Does the oil light ever come on???

[Satnav]

i notice there is an oil light on my 1150gs dash but does it work and how bad is the situation once it comes on, can you make it to a garage etc..my window on the sump never shows any oil yet bmw say thats ok, kinda contradicts the manual though.

 

[richie]

Your window should definatly be showing some oil. Otherwise you maybe have the worlds first lubrification free motor...

 

[hops]

i notice there is an oil light on my 1150gs dash but does it work and how bad is the situation once it comes on, can you make it to a garage etc..my window on the sump never shows any oil yet bmw say thats ok, kinda contradicts the manual though.

If your sight glass is not showing any oil then I'd suggest you stick some oil in URGENT. Check it first thing in the morning prior to running the engine. The oil level should be roughly half way up the glass, a bit lower or higher doesn't matter but it should be visible.

If you look immediately after stopping the engine then it will take a couple of mins for the oil to drop back into the sump so do not check it straight away. The oil light is only to give an indication the oil is circulating. DO NOT rely on it for a low level warning.

 

[Grizzly]

I Think You Need a New Dealer?

If you oil light ever does come on your not going to get very far at all, never mind to a garage!!, at least. not without serious engine damage.
There are plenty of threads on the subject of varying levels of oil in the sight glass, but it sounds ridiculous for the dealer to say it's ok. for the oil to never show in the sight glass!!
You don't say what mileage your bike has done - ie low mileage usually means it still uses a fair bit of oil, but I think you should immediately put you bike on the centre stand and top up oil until it's over half-way up the sight glass, - do this slowly and allow to settle before adding more.
I would keep a note of the amount added as it may be useful for future discussions with your dealer??

Cheers.....................................Grizzly

 

[littleredrooster]

Oil light

In common with every other vehicle, the oil light only comes on when there is a lack of pressure in the main oil gallery. Under these circumstances, the engine will grenade in a matter of seconds if allowed to continue to run.

Please do a search on 'oil level' in this forum and you will find all you need to know. If your dealer really told you that having no oil visible in the oil-level glass was OK, that borders on professional negligence. Name him and shame him!!!!

 

[Satnav]

Thanks Gentlemen

I will top up the oil NOW to half the glass then keep my eye on things, it was BMW Grimsby who advised me, the chap went on to say that they prefer to run their bikes with less oil than more, he did however suggest I take it in for a check up, the mileage is 9000 and it was serviced by BMW 3000 ago.

THANKS ALL FOR YOUR COMMENTS

 

[~Stef~]

Re: Oil light

In common with every other vehicle, the oil light only comes on when there is a lack of pressure in the main oil gallery.

Err sorry, but I beg to differ, I know of certain Yamahas and Kawasakis that the oil light is a warning to a low oil level.

My old 83' XJ900 was one and a mates Gpz750 another, he fitted a seaperate oil pressure switch to the rear oil gallery.

~Stef~

 

[Guzzler]

I am still wondering at what point the oil light comes on for the 1150GS.

Don't ask, but I was down a quart at one tme, and no light. Definately NO oil visible in the sight glass.

 

[cookie]

I am still wondering at what point the oil light comes on for the 1150GS.

it will come on when there is no oil pressure at the sender. if you are doing 80 up the motorway at the time, say bye bye to your engine.

if you are pootling about and stop immediately, you will probably be ok.

the good news is, if it does come on, the great likelyhood is that the sender is faulty. the case in every vehicle i have seen with the lamp on except my old vauxhall magnum. that shagged the crank. it had 1/2 pint of oil in it.

some vehicles have a low oil warning light, most don't.

many ppl think an oil pressure warning light indicates low oil level. the only level it will indicate is all oil. this will first be noticable going round corners as the oil sloshes away from the pickup. light comes on & then off again as it returns to the pickup.

maybe the grimsby dealer meant they liked to see the oil level at the bottom of the glass. not that uncommon with other bikes (some ducatis), but you have to know where the oil level is. i would go no lower. in fact i would keep it where bmw suggest.

 

[~Stef~]

i notice there is an oil light on my 1150gs dash but does it work and how bad is the situation once it comes on, can you make it to a garage etc..my window on the sump never shows any oil yet bmw say thats ok, kinda contradicts the manual though.

Try leaving the bike on the side stand over night then check it next morning, to see if any oils visible,if not start worrying

 

[Guzzler]

Re: Re: Does the oil light ever come on???

Try leaving the bike on the side stand over night then check it next morning, to see if any oils visible,if not start worrying

Don't do it this way. This is how I ended up a quart low. Sorry, but this is bogus internet information.

Warm engine to operating temp (i.e. go for a ride). Put bike on center stand (on level ground) while engine is still running. Turn off engine, and wait 10 minutes. Check site glass.

If oil is above the bottom of the red circle, but lower than the half way, add oil. If oil is above half way, but below top of red circle, go for a ride.

Trust me on this, after lengthly e-mails and phone calls to BMW. This is the PROPER way to check oil level. It is what is written in the owners manual, for a reason.