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4 Litre BMW oil change 2018 RT
- Thread starter EGRAHAM
- Start date
brownie0486
Well-known member
Shouldn't it be at the top of the ring in the sight glass? 4L is 4L, if that's what it calls for, you're fine
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brownie0486
Well-known member
A very knowledgeable bmw mechanic told me the motor will be fine even 1/2 quart low and a little more than called for. 4.2 quarts is 4L and isn't going to harm anything on that motor.
Worrying about nothing. If you add 4L, that's what's in the motor and what's called for.
I get it, but some people do not!
I have a buddy that carries oil. About every other gas stop he checks his oil. If it is down one tick on the dipstick he absolutely has to add oil. I keep telling him that the motorcycle probably wouldn't notice being even more than a quart low, but he still adds oil when it needs a couple drops. His bike probably uses a 1/2 quart in 3,000 miles. He can not believe that I don't carry oil!
I told him his motorcycle needs oil because he checks it so often and he is dragging oil out of the engine and wiping it off on a rag!
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Ha! Thing is, you're probably right !
brownie0486
Well-known member
That's because the owners manual calls for four quarts not four liters which will over fill the oil sump.
I remember when I had an oilhead, if the level was overfilled the extra would be blown off via the air box. Sure that could get a little messy... Doesn't the same happen to a wethead?
I put in 3.5 quarts and then top off to about 3/4 of the sight glass. This usually uses 3.7-3.8 quarts.
I put in 3.5 quarts and then top off to about 3/4 of the sight glass. This usually uses 3.7-3.8 quarts.
lee
Debbie's Servant
The R1200RS and R1250RS owners manual shows 1.1 gallon or 4 liters.
First, the procedure to check oil is to run to temp, put on center stand, and WAITE 5 mins. to read the site glass.
I run mine at 3/4 of the window. I also use the holes behind the site glass for accurate readings, rather then leaving it to me to gauge the oil in the sump. I then look for those holes when checking oil use. I have no oil usage on my 17.5 GS between 6K services.
The only thing over the years I have read is filling it too full can affect shifting? I am not sure to the truth in that as I never fill past the window on the sight glass, and never have. I am not sure if that was said because a too full oil sump could cause whipping of the oil, which is a bad thing for sure. Just do not know if it is fact or not? I would think there are wind-age fins in the pan to prevent foaming?
If you concerned you can loosen the oil filter making a mess, but a bit more controllable then the drain plug IMHO.
Up to you but for peace of mind I would check it according to the procedure and proceed from there. I would also recommend your friend follows the procedure to check oil. Most motors find a level at which they run for oil level and coolant levels. Adding either will just make the motor spit it out until it finds it happy level again. The 5 min wait is a pain, but it is the way the motor is designed.
The new 1300 is gonna be a bit different as the transmission is now below the motor so not sure how that will affect checking oil.
I long for the days of dipsticks on motorcycles.
I run mine at 3/4 of the window. I also use the holes behind the site glass for accurate readings, rather then leaving it to me to gauge the oil in the sump. I then look for those holes when checking oil use. I have no oil usage on my 17.5 GS between 6K services.
The only thing over the years I have read is filling it too full can affect shifting? I am not sure to the truth in that as I never fill past the window on the sight glass, and never have. I am not sure if that was said because a too full oil sump could cause whipping of the oil, which is a bad thing for sure. Just do not know if it is fact or not? I would think there are wind-age fins in the pan to prevent foaming?
If you concerned you can loosen the oil filter making a mess, but a bit more controllable then the drain plug IMHO.
Up to you but for peace of mind I would check it according to the procedure and proceed from there. I would also recommend your friend follows the procedure to check oil. Most motors find a level at which they run for oil level and coolant levels. Adding either will just make the motor spit it out until it finds it happy level again. The 5 min wait is a pain, but it is the way the motor is designed.
The new 1300 is gonna be a bit different as the transmission is now below the motor so not sure how that will affect checking oil.
I long for the days of dipsticks on motorcycles.
brownie0486
Well-known member
I've never seen a German manual for beemers use qts and not liters. 4L is called for in the 4 beemers I've owned [ still two of them in the garage ]
to get used to anything that doesn't have a dip-stick.
stooie
Member
You're right; that's the published procedure. My experience is that the level doesn't change between hot and cold. I check it when it's warm, leave the bike on the centerstand overnight, and find it's at exactly the same level the next morning when it's stone cold. You're experience may vary.
brownie0486
Well-known member
interesting, thanks
Dann
New member
My manual says max oil capacity is 4L (1.1gal)
pglaves
#13338
This would be far from the first time that BMW has mixed up specifications when attempting to convert from metric to US measurements. I recall several such snafus with conversion of Newton Meters to Foot Pounds of torque. And a few with measurements of fork oil from CCs to ounces.
As usual, when it doesn't seem right it probably isn't.
