Low Oil Warning

[adv_gs800]

Hi

So I'm in Bracknell at work- my 09 1200gsa has come up with the oil icon on the lcd screen- like a oil container with a wobbly line underneath. I have the bike up on the center stand and the (cold) oil live it ouching the bottom of the red circle.

The nearest oil is in Turnbridge Wells... or home, which is about 35 miles of motorway away.

Am thinking about riding it home, just taking it easy... thoughts?


Ian

 

[claw]

If your oil light is on and the oil is just visible above the red line, i'd top it up first.

Just my opinion though, i'd risk a couple of low speed miles before a top up but not 35.

 

[adv_gs800]

If your oil light is on and the oil is just visible above the red line, i'd top it up first.
QUOTE]

Problem is- this oil is like rocking horse sh1t.

 

[Timpo]

Any oil is better than no oil.......
I don't think anyone on here will tell you to ride your bike with an oil warning device in alarm.
There is a proceedure to read oil level, and I don't think it is when the engine is cold.
Obviously periodic checking is being missed as you are relying on the warning device..... bad practice dude!
Have you checked your tyre pressures lately or are you leaving that to the electronic tyre pressure sensor device....... no what I mean now?

Timpo.

 

[thosoneill]

it won't harm it if you top it up with any multigrade mineral oil - castrol or the like - at least it will get you home without worrying about your lovely new investment

 

[John Armstrong]

As you're in Bracknell and own a 1200 GS I'll guess you work for BM

In which case, call out the BM assist

Otherwise I'd ride it home carefully as long as the oil is showing in the window when warm. Or if it really bothers you, get some engine oil from the nearest car garage and put 1/4 a litre in. 1/4 litre should extinguish the warning and that much won't affect the rest of the oil too much. As long as it's engine oil and somewhere near the right spec. All IMO, YMMV.

 

[cookie]

ANY oil that is within bmw specs could be added to correct level then left until next oil change.

 

[adv_gs800]

As far as periodic checks goes...

I had my 600 mile service done 4 days ago.

Don't work for BMW either- and when I asked the local dealer to put me through to 'Motorad'- they had no idea what I was going on about...

 

[John Armstrong]

As far as periodic checks goes...

I had my 600 mile service done 4 days ago.

I'd be on the phone to the dealer then.

Assuming you haven't done many miles either they didn't fill the oil correctly, it has a major leak, the oil warning is incorrect.

 

[adv_gs800]

ANY oil that is within bmw specs could be added to correct level then left until next oil change.

I can get the 10W40 from Halfords... also, the Castrol website suggests 10W40...

I have a litre of 20W50 at home....

As far as the oil check goes- I looked when it was cold... below the red line, obvioulsy oil expands when hot, right? so if it was warmer, there would be 'more'...?

 

[John Armstrong]

I can get the 10W40 from Halfords... also, the Castrol website suggests 10W40...

I have a litre of 20W50 at home....

For the weather at the moment 10w40 for what we hope it'll be 20w50, if you only put 1/4 litre in it won't materially affect how the engine runs / sounds.

As for the level when hot / cold cars etc using dipsticks IIRC do it when cold, BM bikes don't

 

[Timpo]

As far as the oil check goes- I looked when it was cold... below the red line, obvioulsy oil expands when hot, right? so if it was warmer, there would be 'more'...?

There won't be 'more' but the true level reading as detailed in the manual..... you have read the manual haven't you....

Get some oil of the correct spec and top it up, easy.

Timpo.

 

[claw]

Pop into Halfrauds and top up with the best they have available. They usually stock a couple of different specific bike oils.

And as said above, sounds like your dealer needs talking too. Mine used quite a bit of oil for the first few thousand miles, not an excessive mount though.
If you've just had a service four days ago and you've only been doing your 70 mile round trip to work and back in that time, somethings not right somewhere.

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

Surely any 20/50 oil will get you home

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

Blimey an oil thread which has Grabbed the Forum by the Nuts

 

[Slowdown]

Problem is- this oil is like rocking horse sh1t.

Says the man who's never been in an independant motor factors or Halfords....

Surely any 20/50 oil will get you home

Practically any oil would be better than none - and don't call me Shirley.

 

[adv_gs800]

OK, the story goes....

I ended up in a KTM dealer... who, when I mentioned it was for a Beemer, spat on the floor and wouldn't look me in the eye!!!

I have purchased some 4T Legend 20W/50 Semi Synthetic oil. Motorex of Switzerland. The plan is now to dribble it in until the line is about half way up the red circle...

Unfortunately, my manual is at home, wedging a door open I think...

 

[GS TRV]

paging Tarka

 

[adv_gs800]

Found this to be quite useful:

http://www.motorcycleinfo.co.uk/index.cfm?fa=contentGeneric.obxaszqugbllbuna&pageId=99039

 

[SnoringBiker]

Hi Adv 800

As long as the bike has enough oil in the the engine shouldn't be any problem. Considering that it's a new bike still in warranty if I were you I'll call the BMW recovery service to come and check the bike for me, actually I can PM you the telephone number of the BMW recovery service guy that cover the Backnell area. Also, I work and live in Bracknell so if you want I can come where you are and have a look for you too but as I told you before is better to stick by the book specially if it's still in warranty. Let me know if there is something else that I can do to help you.

Roberto