Urgent Advice please

[Beast]

Sorry I’m no mechanic don't know one end of a spanner from the other end.
I have a 2011 R1200GS, Just finished giving it a good clean, thought i would have a look in the oil level window, to my horror it looks completely empty although the computer has not said that there is a problem, and i have not noticed any oil leaks. its done about 2000miles since last service and i have only had the bike about 6 weeks bought from a approved BMW dealer.

The only oil i have in the garage is what i used for my Yamaha FJR unfortunately it does not match the decryption in the BMW hand book. The oil i have
Petronas Syntium moto 4sx Synthetic blend 10W-40.API SL. JASO MA
Will this oil be OK, or will it cause problems to the bike.

Phil

 

[adventuredon]

hold on before you pour...someone will be along to advise you on the infamous oil disappearing..

 

[JJH]

If it was me I'd use it. Oil has been done on here many many times. Everybody has an opinion all different. As I said just top up and forget about it. The proper way to check it is with engine at operating temperature switch off. Bike on centre stand. Wait 5 minutes or so. Now check window. Add oil if necessary. Hope this helps. I've had many of these bikes. Last rt1200 had 60000 miles on it with no oil problems. Jjh

 

[Bendy toy]

The oil you have in the garage will be fine but you need to follow the BMW instructions for checking the oil level.

 

[bisbee]

hold on before you pour...someone will be along to advise you on the infamous oil disappearing..

Leave it on centre stand overnight and check it in the morning

 

[Pukmeister]

Leave it on centre stand overnight and check it in the morning

If it is still below the sightglass in the morning, first add just enough oil to get the level in the bottom of the red circle. (The oil you have is fine for a GS engine.)

Run the engine until warmed up by taking a short ride. Don't leave it idling without airflow across the engine. Stop engine with bike on the centre stand for five minutes then re-check. My bet is that the excess oil is still in the beak-mounted oil cooler, once hot the oil thermostat opens and the oil returns to the sump causing the level to rise.

 

[stever1]

Beast DO NOT fill it yet. Run engine until hot IE normal running temp. Stop engine and leave the bike on the side stand for about 5 minutes to allow the oil to drain from the oil cooler. Then put it on the main stand and leave for a further 5 minutes.
Then, whilst wearing only a pink tutu and clogs check the level.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Put a gallon in, job'll be a good'un

 

[Beast]

I think i might have jumped the gun, I have only just seen the last 4 post and now a little concerned with what i have done. I followed the information in the owners manual, ran the engine for 20mins on the centre stand in the drive, left it for 5 mins and checked, still no oil showing in the display glass so filled it up to the top glass.
Then i saw the last 4 post and now concerned i have over filled with oil

 

[Pukmeister]

Never leave your air cooled bike running on the centre stand, the headers glow cherry red and the oil heats up very quickly without airflow. The sump sightglass is made of plastic and can melt and fall out. A recipe for self-destruction.

Do a search for melted sightglass and see what comes up.

 

[(RIP) Johno23]

Beast DO NOT fill it yet. Run engine until hot IE normal running temp. Stop engine and leave the bike on the side stand for about 5 minutes to allow the oil to drain from the oil cooler. Then put it on the main stand and leave for a further 5 minutes.
Then, whilst wearing only a pink tutu and clogs check the level.

Apart from the pink tutu this was good advice............. I never liked pink

The levels are often all over the place. It's very unlikely you have used all that oil in 2000 miles.

 

[JJH]

I think i might have jumped the gun, I have only just seen the last 4 post and now a little concerned with what i have done. I followed the information in the owners manual, ran the engine for 20mins on the centre stand in the drive, left it for 5 mins and checked, still no oil showing in the display glass so filled it up to the top glass.
Then i saw the last 4 post and now concerned i have over filled with oil

I have 1 piece of advice for you. Ride the bike as normal and check level in 1 months time. Jjh

 

[MattW]

The oil cooler holds oil if parked on the centre stand.

Go for a ride, park it on its side stand for half an hour, put it on the centre stand, check the oil.

If you don't side stand it before checking, you can suddenly 'lose' almost the whole contents of the sight glass.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I think i might have jumped the gun, I have only just seen the last 4 post and now a little concerned with what i have done. I followed the information in the owners manual, ran the engine for 20mins on the centre stand in the drive, left it for 5 mins and checked, still no oil showing in the display glass so filled it up to the top glass.
Then i saw the last 4 post and now concerned i have over filled with oil

That's knackered it, never run it stationary for 20 mins - bad move

 

[Beast]

I’m absolutely clueless with anything mechanical, what will happen if i have over filled the oil, is it safe to use or will it cause damage to the oil cooler. is it worth getting some one to drain the oil out before use. Did not realise that you could cause damage by running the bike stationary.

 

[Dahoum]

Did you get an owners manual with the bike?

 

[flatdog]

as has been said, don't run these bikes stationary. Ever.
If the sight glass is still clear - not opaque or leaking oil then you may have got away with it this time.

How much oil was put in to top it up? or how far up the sight glass did you fill it to.

If you cant see the oil level now because it's too full, then you must drain the excess out. Not too horrendous a job just a bit messy.

Just undo the drain plug and hold the plug in place with your finger then when it's free gently lower it on one side and let similar amount of oil drain out that you put in - roughly.
Yes it will gush out and make a mess but you know this so will have a large surface area container and rags handy, and without panicking start screwing the plug back in and that should help keep your seals from popping or other bad stuff happening.
Don't do it hot otherwise you'll get burnt.
Another way is laying the bike over and doing it that way. But I find it better doing as I've described above.

 

[Fanum]

Turn it upside down overnight.......That'll cure it

 

[Beast]

Did you get an owners manual with the bike?

Yes i did get owners manual with the bike, not read it page for page but have treated the bike exactly the same way has all my other bikes.

 

[Beast]

as has been said, don't run these bikes stationary. Ever.
If the sight glass is still clear - not opaque or leaking oil then you may have got away with it this time.

How much oil was put in to top it up? or how far up the sight glass did you fill it to.

If you cant see the oil level now because it's too full, then you must drain the excess out. Not too horrendous a job just a bit messy.

Just undo the drain plug and hold the plug in place with your finger then when it's free gently lower it on one side and let similar amount of oil drain out that you put in - roughly.
Yes it will gush out and make a mess but you know this so will have a large surface area container and rags handy, and without panicking start screwing the plug back in and that should help keep your seals from popping or other bad stuff happening.
Don't do it hot otherwise you'll get burnt.
Another way is laying the bike over and doing it that way. But I find it better doing as I've described above.

Site glass still clear, not sure how much oil went in, filled it up 3/4 way on the sight glass.
Unfortunately not skills or know how to drain the oil, purposely not got any tools so that stops me from f*cking maintenance jobs up. I will call the dealer in the morning to see if they can collect the bike and sort it out for me.