Now that I'm looking at the link to the service kits from BeemerBoneyard, that may be a good deal: http://www.beemerboneyard.com/r1150dsmaintkit.html

I'll let you know about this weekend and Bob's.

That's very nice of you!

I may be going up there on Friday actually, as we have an office in Hanover (not far away).

Or, I may just order the filter and the crush washers. I will be using all Mobil1 products since I can get them at Advance.

- Anthony

adg44 · Post by **adg44** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 1:37 pm

OK, I just called Bob's BMW and ordered:

Part # 11421460845 - $14.95. I know there is the Bosch filter for $8.95 - but that's the generic Bosch stuff and I don't like it. Actually, I don't really like any Bosch products!

They also sell a crush washer kit. It's a good thing I asked for part numbers, because she originally quoted me the part for Air Heads and not Oil Heads. She was nice, but sometimes parts people are hit-or-miss.

It is Part # CWR11 and has 5 crush washers (two for FD, two for Tranny, one for oil) and costs $3.99.

Add in $6.95 for shipping and it will be here tomorrow.

- Anthony