Oil...Level...Consumption...

[jonnie comet]

Hi guys

Just bought a used GS, only 1,200 miles on the clock ( why do they buy 'em ? ) I have been reading various threads re oil levels/consumption etc,...Have we got a difinitive answer to the question.... "How do you check the oil level on an 1150 GS ? "...Has anyone siezed one by running too low?....Has anyone " blown " anything by running one too high? .....Everyone makes excuses for the oil consumption, saying that they are " old tec' " but, I have run three Harleys ( is any 'bike more old tec' ) and all three never used a single drop of oil. I have been riding for 30 odd years, but am new to beemers....using oil, and not knowing how to check the level properly, is not what I am used to. Definitely enjoy riding the 'bike though.....hope it's not about to sieze, pop, explode ...etc....etc....rampant paranoia imminent....

Cheers

Jonnie

 

[Costas Tsiringakis]

Hi ,oil consumption is very normal for the boxers.[/CHi ,oil consumption is very normal for the boxers.
The 1150 can burn up to 1lt for 100 klms.
You can check the oil after a short runso that the engine warms up and then let the bike on level parallel to the ground for 10 minutes.

The best is to have enough oil to cover up to the middle of the sight glass.

is a process that you do often because bms want our attention as much as possible.

It will be difficult to damage the bike by not having enough oil in the engine because there is also a warning lamp on the dashboard.

Take care
CostasOLOR]

 

[(RIP) maverick]

Just bought a used GS, only 1,200 miles on the clock - rampant paranoia imminent....

Hi Jonnie,

Check this previous thread as there was loads of comments and view of oil usage on these tracktors. Mine's a 94' 1100GS and still uses about 250ml of oil on a 1000 mile trip when runned at 90mph+. Current mileage 49000.

<a href="http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10313&highlight=oil+rant">Oil Rant Link</a>


cheers


PS Costas - Remember the Oil Light could blow or have a dodgy connection and then you won't know if the bike's low on oil or not. I normally listen to my engine sound and the moment the tappets start talking I have a look..

 

[Costas Tsiringakis]

Thanks for the tip Maverick I was just mentioning the light for another way to tell.
I personally prefer the eye inspection.

By the way have you noticed when you lean the bike on the sidestand for 15 minutes half hour smoke from burned oil when you stsrt the bike again and if yes is that normal?

 

[wessie]

By the way have you noticed when you lean the bike on the sidestand for 15 minutes half hour smoke from burned oil when you stsrt the bike again and if yes is that normal?

Yes it's normal. When parked on the sidestand oil seeps past the rings into the combustion chamber as the engine cools. When you start the bike up the oil gets burned.

You've just reminded me of why I had to top up with oil after my weekend ride. 60 miles then stop for lunch, park on side stand, 60 miles stop for coffee, park on side stand, ride home. Top up with 200ml of oil.

Whereas the previous 1000 miles I did not use any oil. Why? Because over winter most of my trips were short blasts in cold weather involving a 40-60 mile circuits without any coffee stops and the bike was always parked on the mainstand at the end of each trip.

 

[oblertone]

And remember .............

If you leave the bike on the sidestand for a short period before putting it on the main stand, you get a different oil level reading ! In my case ('97 1100 - 10k), about a quarter of the sight glass more if left on the side stand while I open the garage.

I don't suppose it matters but you need to read it consistently to give you an idea of useage.

 

[littleredrooster]

It will be difficult to damage the bike by not having enough oil in the engine because there is also a warning lamp on the dashboard.
Costas

Once again........the light on the dashboard only tells you that you have NO PRESSURE IN THE MAIN OIL GALLERY. When this happens, the engine WILL GRENADE IN ABOUT 10 SECONDS!!

You have been warned; it is not an oil level gauge.

 

[BawdyMonk]

Hi guys

Just bought a used GS, only 1,200 miles on the clock ( why do they buy 'em ? ) I have been reading various threads re oil levels/consumption etc,...Have we got a difinitive answer to the question.... "How do you check the oil level on an 1150 GS ? "...Has anyone siezed one by running too low?....Has anyone " blown " anything by running one too high? .....Everyone makes excuses for the oil consumption, saying that they are " old tec' " but, I have run three Harleys ( is any 'bike more old tec' ) and all three never used a single drop of oil. I have been riding for 30 odd years, but am new to beemers....using oil, and not knowing how to check the level properly, is not what I am used to. Definitely enjoy riding the 'bike though.....hope it's not about to sieze, pop, explode ...etc....etc....rampant paranoia imminent....

Cheers

Jonnie

After having a few Honda's I was stunned by the initial oil use of a boxer, however after the first 4000 miles I noticed mine dropped off to next to nothing APART from when making lots of sidestand stops, I always park mine on the center stand and check in the mornings, when topping up give it a sip at a time as it's far too easy to overfill, just aim for 2/3 full, halway between the dot and the top line and you should be OK

As Maverick says, the engine "chats" to you when it's not happy!

 

[Costas Tsiringakis]

Thanks guys.

 

[toucan]

engine running

i know this topic has been done to death, but has anyone checked where the oil level is when the engine is running. on my ADV with 1000km its about 1/3 way up (the sightglass, pervert).
i have only added almost about 438.56234ml during running it in, and i have been riding fairly hard, especially the last 500km.

 

[(RIP) maverick]

Toucan I am sure the sightglass looks pretty empty when running the motor as far as I can recall? Will fire the beast up tonight and have a look.

Geez bru only 1000km's done and you live in SA - Scandalous dude! Hope you enjoy the new ADV!

Cheers

 

[Guzzler]

Once again........the light on the dashboard only tells you that you have NO PRESSURE IN THE MAIN OIL GALLERY. When this happens, the engine WILL GRENADE IN ABOUT 10 SECONDS!!

You have been warned; it is not an oil level gauge.

Littleredrooster is correct!

From personal experience on an R1150GS, ran 2 quarts US liquid (1.8 l) low. NO LIGHT!

 

[jonnie comet]

Many thanks for all your advice guys....much appreciated....

Jonnie

 

[DavidHolmes]

Once again........the light on the dashboard only tells you that you have NO PRESSURE IN THE MAIN OIL GALLERY. When this happens, the engine WILL GRENADE IN ABOUT 10 SECONDS!!

You have been warned; it is not an oil level gauge.

I agree it is not an oil level guage, but mine was on for a hell of a lot longer than 10 seconds (get to a standstill from lane 3 of the M25 safely at 07:47 on a weekday morning in less than 10 seconds and I will be impressed) and the engine did not grenade. And has done another 30k since.

 

[littleredrooster]

I agree it is not an oil level guage, but mine was on for a hell of a lot longer than 10 seconds (get to a standstill from lane 3 of the M25 safely at 07:47 on a weekday morning in less than 10 seconds and I will be impressed) and the engine did not grenade. And has done another 30k since.

OK, so I took the worst case scenario - flat out in 5th, red line......there's always one smart-arse.
Bet you pulled the clutch in - wimp!