Now I'm panicking!!

[number44]

I started a thread the other day titled noisy clutch/gearbox and I thought that was an issue. Now I'm really panicking! I went for a run the other night and as I always do I have a glance at the oil level before I wheel her out the garage. It looked like it had dropped a little below the half way mark on the screen but wasn't sure and never gave it another thought so I headed off. I just went out to the garage to look over the bike and the oil level is showing at the base of the red line. I only covered 108 miles!!

What is going on??? Oil and filter was done at BMW 900 miles ago along with gear oil. Where has my oil gone, whats happening and is this to do with the rattle Ive been hearing (see other thread titled clutch/gearbox noise) I'm in bits here...no signs of oil leaking anywhere, no pools, no residue I can see. HEEEEELLLLLPPPPPPP

 

[Schtum]

You don't say how old the bike is or how many miles it's covered. However, boxers use oil; some more than others. Most settle down after they've done 10K miles or so but it does depend on how they've been run in from new. Top it up and follow the procedure for checking it regularly.

 

[Beemerman59]

The oil level will vary loads in the sight glass if you look at it every time using a different routine. There's lots of nice little pockets in the engine to capture oil. The thing to do is always check it the same way. The way I do it is after a longish run (not starting the engine and letting it idle for 5 mins), then leave it on the sidestand for 10 mins and then back up onto the centre stand to check the level. That way I get a consistent level. My bike doesn't use hardly any oil between 6k services - I never top up.

 

[Popell]

You may find the level varies depending on how long it was since the engine was run - I undersdtand that the oil in the cooler can run back after a while and therefore give a different reading to 5mins after switch off.


Could be wrong though, mine uses a little but I am using 10/40w, a chnge to 20/50w for the summer may stop/lessen this

 

[number44]

Sorry its a 2008 with 23k on the clock. Always check it the same way, park it up after a ride, check when I next go out. Has sat at the mid point every check. Ive just started the bike and run her for 2 mins and turned her of again, waiting for the oil to settle. Will be back shortly..

 

[number44]

There is something not right here. The bike is back on its centre stand where it always sits and the oil level is showing at the foot of the oil inspection window. Now I did 300 miles last week on a day trip and the oil was showing fine before and after ride, I did 108 mile the other night and its gone from showing half on the inspection window to the bottom of the red line after a short run. What is going on?

 

[flatdog]

Ive just started the bike and run her for 2 mins and turned her of again, waiting for the oil to settle. Will be back shortly..

Is the wrong way of checking the oil.

Take it for a run. Leave on side stand for a few minutes then lift it onto the mainstand and check after 10 mins.

Do not let the bike idle unattended or stationary at home. That will cause problems

 

[flatdog]

If its a little low, top up with some more - probably 250ml, don't over fill or you won't see the oil level in the sight glass and panic again
Ride it for another hundred or so miles and check it again, just moniter.
Unless there is a pool of oil/clouds of smoke or very oily startup I wouldn't be concerned.

Rattling and other noises could be anything or nothing with these bikes.

 

[fatnfast]

Is the wrong way of checking the oil.

Take it for a run. Leave on side stand for a few minutes then lift it onto the mainstand and check after 10 mins.

Do not let the bike idle unattended or stationary at home. That will cause problems

Totally agree. You will get all different readings otherwise. You need to use this same method every time, otherwise its pointless.

 

[number44]

Is the wrong way of checking the oil.

Take it for a run. Leave on side stand for a few minutes then lift it onto the mainstand and check after 10 mins.

Do not let the bike idle unattended or stationary at home. That will cause problems

So, why is that every time Ive ever checked the oil its been on the centre stand (cold) and the looking glass has shown the correct level of oil. Now its not? I'm hesitant to take it out anywhere but need to find out whats going on. The only oil I have in the garage is 10/40 fully synth and its got 5/40 in her.

 

[flatdog]

whats the correct level of oil to you?

So long as there is oil in the sight glass I've never worried about seizing it. Even if its right at the bottom.
I tend to check as I've said, and keep it topped up within the sight glass.
Add a bit of 10/40 then if it's low for reassurance.

not going to blow up or spit the impure oil out is it?

 

[number44]

Whats got me is how it can go from the half way point on the looking glass to the bottom of the red circle line in 108 miles, surely that cant be right?

 

[brut33]

Maybe it's suffering from an internal hemorrhage...

 

[flatdog]

Whats got me is how it can go from the half way point on the looking glass to the bottom of the red circle line in 108 miles, surely that cant be right?

The oil level in the sight glass is NOTORIOUSLY inaccurate. Many factors contribute to the different levels.
You only have to do a search on here to see how inaccurate it can be.
So don't check it cold.
I'll repeat that Cold checking is no good.

The consensus on here is, as I've described above, ride it, sidestand for a few minutes, then pop her up on the main stand for 1/4 - 1/2 hour and check the level then.
If it's a little low THEN, then top up with the oil of your choice - usually halfway up the sight glass (is where I keep mine) 100ml at a time.
Cold no good,
just idled on mainstand - no good,
cold on sidestand then main stand no good.

 

[number44]

The oil level in the sight glass is NOTORIOUSLY inaccurate. Many factors contribute to the different levels.
You only have to do a search on here to see how inaccurate it can be.
So don't check it cold.
I'll repeat that Cold checking is no good.

The consensus on here is, as I've described above, ride it, sidestand for a few minutes, then pop her up on the main stand for 1/4 - 1/2 hour and check the level then.
If it's a little low THEN, then top up with the oil of your choice - usually halfway up the sight glass (is where I keep mine) 100ml at a time.
Cold no good,
just idled on mainstand - no good,
cold on sidestand then main stand no good.

Right, I have done all of the above and the oil level is definitely low, been out for a ride, left her for 20 minutes on her side stand then back on the main stand. Bottom of the looking glass. I really cant understand how it can show half way up then after 100 miles show hardly any. Doesnt stack for me. Next problem, how do I can remove the filler cap? Always done at the dealers, dont have a tool. Can I buy one at Halfords?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

FFS

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Whats got me is how it can go from the half way point on the looking glass to the bottom of the red circle line in 108 miles, surely that cant be right?

Really don't worry about it. It's a big old ditch pump engine with loads of oil whizzing around in there and you'll do no damage if it's a little low. The oil level warning will come on if it's getting too low. It really doesn't matter how you check your oil as long as it's the same every time.

I use the same method as you i.e give it a quick look before I start in the morning. As long as I see oil in the sight glass I'm good to go and I've learned over the years (and 111,000miles) it can be anywhere from right at the bottom to right at the top. Keep on eye on it over the next few days and I bet you you will find all is well.

 

[flatdog]

FFS

Is there a radiator? JB you naughty boy.

44, if your filler has the same as mine then you should be able to use a coin or large flat bladed screwdriver.
Its clockwise and should be quite easy to turn. If It has an aftermarket filler cap then thats another problem entirely..

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Right, I have done all of the above and the oil level is definitely low, been out for a ride, left her for 20 minutes on her side stand then back on the main stand. Bottom of the looking glass. I really cant understand how it can show half way up then after 100 miles show hardly any. Doesnt stack for me. Next problem, how do I can remove the filler cap? Always done at the dealers, dont have a tool. Can I buy one at Halfords?

Mate, you are getting your knickers in a twist about this and getting confused. You have plenty in there so check it over the next few days and see what happens.....you will be fine and don't get all confused about different check methods. Go back to doing what you have been doing and ignore people saying you are doing it wrong.......you are not. You have to be careful you don't overfill and I reckon a lot of people panic about the differing levels, blame oil usage when all they are doing is overfilling the engine.

Just leave it for a few days to see what's going on.

The tool for the oil filler is in your tool kit and is a triangular plastic thingy.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Is there a radiator? JB you naughty boy.

44, if your filler has the same as mine then you should be able to use a coin or large flat bladed screwdriver.
Its clockwise and should be quite easy to turn. If It has an aftermarket filler cap then thats another problem entirely..

All JB worries about is has he enough coal to get the steam up