Oil Temperature display question on riders console

[adventuredon]

My 2010 has no oil leaks, has plenty of new oil and rides fine..I have no errors listed on a recent 911 readout and no dash warning lights. So at this time just curious....

When starting to ride, I notice that the bars on the left of the dash (oil temp) are non existent for the first mile or two. They I see one bar, then soon after they show as expected between the top and bottom marks. All good. From memory, this hasn't been the case before so wondering....

What sensor measures this, where is it and how long does it take to register YOUR oil temp?
So if it is a sensor starting to fail, I would prefer to change it before any leaks if that is potentially the case.
As an aside, is this the same sensor that shows "ok oil" on the computer when at a stand still etc?

Live in London, so no fear of bike being that cold!

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

It won't leak, it just won't show on the gauge. I cant remember how long it took but obviously it is colder just now so it will take longer.
No it isn't the same sensor as the oil level sensor.
If the temp reads around the middle in normal driving I would say it's OK.

 

[adventuredon]

Cheers. Yeah, I guess its ok, no leaks and no warnings> ...just curious how long others wait for a bar to show.

 

[Paul Wakefield]

Depends on the external temp. For the first bar, I guess 1/4 mile to 3/4 mile when hot/mild, up to a couple of miles when cold. Normal running temp between 3 and 7 miles (hot/cold). Slightly guessing at this by what I can vaguely recall the temperature being at the various villages I pass through on a regular journey. But probably close enough for your purposes!

 

[adventuredon]

Ok, so been watching my temp etc. At start up I have no bars and after about 2 or 3 miles I have 3 bars. All good. What I have noticed though is that the Oil OK sign wont come up for quite a while. even when I have 4/5 bars showing on the temp side, (after about 2 miles or 20 minutes in London), I only then get the Oil OK flash up. Then I left the bike parked for 2 hours and when I started it it showed Oil OK straight away...-obv both times when stationary and side stand up as it doesn't show up otherwise. So I am thinking it likely that this is the oil level sensor ? is on the way out - anyone know where this is, how to replace it or what will happen if it fails? Not too worried, just curious...Oh and it has oil in the sight glass!

 

[mikeyboy]

Oil level, oil temp,different displays
Oil temp,r/h side top of engine by cooler pipe
Oil level r/h side lower in front of cylinder

 

[fatnfast]

Oil OK will operate when:

Engine is at operating temperature
It has been idling for at least 30 seconds
Sidestand is up
The bike is upright

Your bike sounds fine.

 

[adventuredon]

Well. If the temp bars are at 4, and having driven for 15 minutes..one would assume it's at operating temp. Then again. When bike stood for 2 hours, it most certainly was not at op temp but showed okay....so please read op and respond accordingly. Ta

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Temp is from the heads, they get hot quick but the sump oil takes longer. The heads also cool quicker than the internal oil temp due to the big fins on them. As an experiment run the bike up to temp then shut it down. In 20 mins the heads will be cold. Now drain the oil over you hand. No seriously don't but I hope you get the point. As everyone has said before your bike is OK. Don't believe me still? OK level sensor is on the right hand side bellow the jug. Now go waste your time and money but you will be happy because you have proven there was no imminent doom. There are several temp sensors by the way just in case you want to replace all of them as well. They are located on the backs of the heads, you can't miss them and one under the tank, top of engine as part of the oil circuit.

I would advise you buy/download (let your conscious be your guide) a rep rom. It will give you the correct procedures for diagnosing any faults you think you might have as well as instructions on how to replace every single part. Buying a GS 911 would be a good idea as well. You can actually read what the sensors are outputting. If you do go this route, yes it's perfectly normal for the head temperatures to be 150c so don't have a heart attack when you see this.

Oh wait you won't believe that either, never mind :-/

 

[lawvar]

Oil level with on-board computerOE
Oil-level indicator 1 gives you an indication of the engine oil level. You can call up this reading only when the motorcycle is at a standstill.
The preconditions for the oil level check are as follows: Engine at operating temperature. Engine idling for at least ten seconds. Side stand retracted.
Make sure the motorcycle is upright.
The readings mean: OK: Oil level is correct. CHECK: Check the oil level the next time you stop for fuel. ---: Oil level cannot be measured (conditions as stated above not satisfied).
If you call up another reading on the on-board computer, this symbol remains visible until the sensor again registers a correct oil level.
The most recently measured level is displayed for five seconds when you next switch on the ignition
This is what the BMW owners manual states

Also PLEASE don't give members a hard time who are worried about faults were not all on big incomes and running a BMW can be expensive.
Asking questions and being informed is not a crime

 

[adventuredon]

Thanks lawvar, mikeyboy for the information. to the other poster intent on being sarcastic, I get it..but no point owning something and not knowing, learning about it. We can't all be born special. Anyhow, this is the 1200 TC section, not the pub...OK, so I am aware of the conditions needed to get a reading as I did read the manual before posting. I know my bike is fine and it gets ridden all year and is not a garage queen that's housed in a heated garage. My search is merely to find out if or at what point the OK Oil should show. oh well,

 

[NZRalphy]

I commute in the countryside..... 4 temperature bars takes approx 8-10km from cold

OK Oil will only show when the bike is stationary + 10sec

 

[fatnfast]

Well. If the temp bars are at 4, and having driven for 15 minutes..one would assume it's at operating temp. Then again. When bike stood for 2 hours, it most certainly was not at op temp but showed okay....so please read op and respond accordingly. Ta

Just stating what's in the manual. You seem to be confused with level and temp?
Folk are just trying to help.

 

[Bendy toy]

The other day I started my bike from cold as normal and pulled away. OMFG it had suddenly developed a horrendous engine knock.

It was now too late to reliably check the oil level (engine has started) and having recently moved house, I could not find the oil funnel but did find the 50ml syringe. After putting 200ml of oil into the engine I brushed against the LHS crash bar to find it was loose. The crank case mounting bolt and spacer had gone and the bar was attached by its little M6 torx screw under the top of the 180 degree bend.

I took off the bar and no more knocking noise. I now need a new bolt and spacer so the crash bar can be put back on.

Oil sensors as MikeyBoy says. Level sensor works as Lawver says. Oil level is nightmare to check reliably so I just make sure there is oil in the glass with the engine cold and the level hasn't changed from last time. Don't overfill as the the engine (just to be on the safe side) because it will simply burn off the excess. They burn oil while running in but once you have the level about "mid glass" it's likely to stay there until the next oil change.

 

[autogs]

wtf are you on about,oil level is a night mare to check?
dont think so

 

[Bendy toy]

It's the most ridiculous procedure. Engine has been started so oil level will appear to be low. So to be correct, stop engine and wait until oil has settled back into the sump. blah blah blah. Then in the dark with pouring rain you have to grovel on the floor to see if there is oil in the sight glass. No car owner would put up with the crap we motorcyclists deal with for basic maintenance checks. (To be fair no car owner would drive in the rain with the windows open, but hey).

What is wrong with a simple dip stick that works on side stand or on main stand? It's what all car engines have and works fine. Hey it could even be totally innovative and have marks for hot engine and cold engine. How's that for an uber complex engineering solution to the most simple of problems. BMW have followed bike fashion and made a simple problem into a messy faff.

 

[Paul Wakefield]

Ummmm - Quick glance down as putting on gloves, can I see oil*? Yes - ride. Repeat as necessary. Darn sight simpler than buggering around with dipsticks. AND they give you a screen check too on these newfangled models.

* Assuming on centrestrand and the bike was properly warm last time it was ridden. If not, use screen check or wait until next time. Unless oil is gushing all over the back wheel, you're not going to suddenly run out.

 

[Bendy toy]

The sightglass is fine assuming centre stand, level ground, adequate light and the bike is clean. Long blade type dipstick needs a rag but so does a sight glass if the bike isn't spotless. Compare doing the oil check on a car and a bike. The car is so much easier - and you have to open the bonnet.

 

[Deleted account 200502001]

Thanks lawvar, mikeyboy for the information. to the other poster intent on being sarcastic, I get it..but no point owning something and not knowing, learning about it. We can't all be born special. ,

I judge people by my very scientific 'Piss Test'...

There are 4 types of expert on this forum..

Type 1 - Extremely knowledgful guys who are happy to share their knowledge and help others. People like mikeyboy fit into this catagory, and there are many others on here.
Type 2 - Extremely knowledgful guys who ridicule anyone that doesn't have their level of knowledge.
Type 3 - Dont know a lot, but are always happy to try and help others if they feel they can.
Type 4 - Know the square root of absolutely fuck all, but in order to appear that they have knowledge, they ridicule others.


The Type 1 and Type 3 guys are legends, and if they were suddenly to catch fire then I would happily empty my bladder all over them to extinguish the flames.
The Type 2 and Type 4 guys are total cnuts. If I walked past their burning bodies I would retain my full bladder of piss, and maybe throw a log on for good measure.
The Type 2 guys are the worst, for they have the ability to help others, but choose not to do so. If I saw a Type 2 on fire, id probably piss on the ground next to them, so they can see what they are missing out on.

So mikeyboy, I have a full bladder of piss especially for you, should you ever need it

 

[AberdeenAngus]

Dip stick on a car wont show anything useful if the engine has been running either, so you're no better off.
You also need adequate light to see it, and if the car is on a slope it will be just as wrong as a sight glass.
You could also use the same rag to clean the glass as you would to clean the dipstick.
The two things do the same job, are subject to the same issues and one is no more difficult than the other.

Just remember to check your oil level in the sight glass before starting the engine.
So long as you don't have a leak, you only need check it once in a while.
As a back up you have an oil pressure warning light.
If there is enough oil to turn out the oil pressure light, then there's enough oil to ride the thing.