Advice why my 12GS is suddenly using more oil…

NoBridgeTooFar

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My 12GS as of 2 weeks ago has now started to use oil at a much faster rate than it did before I had a new rocker cover fitted – I also started using 20w50 oil rather than 10w40 a few days before I needed a new rocker cover… so not sure if it’s one, or other, or both (or neither!) that might be to blame… anyone have any suggestions?

Scenario is as follows:
Bike got pushed over while I was away for the weekend – bike was on its side for probably 12 hours or more before I could get back to pick it up, the right hand rocker cover cracked near the corner bolt, and all the oil leaked out. Had it recovered to my friendly BMW dealer, who checked it over, fixed the rocker cover, and gave it the all clear. The oil that was used for the refill was Castrol Actevo 20w/50. Up until one week before I had been running Castrol 10w40, but used 20w50 for a refill the week before, and had 20w50 put in when they did the rocker cover repair (since that’s what BMW are now recommending…).

Pick up bike, oil level glass completely full as expected. One week later, routine check, and I was very surprised to find that the glass was now indicating that the oil level was now over 2/3 empty. Usual usage, daily commute of about 10 miles through typical London traffic. One longer run at the weekend to see some friends on the edge of town. Not a massive run out. Mdae a mental note to keep a closer eye than usual on oil usage, I topped it up to over ¾ full on the glass on Monday morning, usual commute usage during the week, one long run up to Cambridgeshire on Friday to leave bike in friend’s garage while I’m away for a couple of weeks - and was surprised to find that the oil level is now down to absolute minimum again. It’s drinking the stuff, t’would seem.

There are no outward signs of anything up anywhere i.e. leakage, smoke from exhaust etc. Bike seems to be running absolutely fine. And I can’t believe that it’s down to using 20w50 rather than 10w40 so I figure it must relate to the rocker cover repair, but can’t figure out why that should make a difference?

Anyone got any ideas...?
 
my 1150 used oil till about 12K then settled down, it could use stacks or none for ages there never seemed to be a pattern to it in my case how many miles has it done?
 
As long as the oil is in the sight glass I don't worry, checking the level accurately would mean using the exact same proceedure each time you check, on a dead level surface.

Good luck and try not to overfill it


Shep
 
Thanks for the responses guys - makes me feel slightly better about it!

Lo - done just under 27k.

Always check it on centre stand either before I start it up cold, and then i I've been our riding, giving it 15 minutes to settle once I've switched off.
 
Thanks for the responses guys - makes me feel slightly better about it!

Lo - done just under 27k.

Always check it on centre stand either before I start it up cold, and then i I've been our riding, giving it 15 minutes to settle once I've switched off.

The cold check gives little indication of level, just the fact it has some oil in it:D

Shep
 
i was told check should be warm engine, on centre stand, switch off, wait 3 minutes.

that method has been consistent for me.

checked it cold once, level was very low so thought i'd be ok to add just a little. came up too high when the engine got hot and i had to take some out :blast
 
The only meaningful use I have had out of the sight glass is when I follow the same strict regimen. Drive into the garage, no stopping or parking on the sidestand to get the key. Parking on the center stand in the same position as before, switch the engine off, wait 10 minutes & look at the glass... Then & only then do I have repeatability.....
Realising that this was stoopid, I reverted to a casual glance now & again to see if I can view oil...:nenau
 
right - thanks for the suggestions - glad to know I'm not alone in the variable oil syndrome... I've tried to be fairly consistent in when/how I check, but seems I need to be even more rigorous to be sure it is actually using oil and not just looking like it is... ! I'm fairly certain it is though as it wasn't this variable before I changed the oil/had the rocker cover fixed... but I'll check it again and let you know...
 
These boxer engines are notorious for variable oil readings. There have also been frequent debates on how the oil level should actually be measured (hot/cold; mainstand or sidestatnd first; etc) but most agree that consistency of method is key.

Also be aware that for the first 10k or so miles, the oil consumption is usually quite high before they settle down to a more modest level.

Greg
 
Thanks Greg - I'll keep a watching brief on it for now then and report back! It's done just under 27k miles, but I wonder if the new rocker cover makes it behave like a newer bike :D either way, seems that I need to take a more rigorous scientific approach to checking the oil, I'll let y'all know! Thx for everyone's input... and see you in the pub sometime Greg, as you're not far up the road from me if you're in Enfield!
 
As above, check by putting on centre stand after a ride which gets engine up to full temp. Leave 10min then check. Disregard any readings obtained by other methods.

Unless you can see oil pissing out of the gaskets around the cover, don't worry.
 


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