Cleaning oil level sight glass using engine flush

[Pip5ter]

The oil level sight glass on my '97 1100GS has become opaque and I cant see the oil level. Talking to the mechanic who mot'd it the other day, he said to try running engine flushing oil through as the detergent might clean off the film of crap that's built up on the inside. Anybody tried this and had any success?

Also, if I need to change the sight glass how do you remove the old one without getting glass inside the engine?
I have tried searching but only got threads from the great oil level debate!

Cheers for any help

 

[Steptoe]

The oil sight "glass is a unit, not just a window.

Buy a new replacement and you'll see what i mean. The face is plastic not glass, and you can't knock any in the engine because it's a semi-sealed "unit" with a metal body.

Just knock a small screwdriver type instrument into the plastic face and lever it out.
Repace using a suitable sized socket, and tap into place.

 

[King Rat]

Is that really all that holds it in place?

I suppose if it is a good solid fit it can't fall out.

 

[Pip5ter]

The oil sight "glass is a unit, not just a window.

Buy a new replacement and you'll see what i mean. The face is plastic not glass, and you can't knock any in the engine because it's a semi-sealed "unit" with a metal body.

Just knock a small screwdriver type instrument into the plastic face and lever it out.
Repace using a suitable sized socket, and tap into place.

Thanks Steptoe. I'm gonna run the engine flush through it anyway but I'm pleased replacing the sight glass is a straight forward job if it doesn't work,

Cheers!

 

[shready]

Is that really all that holds it in place?

I suppose if it is a good solid fit it can't fall out.

Neil did mine a couple of months ago and I confirm it is a simple job, well Neil made it look so.

He even did mine without draining the engine oil. I just supported the bike at 45 degrees, while he worked his magic.

 

[Pip5ter]

Just to let those who are interested know that I flushed the engine with a detergent oil and then changed the oil and filter. I can now see my oil level in the sight glass so it worked for me.

Thanks for all responses.