Heat Induced Oil Sight Glass & Oil Cap Failure

[TJVV47]

OK, long story short.

I got stuck in stop & go traffic (aka friction zone hell) on a 90+ degree day for 40+ minutes. The result (as noted to date) appears to be a heat induced loss of integrity of both the oil level sight 'glass' window and the oil fill cap assembly. Additionally, somewhere in the process the right side front suspension A-Arm cover departed from its intended location.

Looking through the forum it appears others have encountered similar sight glass integrity failures under running conditions that failed to provide sufficient air flow over the cylinder heads. My assumption is that the now weeping oil filler cap assembly and the departed A-Arm cover were also victims of excessive cylinder heat.

I've acquired and will be installing both a new sight glass (current BMW replacement part is reported to now be glass rather than plastic) as well as a new 4-part oil cap/filler assembly. While simply replacing the proximal O-ring might suffice in fixing the noteworthy weep, for $11.00 total cost I'm inclined to replace the entire assembly.

My question to the group is as follows. If the heat was great enough to compromise 1) the oil level sight 'glass' window, 2) the oil cap/filler assembly, and somehow (it's simply absent, so I'm unable to inspect it) 3) effect the A-Arm cover, what other parts/components should I be inspecting?

Has anyone encountered (or heard of) additional complications resulting from prolonged idle scenarios in the absence of sufficient airflow cooling?

Cheers!

[omg1010]

Hi there (unknown),

these instances are really rare. And the items you describe can withstand high temperatures. The plastic seat of the oil filler cap is just clipped into its seat and if you experience some oil leak there it is usually sufficient to replace the o-ring. If that does not help then I suggest you clean the seat and apply some silicone on the plastic seat and plug it into its location. Silicone is resistant upto almost 200 degrees celsius ...

The oilsight glass (plastic) really need excessive heat to melt or see a leakage. However it is easy to replace and even the replace will be plastic (no glas).

The caps on the a-arm can get loose when the engine gets hot as the a-arm is connected to the engine. I have also lost a couple of them. The solution is either apply some silicone again before inserting or buy some aftermarket aluminium caps.

If I was you I'd install a digital temp gauge as per instructions from cyclerob and if your bike gets too hot you have a chance to stop and let her cool down and sip a cold beer at the same time!

Brgds
Oliver

[MIXR]

My experience is that the filler is probably just some O-rings as you already suggested. Replace it all if you want. The sight gauge tends to get coudy if it gets bathed in really hot oil for a while. Sounds like that is what you had happen. Not much you can do about that other than replace it, as even 'detergent' oils won't clean it.

The heat should not be a big deal for other items. My R ran in very hot temps, and survived fine. My GSA has also seen some hot temps and hard running. The sight gauge was cloudy when I got it, and is still cloudy. Replace it if it's hard to see the level, or if it makes you feel better, or if it's leaking. Otherwise, just carry the spare under the seat! If the old one pops out, you can pop the new one in. Easy most times. Impossible other times. Ditto with removal. Some pop out, and some don't. Luck of the draw there.

Have fun, but the rest should be fine with an oil and filter change. 'Burnt' oil releases corrosive particles, that's why it should be changed if you feel it got 'too hot'.

[rdsmith3]

Also, if you're not already doing this, I suggest using synthetic oil.

[Boxer]

Also you should write your U.S. Government Representative and demand a national "Lane Splitting" law for motorcyclists. This would prevent any such disasters happening again. There is an article in this month's Motorcycle Consumer news advocating for lane splitting as much safer for motorcyclists in thick traffic than riding sandwiched between 5,000 lbs of steel cages.

[rdsmith3]

Also you should write your U.S. Government Representative and demand a national "Lane Splitting" law for motorcyclists. This would prevent any such disasters happening again. There is an article in this month's Motorcycle Consumer news advocating for lane splitting as much safer for motorcyclists in thick traffic than riding sandwiched between 5,000 lbs of steel cages.

Is that article available on-line? I have this ongoing debate with some people -- I tell them that there are times when lane splitting is safer. I've been rear-ended in stop-and-go traffic, which proves my point.

[sstein]

Agreed on the lane splitting. I guess California is the only state where it is legal? I rented a Harley Sportster and went riding out there, and it was a pleasure to fly through the 8-foot wide space between the two lanes of traffic instead of sitting between cars and waiting like an idiot.

[TJVV47]

Thanks for the replies gents!

It seems the compromised sight glass' & oil cap/filler assembly are about the extent of what one is likely to experience given the scenario. I'll be looking into options for temp gauge's to install prior to next summer. I've got a feeling I'm not going to need it through the remainder of this year.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and experience.
~TJ

[Xdot]

Agreed on the lane splitting. I guess California is the only state where it is legal? I rented a Harley Sportster and went riding out there, and it was a pleasure to fly through the 8-foot wide space between the two lanes of traffic instead of sitting between cars and waiting like an idiot.

I'm no Green (though I do like a clean nest to live in) but it seems that the greens would be in favor of this law. It would encourage motorcycle use thereby reducing emissions, usage of fossile fuels, and raw materials. And this law would keep more traffic moving meaning less engine time. Of course, I can just see some green sitting in traffic in his Prius grinding his teeth as motorcycles glide around him.

[REFFI]

I have a blacked out oil sight glass, too. We were stuck in game-day traffic and SWMBO will, absolutely, not ride between cars, even if they're stopped. One point I'd like to mention: In California, the legal definition is "lane-sharing." Lane-splitting seems to be a bureaucratic no-no. I agree that it should be the law of the land, however, I also feel that people who violate the letter of the law should also be severely chastised. Legally, in California, you may share the lane with vehicles at a speed no greater than five (5) miles per hour more than the speed of the traffic around you. I can't tell you the number of crotch rocketeers, usually in shorts and flip-flops, screaming between cars at, probably, extra-legal speeds.