Oil Level?

[silentwitness]

Well I've just had a useful afternoon doing an engine oil and gearbox oil change thanks to all the useful advice from you guys.

I followed the oil level filling advice and it worked perfect. However, why is it after a ride of about 15 mins, when I get back the oil window is completely full and settles down at just below full. When I filled it, it was to about 3/4. If I run the engine briefly, the window empties (obviously) then when turned off resettles to the 3/4 again. Weird!

Thanks

 

[Steptoe]

Measure the amount you put in, then it doesn't matter what the level is showing in the window - and you can use the level showing as your actual oil level -

 

[fatnfast]

I would do a search on this site on 'oil level'. The GS does tend to use a bit esp. sub 20k. I use the following:

1. Take bike for a ride to properly warm engine.
2. Back home, allow bike to idle for a min on centre stand.
3. Switch off and put on side stand for 15mins.
4. Put on centre stand, wait for 1/2 hour and read sight glass.
5. Obviously use level ground.

I think if you stick to the same technique each time this will provide a decent reading. If you know your bike uses no oil, then as Steptoe says, just measure what you put in.

 

[adamski49]

Measure the amount you put in, then it doesn't matter what the level is showing in the window - and you can use the level showing as your actual oil level -

But the BM quoted quants always mean I've over-filled it, hence no air bubble in the sight glass after a dealer service.

It's always 250ml less than the service manual, guaranteed, even if I let it drain for an hour when it's hot.

Adam

 

[Mouse]

But the BM quoted quants always mean I've over-filled it, hence no air bubble in the sight glass after a dealer service.

It's always 250ml less than the service manual, guaranteed, even if I let it drain for an hour when it's hot.

I found the same thing today with my 1200 ... it only took 3.5l of oil whereas the manual says a complete change should be 3.95l. Perhaps some oil gets trapped in the oil cooler or some other part of the system ... ?

 

[Kritou]

Would prefilling the oil filter satisfy the manual's 3.95l?

 

[Mouse]

Nope, I did prefill the filter, always do, and no way does it hold more than about 100ml, certainly not half a litre Anyway, I checked the level after running the engine, so by that time the oil filter would have been filled.

My theory about oil trapped in the cooler can't be right either, as if it was trapped, it wouldn't show up in the sight glass.

Odd, but there you go, it's a BMW.