Fianl Drive & Gearbox Oil - Semi Synthetic OK ??

[Andy Hird]

I'm servicing my bike, but can only find SAE75W/90 in SEMIsynthetic, in my local shops.

Is this ok, or is it absolutely necessary that I get fully synthetic ??

Cheers

Andy

 

[Slowdown]

Why not get it mail order from somewhere like http://www.opieoils.co.uk - they even do a discount for UKGSER subscribers

 

[Andy Hird]

Why not get it mail order from somewhere like http://www.opieoils.co.uk - they even do a discount for UKGSER subscribers

Bit too late, as I've already put semi-synthetic in.

If the semi-synthetic is no good, then I'll drain it out and use fully synthetic.

By the way, who was the genius at BMW who designed the final drive oil filler position ??........Great idea to put it right next to the brake disc, so any overfill, or spills drops right onto the disc !!

Cheers

Andy

 

[Spout]

I've been using semi in mine from new.

And apart from a failed rear drive bearing I've had no problems at all

 

[RickG]

I'd not skimp on this as anything that may prolong the life of the FD bearings is worth it (including the hassle of doing the change). The specified castrol stuff is quickly despatched by Opie oils and is seems to be the only oil that meets the full spec', though no doubt someone will be along as an oil thread is a red rag to a bull

 

[autogs]

am i missing something here,the fd and g box use different oils?

 

[Spout]

I'd not skimp on this as anything that may prolong the life of the FD bearings is worth it

The big rear drive bearing in the 1200s doesn't run in the oil - it's a grease filled (if you're lucky) sealed bearing. I was being flippant with my comment above
The original fully synth oil was specified when the rear drives were "sealed for life". So I reckon a good semi (of the correct grade) changed regularly will be OK.

 

[Kremmen]

am i missing something here,the fd and g box use different oils?

On a 09 plate they don't... both use Castrol SAF XO

 

[autogs]

well there you go,every days a school day,when i asked vines about my 08 it was xo in fd and ep oil in g box

 

[Beemerman59]

The hyper expensive BMW service manual for my 2008 1200GSA specs Castrol SAF-XO in both Final Drive and Gearbox so thats what I have on its way from Opie Oils.

 

[autogs]

The hyper expensive BMW service manual for my 2008 1200GSA specs Castrol SAF-XO in both Final Drive and Gearbox so thats what I have on its way from Opie Oils.

im going to ask them again then

 

[RickG]

The big rear drive bearing in the 1200s doesn't run in the oil - it's a grease filled (if you're lucky) sealed bearing. I was being flippant with my comment above
The original fully synth oil was specified when the rear drives were "sealed for life". So I reckon a good semi (of the correct grade) changed regularly will be OK.

Your right about the one sealed bearing but that isn't usually the problem. Instead it's the bearings that support the pinion shaft that are often the issue. The fact that BumW recognised that sealed for life actually meant sealed until the FD needs rebuilding was clear when in late 06 they uprated a needle roller and added the drain plug. In spite of this minor improvement, any oil that helps prolong the life of these bearings is worth it in my opinion, including regular oil changes, if only to drain out the swarf..