Do you trust your oil sensor

mr badger

mr badger

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The one that reports on the on-board computer that is.

Just that really. Not sure that I do now.

Read it while out where it said 'OK' when up to temp. It's fettling day so as usual went all over the bike including the oil window.

Actually needed a full half litre as there was nothing showing in the window after the usual 10 mins wait. This brought the level jut up to the top of the window circle. Level ground etc etc.

Surely the sensor should have reported 'check'? That's what the manual says should happen.

Anyone else noticed this?
 
I've had it go off once when I was seriously low, but I don't rely on it.

If it triggers, that's an "awooga" to put some more in, otherwise check it as normal...

I've just had a look at the manual, actually, and it reads "The electronic oil-level sensor has registered an excessively low oil level." (emphasis mine). I don't know, however, what it registers as "excessive" - probably to an extent where it can't feed oil in and pressure is therefore in danger of dropping.
 
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Do I trust it ? No.

If it says "Check" I definitely check it, else check it visually on a regular basis, as you have. My dealer advised me not to trust it entirely
 
I think it's a gimmick too. If it only says check when it's nearly too late, I wonder what the 'warning' amounts too.

Remember those nice little red lights we used not to trust? Just more of the same I reckon.

Edit: I think we still have the red light too. Humph
 
SonicTheHedgehog said:
Red light's for pressure, IIRC, which can be completely unrelated to oil volume if things go sploing.
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exactly , if the oil level is too low , the oil can not be taken(sucked?) by the oil pump and the pressure drops . In case of low oil pressure ,the red light comes on , but generally it is too late to avoid engine damaged ...... so it is beter to check your oil level through the window some time . :augie

A+ Pogo
 
It is an oil presure sensor not oil level sensor. Do check oil level at fill ups or at least daily, but the pressure sensor will let you know if the pump packs up or if it gets bloked. Just had a astra diesel in that the oil light came on guy stopped checked his oil which was purfect so he carried on thinking faulty light, after it lost power and started to clatter he stopped and towed in, remove sump and oil pump, oil pump in peices..
 
t'other dave said:
It is an oil presure sensor not oil level sensor. Do check oil level at fill ups or at least daily, but the pressure sensor will let you know if the pump packs up or if it gets bloked. Just had a astra diesel in that the oil light came on guy stopped checked his oil which was purfect so he carried on thinking faulty light, after it lost power and started to clatter he stopped and towed in, remove sump and oil pump, oil pump in peices..
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Dave - The sensor being referred to here is the oil level sensor. It is no substitute for checking the oil level with the sight glass and will operate at low levels of oil. The level at which it operates is the point being discussed here. The BMW engineers have set it to warn at a level below the minimum on the sight glass ......... pesumably to stop nuisance alarms.
There is also an electronic oil check (when the bike is out of gear, engine warm etc.) as well as the oil pressure alarm.
 
ahhh sorry I have an old fashion 1150 without computer wizardry. You are right in saying dont trust it check yourself.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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