Mixing Oils

[Aidjay]

I do love a good oil thread...

 

[MattW]

Why on earth should I give two hoots what BMW are saying now? Have they said that the 1100 specifically should be run on synth? or semi? Have they had anything to say about the 1100 for the past 10 years? (or 14 since the last update)

Just a cottonpickin' minute...

In your post above you say that people shouldn't listen to what no-names on internet forums have to say and should go by what BMW recommends.

And yet here you are on an internet forum telling people what to use? (You will note, I didn't make any recommendation, I just said what I use and my experiences of it.)

According to the owners handbook as supplied with my '94 1100, I should use a "Brand-name oil for spark ignition engines" - so you don't follow your own advice

I will continue to use what I've always used.. and will continue to recommend it based on my own experience over the long term.

If I ever drain the sump and find the engine in bits.. nicely ground. you can be sure i'll be on here. waving my hands in the air saying 'I was wrong'. But... so far nothing.. and thats over the 6years Ive had this particular bike. and the 7 years; its predecessor. I've used 'Wilko' oil all that time... I tried Mobil super M. and noticed no difference. The levels didn't move. I didn't expect them to.

The above is statistically meaningless. I could just as easily say, I've used fully synthetic for 100,000 miles and hence it's the best. The fact that 'old Fred down the road' smoked 60 a day for 80 years doesn't make smoking safe....

you should read what I said.. its £8.50 for 5L. and thats rather expensive for non branded. (Asdas own is half the price) I've never read anywhere of a car blowing up due to using this oil. In fact quite the contrary... its highly recommended on a lot of forums where the owners car is their pride and joy. And they want a plain Mineral oil with nothing fancy added.

But my point above was that you have no more idea what's in your 'Wilko' oil than I do in my 'Rock Oil', so to make scary statements about 'what if it's got upper cylinder lubricants' in order to justify one over the other is ludicrous.

It takes a bit of a change of mindset for many to recognise that these bikes don't require 'bike' oils... I guess it takes just as much to realise that these bikes need anything fancy at all.. Less in the case of these bikes really does equal more.

Here I agree. But I'd argue that less isn't more, it's just cheaper. If someone wants to use over spec oil it won't hurt, it'll just cost them more. The same if it's formulated for wet clutches - the friction modifiers won't hurt, they're just not needed.

the only oil I do not compromise on is the gearbox/FD.

and I use halfords own brand for that.. to great effect.

I note you aren't following your own advice and "paying attention to what BMW say" again - they seem to specify 'Brand-name' I suppose I shouldn't say that I use fully synthetic, really, really expensive oil in my GB and FD (and a heavier weight than recommended in the gearbox) should I ...

 

[tully]

oil

ok chaps, thanks for the advice, i'm defo going to try mineral oil and appreciate all of your input.....

over & out

 

[davegs]

oil

A few years ago Bmw advised for new bikes ridden hard 12000 on mineral and then use semi synthetic, slower riders allow 18000 miles on mineral and then run on semi synthetic. Mine has run on many things for a couple of years on Mobil 1 after buying a few gallons in Wall Mart Palm Springs for £12 a gallon!,
or as much as I could fit on the bike. And against all warnings it was not anther "torry canyon" and all got home safe with no
interferance from Customs. About 87000 on the clock now and dosent use a lot.
Dave GS

 

[Wrigsby1]

Sale.... Wall Mart... Palm Springs???? I though they were all loaded? This is getting wierder by the min

 

[davegs]

Palm Springs

No quite normal but very hot in summer the rich come out of LA for the winter all the hotels have plenty of empty rooms in summer and it is a big place. Also Coleman camping stove fuel was on sale for $3 a gallon!!!.
dave GS

 

[stolzy]

many on here go on and on about 20w50.. but I've found that difficult to find.

Because its what BM recommend for warmer climates.

In my manual (2005 1150) its the only oil recommended where temperatures go over 30C.

 

[motobiker]

Because its what BM recommend for warmer climates.

In my manual (2005 1150) its the only oil recommended where temperatures go over 30C.

Indeed.. and THAT makes perfect sense. even my older 1996 revised manual says similar... but here in the UK the temperature rarely goes above 30c (or below -20c) so its not the be all and end all. 15w/40 is just as appropriate for our climate and far easier to source.

 

[Dazlove]

20/50

Hi all

I can't believe the regular arguments that constantly appear on the site with regards to oil!

Anyway, if you can't beat 'em - join 'em!

For those looking for a 20/50 oil I have been using this for sometime http://www.morrislubricants.co.uk/scripts/prodview.asp?idcat=100&idProduct=171 , I buy in 25l drums and have a pump for easy use.

I have an 02 1150 with 99K miles on (will pop over the ton next week!) and since using this oil she is as quiet as ever with minimal oil loss between services.

As stated in the posts above, I wouldn't want to tell you to use it, but I use it and am very happy it.

Regards

Dazlove

 

[Packer]

I realised that my 1150 was due an oil change and I'm at Ripley this weekend which will be close to a 1,000 mile round trip.

Got a filter and crush washer from BMW and decided to use up remnant oils. So about 0.5 litres Halfords bike semi-synth 10W-40, most of the rest 2 remnant car oils, 10W-40 semi-synth both and as I was still a bit short I topped it up with diesel specific semi-synth 10W-40. All conformed to the required BMW spec or better.

I'll let you know if something went wrong on Sunday

Mine has almost stopped using oil since it was serviced by Steppers at 60,000 miles. I wonder if he used mineral oil.

OMG, you won't believe the effect that mixing oils has had on my bike

I started hearing strange rattling sounds whilst off-roading on Saturday.

Sunday, coming up the road to Glasgow it hit 136 on the M6 and briefly 140 on the M74 but here was a following wind. Fuel consumption was 72 as far as Penrith but dropped to 70.4 through the Southern Uplands of Scotland.

I'm going to patent the blend, it's perfect.

 

[bristoltriathlonking]

We have strayed somewhat from my initial question, which has been answered!

I've no dropped the oil yet (it's expensive!) and will continue to use Rock Oil, as it's good and cheap.

I'm always amazed at the amount of oil related discussion, anything that keeps the old girl going is good enough for me.

 

[kwallace21]

Just what exactly is "oil" ?

 

[Wrigsby1]

Just what exactly is "oil" ?

Comes from olives, usually virgin or extra virgin (impossible!?) and is great on salads. Can be used with "additive" balsamic vinegar to creat a vignette(?). Tried it in my engine but apart from the delicious smell (made me hungry!), caused all measure of ****duppiness. Cured the surging though....

 

[Packer]

Can be used with "additive" balsamic vinegar to creat a vignette(?).

Vinaigrette even?

 

[Wrigsby1]

Vinaigrette even?

Well done Chef! I thought i had it wrong but didn't check... It's all them Swiss vinaigrettes for sale on 'ere. Can't work out why you need a salad dressing just for Switz! If I run out for't lettuce I'll turn to 20-50 (mineral)

 

[Peltsi]

Next oil chance im going to put Motorex Boxer 15/50 in. It has to be very good since there´s a picture of BMW engine in label.