Oil level check

Marc771

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Hello from a newbie,
I was lucky to get a F800GS just prior to christmas.
Just need something clarified, I've already done a search on here and I've read through the BMW CD but its not that clear.
What is the correct procedure to check the oil level is it, un screw dip stick wipe it and screw it back in or un screw dip stick wipe it and re insert it letting it rest on the crankcase?
Sorry if this has been covered before.
 
yes it is but I just wanted clarified after hearing conflicting methods.

Thanks anyhow.
 
Fair enough, I have interpreted it as screw it back in and then back out to read it. So, out, wipe, in, out read, in...
 
TheJoker said:
Fair enough, I have interpreted it as screw it back in and then back out to read it. So, out, wipe, in, out read, in...
Click to expand...

Check after riding ie engine hot. I interpreted it the other way, unscrew, wipe, dip (but not screw back in) and read!

Will check manual again later, and confirm about the screwy bit. Its definatly checked with a warm engine though.
 
Jonnie Boy said:
Check after riding ie engine hot. I interpreted it the other way, unscrew, wipe, dip (but not screw back in) and read!

Will check manual again later, and confirm about the screwy bit. Its definatly checked with a warm engine though.
Click to expand...

Wot e sez...

plus if you want to check oil before a ride, with bike on the side-stand, let the engine run, until the cooling fan kicks in, them take the reading.
 
Jonnie Boy said:
Check after riding ie engine hot. I interpreted it the other way, unscrew, wipe, dip (but not screw back in) and read!

Will check manual again later, and confirm about the screwy bit. Its definatly checked with a warm engine though.
Click to expand...

This is how to do it on my Scarver.


:) Liv.
 
Fair enough, it's a while since I have read the manual. I should check the oil so I'll probably also read it again soon.

However, I was thinking that the difference is only the thread depth. If the oil is at the lowest at the plug, you'll need to top up, regardless of whether you've screwed it in or not (assuming one aims for a "a bit over half"?)
 
When you come back from a ride let the engine idle till the fan cuts in, switch off engine and leave for one minute, unscrew dip stick and wipe, rest dip stick on filler hole DO NOT SCREW IN! and check level.
This is the offical version and if your bike has just been serviced some dealers don`t let the engine get hot enough and the level can be too high!!!
had to remove some oil with a syringe before now!
My current dealer Balderstones (now changed dealers!) did the job properly.
I used to own a F800S and it didn`t use a drop in 18,000 miles and my GS hasn`t used a drop in 1,500 miles and counting.
 
Just had a though, obviously this is done with the bike on the centre stand or at least upright!
 
Jonnie Boy said:
Check after riding ie engine hot. I interpreted it the other way, unscrew, wipe, dip (but not screw back in) and read!

Will check manual again later, and confirm about the screwy bit. Its definatly checked with a warm engine though.
Click to expand...

Checked BMW Owners manual this morn.It is just dip and read NO screwy in, and as mentioned, this is all done on centre stand ie bike upright and level, engine at normal operating temperature.

How much oil do they norm get through? topped mine up 0.4ltrs at about 5200mile. Ive had it 3800k shoulda checked the level when I got it :blast but you can always trust a dealer to make sure everythings correct before they hand it over! :augie :D
 
I like to check my oil level daily while touring. Warming the engine up is just so much crap, imagine the annoyance doing that with two bikes on a camp site at 7.30 in the morning.
All the BMWs I have had used difficult and often stupid requirements to check the oil. The f650 single was probably the worst and the R 1150 R oil system was a baffling mystery with the level rising and falling at different times. My Kawasaki Versys was a revelation, hold it level and look at the oil window, hot or cold. 30 seconds to check and usually done every fuel stop although it never used any.
I checked the oil level with the engine cold when the bike was 200 miles old.
Remove the dip stick, wipe it, rest on the filler hole, remove and check. It showed full to the top mark then and has shown the same level after 24000 miles and four services.
 
Has anyone actually checked the level hot then let the bike cool overnight and then rechecked to see how much the level changes?
 
shaunj said:
Has anyone actually checked the level hot then let the bike cool overnight and then rechecked to see how much the level changes?
Click to expand...

Yes and it doesn`t seem much lower, just prefer to do the job properly and as the bike doesn`t seem to use any oil I check it once a week not every day!!
If I had changed the oil I would want to check it hot otherwise you could end up overfilling it, couldn`t you unamed BMW dealer!!
 
I tend to check mine when I have an "OhF uck, I haven't checked my oil in ages...!" moment.

The most I used was during a massive 1500 mile dash, most of which was at European motorway speeds - so 90+ - when the bike had about 7k on the clock. I think it needed about 700cc when I got home, but it's been fine since - then again it hasn;t been so comprehensively thrashed either ...

G
 
Greggers said:
I tend to check mine when I have an "OhF uck, I haven't checked my oil in ages...!" moment.

The most I used was during a massive 1500 mile dash, most of which was at European motorway speeds - so 90+ - when the bike had about 7k on the clock. I think it needed about 700cc when I got home, but it's been fine since - then again it hasn;t been so comprehensively thrashed either ...

G
Click to expand...

Perhaps you could cover this the next time you hold a Maintenance Masterclass!
 
Just checked mine with engine stone cold and bugger all difference than when I checked it hot, so if you check it cold and it`s half way up the dipstick should be OK? just like to check when hot to do the job properly.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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