BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

Hey Newbie Hawkman here.... so after reading how incredibly easy it would be to change my fluids... decided to get to it....
I just got one month ago... my lovely red '03 R1150R with just over 6800 on it... She's a beaut and my life long ambition of owning a Beemer has finally come true

I don't have a BMW dealer around and the local shops are.... well....so I ordered some Fram filters(3) from the Auto parts store (damn...right before I read that I should be using a K&N... I'll change it every 1K to use them up...).. Got some oil and gear oil and almost got started.... so...

Two things...
I can't get my hands on an oil filter wrench that will fit... any suggestions?.. Or do I have to order one from BobsBMW?

Second... when I changed the tranny fluids... there wasn't any washers on the bolts... Now, I'm getting worried.... I didn't loose them in the drain pan... and there seems to be a step on the nut... could that be it?... ... ruh row...????

So... since I was now draining fluid... I went ahead and changed it... torqued the bolts to 22 ftlbs... but... still worried...am I screwing up...?? Should I got to hardware store and get a substitue and let the new quart drain out... and just call it a do over?

I love my oilhead... I just don't want to do anything stupid to mess it up...

Are you replacing the filter with a genuine BMW filter? If so, then buying the right filter wrench is the way to go. I think most people around here are big fans of the BMW brand filter, and you will probably hear that advice. (edit- OOPS speed reading mistake) Never mind I see that you aren't using the BMW filter.

I decided to go with the K&N filter. I like the big one inch stud on the bottom, easy on and off, no filter wrench needed. But first I had to get the original BMW filter off.

I sacrificed a 2 dollar filter wrench that I already had. It slid over the filter but it didn't grip. I took some heavy cutters and bent a few notches around the perimeter. I Gently pounded it on the filter. It gripped, and off the filter came.

I think you should definitely have crush washers on all the drain and fill bolts.

Filter Wrench = 76mm with 14 Flutes. Try AutoZone or other auto parts chains for the best deal.

Fram filters in comparison tests were the absolute worst quality and finished dead last. I'd return them, get a BMW filter and use the recommended 6,000 mile oil change interval. The OilHead engine's oil is only for the engine, just like a car. The clutch is dry (like a car) and the transmission is separate, so contaminates are much fewer.

The transmission drain plug's Aluminum crush washers are very narrow, with dimensions like a sparkplug washer, but they have a square cross section. They're prolly stuck to the bolt heads. They can be reused.

If you buy the genuine BMW Oil filter which is not much more in price than an imitation one
the crush washers about Qty 6 in all, come in the box with it.

Changing oil filters every 1K is completely unnecessary and a waste of spundoolies

Thanks everybody.... taking back the filters today... and yes the washers looked to be stuck to the bolts, but wasn't sure...

I was lucky enough to find the right oil filter wrench at the fourth national auto parts chain store (Advanced Auto Parts) I tried. Call around and ask for wrenches that fit a BMW...don't say anything about a bike...it only added to the confusion. I walked out the door for about $6...happy hunting.

The A251 oil filter cup wrench from Pep-Boys is what you want. Around $5.

llahbocaj wrote:Call around and ask for wrenches that fit a BMW...don't say anything about a bike...it only added to the confusion. I walked out the door for about $6...happy hunting.

Saying you have a bike in those places is never a good idea, they just get confused. If you know exactly what you need, you can save yourself by going there and asking for the part exactly, but don't expect any help.

Hey, thanks everyone SUCCESS!... I followed Iowabeaksters advice... I did find a K&N and sacrificed a (forward thinking) auto parts store filter wrench to get the old one off... I wasn't without a saga... As I gently tapped on the filter wrench... the cr...py tack welded insert for placing the head of your rachet in... broke loose!! ARRRRGHHH....

So... since I'm also a bike mechanic.... (pedal style) I drilled a holes into the electric tack weld spots and used my park bottom bracket spanner to turn the filter wench... (yeah..)

I filled up and threw on the K&N.. I noticed the old bmw filter said to tighten to 10 Nm so I did.....and finished up....

Funny tho... cuz after I eyed the beautiful golden fluid up to the bullseye I got suddenly thirsty for a wheat beer... I wonder why??? go figure...

Thanks again everyone!

I just contacted the boneyard.com for oil filters for my 1150R. I think I got a great deal, 6 filters (bosch), six washers, and the oil filter wrench for $52 plus shipping cost.

^ ^That is a deal. Took a trip to Max BMW yesterday...$17.10 per filter and a generic (German made) filter wrench is $22.11. I don't expect the dealers to give this stuff away for free, but there are obviously other less expensive sources. When I was in there, there were a half dozen or so sales people shuffling around and the only "consumers'' I saw were there for service...so I guess this is how they pay the rent/salaries/make a profit.

I've been running AC Delco PF 53's for over 5 years now and 50,000 miles with absolutely no problems. About $4 each at Advance Auto. 'Course my clutch splines may go out at any moment in protest!

bought a bunch of filters from http://www.turnermotorsport.com
on the left hand side of page look for search box.type in ( oc 91 )
o.e. mahle oi filters. fwiw