Have I ruined my engine?

[petevito2]

Can not believe some of the replies on this forum, the guy asked for some help and yet again many have come up with doom and gloom scenario’s, and referring to the guy as a fool for even contemplating leaving his bike running for 10 mins.

Infact you can run you bike longer then 10 minutes on the center stand, it will take that long just to get normal operating temp. People who start and ride first thing in the morn will be causing excessive wear on engine components because the oil has not been given sufficient time to heat and circulate, meaning the oil and protective additives will not be protecting as efficiently.


Glad to hear all worked out for the best Gazzza

+1 the guy was only asking for a bit of advise some of the people on this site never cease to amaze...

 

[(RIP) maverick]

People who start and ride first thing in the morn will be causing excessive wear on engine components because the oil has not been given sufficient time to heat and circulate, meaning the oil and protective additives will not be protecting as efficiently.

Glad to hear all worked out for the best Gazzza

Happy Christmas

Ty

I have been riding all my bikes & cars like this for years and they never stand and idle to get them warm. Never had a seized engine and always exceptionally high mileage from the engines.

If you start the engine up and the oil is not reaching the right places in seconds you have a problem like a blocked oil way or pump not working properly. Leave a boxer engine idling on the main stand in the dark and see how the headers start glowing red hot after a couple of minutes - that can't be good

On boxer motors there are a few of things I tend to stick too:

• Get the bike upright when I start it i.e. never on the sidestand starting or idling (It might work for you and continue to do so )
• Take it easy the first 2-3 miles
• Sit on the bike for at least a minute when I stop and it is switched off for the oil to drain evenly before sticking it on the sidestand

Last but not the least always check your bike over when you collect it from a service - mechanics are human as well and do make mistakes

 

[Rushy]

Can not believe some of the replies on this forum, the guy asked for some help and yet again many have come up with doom and gloom scenario’s, and referring to the guy as a fool for even contemplating leaving his bike running for 10 mins.

Who did that then ?.............

Glad to hear all worked out for the best Gazzza

+ 1

+1 the guy was only asking for a bit of advise some of the people on this site never cease to amaze...

And he got quite a lot of advice didn't he. Ask a question on an internet forum and you'll get loads of different opinions . I'm sure he's old enough and big enough to deicde which to follow and which to ignore.

I still say its not good to leave a GS idling away on its sidestand like he first said he did. Done repeatedly its not going to be best for the engine and as Proff said it has been know to melt the oil sight glass. Get the oil circulating , then get on it and ride it with the fast idle .......thats BMWs recommendation too from memory.

 

[Gazzza]

Thanks all
I agree that these forums are useful, particularly the variation in opinion. I didn't even take offence at JPR's response: "Don't come whinging on here cause you haven't got a clue" , even though I thought that's exactly what these forums are for (those that don't have a clue rather than the whingers). If we knew the answers we wouldn't bother the rest of you, but there we are.

Anyway, I'm really grateful to all of you for taking the time to respond. Should get the bike back tomorrow so will see how the land lies.

Gaz

 

[deaninkl]

Gazzza, glad to read the dealer response, and that all is well.

PEOPLE - modern engines using modern oils do not need warning up, and have not neede so for a very long time.

Start it, get on it and ride it.

the crap that some born again bikers come out with.... these things are not BSA bantoms...

 

[majorbumsore]

Glad to hear the bike is ok Gazza,

can i ask the forums opinion on what oil Gazza could have used to top his bike up with and where should he buy it....


I'll get mi coat....!

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Be careful whatyou say

".......... these things are not BSA bantoms.." I never had these complicated issues with my BSA Bantam. it reached full operating temperature almost instantly and full performance capability within about a minute - which was coincidentally the time it took to reach maximum speed of 30 mph approx.

 

[luckylucian]

Why do we join a forum which refers to its members as "Tossers", then get seem to get upset with a bit of idle chit chat.

I'm happy for everyone to express their opinion

I'm a Tosser and think this.........

 

[(RIP) Proff]

I'm a Tosser and I love you all
just don't ask me oil q's

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Tosser ??

I am not at all sure whether the term is friendly or insulting - but I think that, as in most forms of communication, you tend to get the replies you deserve. If you ask a stupid question (yes, there are plenty asked) don't be surprised to get a stupid answer. If you take offence at such replies just leave the thread - its easy! Personally being an expert in all matters relating to motorcycling (and most other sports and pastimes) I rarely take offence as I know so much more about everything than anybody daring to disagree with me as they are obviously ignorant. I can even READ my handbook, which obviously a lot of 'tossers' cannot and if I am ever stuck I can rely on my £15 Haynes manual (postage included!) However I am rather 'on the sidelines' as my bike doesn't seem to go wrong, my battery always seems to be fully charged, I don't have problems with parking charges, motorists are kind to me and fellow 'motards,' and the sun is generally shining. BUT today it is -2°C and I have not been out on the bike so I have time to write all this!

 

[Gazzza]

All good . bike returned. works fine. no obvious damage. just had a beautiful but cold 85 mile ride. dealer offered me 40% off next service as an apology for hassle caused. I'm happy with this. All's well that ends well. Thanks everyone for your helpful comments
Gaz

 

[mechcanico lee]

All good . bike returned. works fine. no obvious damage. just had a beautiful but cold 85 mile ride. dealer offered me 40% off next service as an apology for hassle caused. I'm happy with this. All's well that ends well. Thanks everyone for your helpful comments
Gaz

Told ya it would be ok, the dealer has been fair with you ..sorted it all out ,offered you a discount for next service,its a fair outcome.......... yes it shouldnt happen but as they say " shit happens" just get on with it.

Alls well

 

[(RIP) Proff]

I think the lesson to be learned from this story is, don't put carpet under your bike,cause youll never spot an oil leak.
Don't run an air /oil cooled bike for 10 mins,oh sorry, was it two, on the stand.
Don't come whinging on here cause you haven't got a clue.
Lets just blame the mechanic,OK ?

OI you !!
I'm the Grumpy old Bastard from Walsall on this site !!!
you're just me apprentice

As it says on the oil container START AND RIDE !!!
Castrol Activeo as recommended for BMW oilyheads

 

[harry]

OI you !!
I'm the Grumpy old Bastard from Walsall on this site !!!
you're just me apprentice

As it says on the oil container START AND RIDE !!!
Castrol Activeo as recommended for BMW oilyheads

Duckhams for me

 

[miked]

"As it says on the oil container START AND RIDE !!!
Castrol Activeo as recommended for BMW oilyheads "

But Proff, are you sure about that???

 

[PanzerPilot]

Going back to the engine temperature thing, I was in some traffic in the summer and my temperature went up to six bars on the display, I thought it would be f****d but it didn't use any oil at all and i'd say it runs even better than ever now! You won't kill a boxer engine, they are bombproof!! The FPC might make it stop though.........
Richard
2008 R1200GS Adventure Magma Red

 

[Pukmeister]

Same happened to me a few years ago (when BMW specced 10W40 for the GS), riding through Alton town centre in heavy traffic in summer and the oil warning light just began to come on at idle and she sounded slightly rattly unless I raised the idle.

Rode to SPC (now Bahnstormer) getting air through the oil cooler, parked up and allowed her to fully cool and she ran fine.

Not had the same problem since using 20W50 mineral and 10W50 fully synth.

Thankfully they are pretty robust engines.

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

Thankfully they are pretty robust engines.

good one

 

[coolcol]

OK so all are pleased with the outcome as I'am Dealer said sorry and made good, but what would have been the outcome if like is all just got on and rode off. Oil over the tyre,it could have been horrendous. the dealer is a very lucky man, he should have given you FREE services for LIFE as he very nearly taken your's I ride a GS not one of the horses of the apocalypse , I'am not a phantom of doom just a realist.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

A simple mistake

It all boils down to an error by a mechanic. There is only one time when you need to look over your bike really carefully - that is when it has been 'out of your hands' such as during a service.