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I wouldn't worry about it too much. But if it makes you feel better drain off a bit of oil. Loosen the drain plug till it starts to dribble oil out (don't take the plug out), and let it drain down to the center of the sight glass.
Too high an oil level will cause increased crankcase pressure which results in oil sight glasses blowing out.
I think BMW even issued a bulletin to that effect.
The excess should be removed and the level should be run from mid glass to the bottom.
I've got an '03 1100S and, according the manual, it says to fill to the top of the red line in the sight glass which is about 1/8" away from completely covering the glass. I've run it this way for 40k km (25k miles) in hot weather and cold and all seems well.
Should I be dropping the level?
Signed,
Am I a Know Nothing Beemer Owner?
This oil level thing comes up often. I don't think running at the MIN or MAX level is wrong, it's just not optimal. The middle is just right....
(Oh no, am I accidentally starting another oil thread?)
Has anyone else heard this theory about the RT 'Hiding Oil Really Well' and forwarned about not adding 'too much oil', even though the owners' manual and other service manuals say 'fill to max level'? Jim
The way to check the true oil level:I did the same thing on this gorgeous 57 degree day here on Long Island, sunny skies, organizing the garage kind of day...
Got a '04 R1150RT from a local guy in August.
He told me repeatedly, that the 1150 RT engine 'Hides Oil really well!
Three times, before we signed papers, he repeated to me the above.
So, upon adding my third quart, I realized that the new oil went right up to the top 'max' mark on the sight glass, and then thought... 'Oh sh*t', too much oil'.
I drained the oil down about 3/4 quart through the bottom drain plug, and then
let the glass settle.
I added some oil about 1 cup at a time. Stopped, started the bike up, let it settle, and added only another cup, and visibly saw signs of the oil on the 'minimum' mark of the sight glass, and then, stopped there.
Has anyone else heard this theory about the RT 'Hiding Oil Really Well' and forwarned about not adding 'too much oil', even though the owners' manual and other service manuals say 'fill to max level'?
Oh no... I think I started yet a third thread off of this RT oil question.
Ride Safe!
Jim
The way to check the true oil level:
Engine must be hot, 5 bars showing on the RID, oil cooler hot
Put on side stand and shut off.
Wait 5 minutes (this will allow oil trapped in the oil cooler to drain into the sump)
Put the bike on the center stand.
Read the sight glass.
The oil is "hidden" in the oil cooler, if the thermostat (on top of the engine) feeding the oil cooler input line is not open (at operating temperature) , it will not let the oil drain out of the cooler.
If you look at the oil cooling circuit it makes sense.
I have been checking my oil this way for the last 11 years and get consistent accurate results every time.