overfilling the oil

[kdirge]

I am a new owner of an r1150r and when I have tried to check my oil level in the sight glass I cannot see anything. When I first purchased it I could see the oil level but after only 100 miles of riding I cannot see a thing. I added more oil, 1/2 quart and didn't see any change, I kept on until I had added 2qts. I still can't see anything. Have I overfilled it and if so what are the consequences if I ride it. Is it possible for the oil level to be so low it isn't registering.

[bimrluvr]

there's a little bit of a ritual you have to perform when checking oil...it's described in the owner's manual. It's not good to overfill by as much as two quarts.

If you want to be really sure without starting the bike and damaging it, try draining out all the oil and then add back the right amount as specified in the manual.

[Ed K]

Yikes!! Over-filled two quarts...not good...don't ride it like that.

Drain it until you see it in the sight glass, then add back very slowly, a couple ounces at time.

Also, after its warmed-up, let it sit on the side stand for a while to drain...then on the center stand for sight glass viewing. You'll notice the level will vary a bit depending on the specific conditions, but you'll get used to the variations.

[KHaynes]

There's certainly a chance that you could do some serious damage if the oil is overfilled by 2 quarts. At very least, you can expect some bad leaks or even inverted oil seals.
If you suspect a gross overfill, get a spotlessly clean container and drain all the oil from the engine. While the bike is on the centerstand, refill the engine with the recommended amount of oil and watch for the level in the sight glass. Make sure you follow the directions for checking the level as described by the other posters.

[Boxer]

I'm with the others. Drain it for about an hour or two...Better overnight.
Close up the drain hole. Carefully remove the filter and very carefully lower it to see if it's full of oil. If so, just screw it back on by hand until its tight and then give it an additional half or quarter turn. Including the full filter, which holds...[help me out here guys]...maybe a half quart?...You should put no more than 3 3/4 quarts in.

Remember the oil coolers operate on a thermostat and will trap oil if it's not up to a certain temp. With that in mind, after you have drained and refilled as above, take the bike out for a nice ride for at least 20 minutes or so. Come back and "sidestand" it for about 5 mins, then put it on the centerstand. After about 15 more mins take a look at the sight glass. If it is near the center dot, you are perfect to go. Anywhere else in the sight glass is also okay, but not "perfect" :-)

Now each time you check the oil, do it the very same way and get a consistent ritual going. This bike WILL use a lot of oil initially so keep an eye on it. Eventually, you will learn to anticipate with joyous anxiety the prospect of kneeling down and eyeballing that sightglass. Plus, folks at convenience stores will think you are praying to the Beemer gods.

[leno]

. Plus, folks at convenience stores will think you are praying to the Beemer gods.

Mecca?

[kdirge]

thanks for the help guys. Do I need any special tools to drain the oil or will the ones in the bikes tool kit be ok. by the way, I bought the bike used and am not sure what oil the previous owner was using. Any thoughts, most people I have asked seem to believe it was probably 20w-50.

[rdsmith3]

Getting the drain plug out is fairly simple. I believe it uses a 6mm hex wrench but my memory is terrible. The oil filter is a little trickier because it is recessed. You either need the special BMW tool, or something like it from an auto parts store. It is like a metal cap that goes over the filter, and you can attach a socket wrench to it.

[Airman]

kdirge,

Good advice from the guys. I think I might take a simpler approach though. Since you obviously don't have the BMW filter wrench, I would just drain the sump and leave the filter alone. Go buy 4 quarts of 20-50 wt oil. (I'm using Castrol GTX right now, available everywhere.) After you've put the oil plug back in, add 2 of your new quarts of GTX 20-50. Take the bike for a short ride to warm the oil. (Don't just leave it on high idle in the garage) when you get back, park it on the side stand for 10 or 15 minutes to drain the oil coolers a bit, then pull it up on the center stand.
Now at this point you probably won't see anything in the sight glass. That's ok. Slowly add oil until it's to the center of the sight gauge. I usually figure after a ride if I see oil in the glass I'm good. Dealerships always put 4 quarts in and the glass will be full. That's overfilling. Just to the center.
When you have some time, buy the filter wrench and a couple filters and do it right, but for now you just need to get that extra oil out of there and service it up correctly.

[Eqyn Dad]

I was kneeling down praying to the Beemer God one day (checking my oil) and the guy on the pump next to mine thought I was having a heart attack and came running to help!

[fallingpines]

I have done that also, but never had anyone stop to prey with me. Perhaps I will stop if I see you in the neighborhood and prey with you. I'm nearby in Auburn Ohio and do much of my oil level praying at the Hitching post. Look for the other black R. Back on topic however, isn't it safe to assume that the oil level is close to accurate after the bike has been sitting on it's centerstand for a day or two?

[Boxer]

isn't it safe to assume that the oil level is close to accurate after the bike has been sitting on it's centerstand for a day or two?

No. I have taken a check after riding and gone back two hours later to see it higher than it was earlier... then the next morning it was lower than the first check. That oil level glass is the most mysterious piece of equipment that BMW has ever invented. That's why you should check it the same way each time and don't keep checking it later and expect it to be the same.

[Eqyn Dad]

Boxer, I have got to agree. Only BMW could take the most basic task connected to the internal combustion engine and make it difficult. I think that sight glass may be part cystal ball.

fallingpines, I am in Auburn too. Did you and I meet at Kenston High last fall?

[Airman]

No. I have taken a check after riding and gone back two hours later to see it higher than it was earlier... then the next morning it was lower than the first check.

I have to agree. I recently changed the oil, ran it a bit and then topped it off. Put too much in and it was at the top of the window. Oh well. Took it for a run and checked it again and it was right in the center.....I've just decided if the engine is hot and I see oil, it's good.

Airman

[wncbmw]

I recently completed my first "owner" maintanence for my bike, instead of taking it to the dealer. Figured I kept my old air head alive for 16 years, I could do this. After other threads on overfilling, I was very, very careful on the refill to put precisely the amount of oil called for in the manual. And it shows to the top of the sight glass, even after a couple of rides. Oh well, I figure it can't be bad overfilled and will see if it comes back down.

I agree with the crystal ball remark. Maybe it is simple reflecting a future oil level!

[bmwdave52]

A mechanic at A&S told me his secret, and he does hundreds a month. On a warmed up bike he drops the filter and plug and lets it drain well.
He buttons it all up (new filter and plug washer always) and then quickly dumps in four quarts. He doesn't let each bottle drain to the last drop just does it quickly. Gives him the right amount each time.

[socalrob]

Dave,

That's way to simple. You forgot spinning clockwise on your left foot 3 times, smacking the tailight twice, & getting down on your hands and knees to pray to the oil level gods.

Gotta do it right.

PS, I do what you mechanic does, except I hold back about 20 percent of the last quart & run the bike on a nice 20 minute ride, check it & add to bubble. My dealer always overfills to near top of sight glass, which I believe is the full 4 quarts.

[Eqyn Dad]

I think there may be a class action suit building. I have developed several physical and mental conditions as the result of this obsession with checking my R's oil.

I have developed a disability to my right knee, sprained back and an endless compulsion to check my sight glass - that is now affecting every facet of my life. Prior to my R I had none of these afflictions. I don't think of anything else and my life is in ruin...just pay me and it will all go away!

Where is Johnny Cocrhan when we need him?

[Ebet]

I've overfilled it and it sprayed oil all over me while I was riding....yuck.

[CycleRob]

kdirge,

Overfilling the oil is not good. The 2 qts you added, after only a 100 miles of riding (!!), most likely will have the crankshaft partially submerged in the oil and it'll whip the oil into vapors that will blow out the breather and fill up the airbox - - - soaking the paper air filter and ruining it. You must drain out the 2 qts and get the proper oil level, on the centerstand, on level ground, after getting the engine very hot from a 3,500+ rpm ride over 10 miles.

A new bike can't possibly use enough oil to matter in "100 miles of riding" (without visible leaks) and I'm wondering what possessed you to add those TWO qts after seeing the oil level at dealer pickup.

On an oil change, I hot-drain overnite, then next day I first fill up the new oil filter, then adding exactly 3.75qts in total to the engine (with exactly 8oz left in the 4th qt). Having plastic oil bottles with the clear and graduated level strip helps a lot. Most have it. Finally, just ride the bike and put that oil window completely out of your mind. Don't even bother to look at it!! It will show you are way overfilled before you start the engine. The 3.75qts you added is the master, NOT the oil window. Many days later, (really!) when the ride you took allows you to shut down a very hot motor, you'll notice a couple hours later that the centerstand oil level is red dot dead center, right where it belongs.