2011 R1200RT oil <!> indicator

[k9gromit]

Put 7500 miles on my RT since picking her up in January and am loving every minute. Only issue is my <!> indicator of "oil" comes on when I idle for a minute at a stoplight. Oil level is correct, I keep it 1/2 to 3/4 of the way up the sight glass (checked on the centerstand warmed up). It's been doing it since new and I did my own 6K service, cleared the next service code via a friends GS-911 but did not think to see if there was a related code. Local dealership is down a tech (long service wait) and apparently not too fond of those of us who buy our bikes out of town, even if the out of town dealer has exactly what you want at a great price.

Anyone else with the problem/cure?

 

[David13]

I usually fill the oil to the recommended amount. Rather than going by the glass.
That usually means it is at the top, or over the top.
Then the oil light never comes on.
Except at rare times after a long trek on the freeway, when it's hot, and I have pulled off and stopped at a light.
But it soon goes off.
dc

 

[jay1622]

This was just discussed in a different thread earlier today. Some believe it's based on oil quantity and some believe it's based on oil pressure. Regardless, it means your oil is not at an "optimum" operating tolerance.

Your quick fix is to add a little oil. Your proper fix is to check your oil exactly as required by your manual; it makes a huge difference. Then, based on where your oil level is, add the amount of oil indicated by your findings. Your's is a new bike man, give it some respect.

Either way, you're adding oil my friend.

Respectfully, don't just wing-it the way some people do. The last thing you want to do is add too much and have to replace your clutch because it seeped past your main seal. It's a stretch, but completly possible.

Here's the thread from earlier...
http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?t=60657

 

[k9gromit]

Your quick fix is to add a little oil. Your proper fix is to check your oil exactly as required by your manual; it makes a huge difference. Then, based on where your oil level is, add the amount of oil indicated by your findings. Your's is a new bike man, give it some respect.

My owner's manual (if I read it correctly) says that anywhere in the sight glass, after warming the motor, shutting it down and placing it on the centerstand for 5 minutes is good. Exactly the way I have been measuring it. I figured keeping it at 1/2 to 3/4 up the glass would be "optimum" and not cause a warning. If I'm doing the oil level check wrong, somebody please let me know!

The thing about the warning that makes me think it is wonky is that it only comes on when I idle the bike at a stop. Then it does not shut off until I shut off the bike. I don't get the yellow (or red) warning light above, just the <!>.

 

[marchyman]

This was just discussed in a different thread earlier today. Some believe it's based on oil quantity and some believe it's based on oil pressure.

Some believe incorrectly.

Look up these part numbers:

12 61 7 686 501 Oil Pressure Switch
13 62 7 673 502 Oil Levelling Switch

There are two different switches/sensors for two different purposes. One is on the left side of the bike. The other is optional and is on the right side of the bike. If you don't have the "On-Board Computer" option you don't have the Oil Levelling Switch.

I don't know why BMW spells it LEVELLING, not LEVELING.

The Oil Level indicator is reported to be overly sensitive by some. I don't have one on my bike so can't comment.

 

[spx]

My owner's manual (if I read it correctly) says that anywhere in the sight glass, after warming the motor, shutting it down and placing it on the centerstand for 5 minutes is good. Exactly the way I have been measuring it. I figured keeping it at 1/2 to 3/4 up the glass would be "optimum" and not cause a warning. If I'm doing the oil level check wrong, somebody please let me know!

You're checking the oil fine.

The thing about the warning that makes me think it is wonky is that it only comes on when I idle the bike at a stop. Then it does not shut off until I shut off the bike. I don't get the yellow (or red) warning light above, just the <!>.

Remember, the low oil quantity warning will only appear when the bike is stopped, so that part sounds fine. As for it not extinguishing once it appears, it too will only go away when the bike is stopped for ten seconds (?) with the oil quantity OK. It may well be that the part that checks oil quantity on your bike is defective. One thing that you can try (at a stop), move your bike a bit over center to the right for a few seconds. That may (or may not) extinguish your oil warning.

 

[greenwald]

Put 7500 miles on my RT since picking her up in January and am loving every minute. Only issue is my <!> indicator of "oil" comes on when I idle for a minute at a stoplight. Oil level is correct, I keep it 1/2 to 3/4 of the way up the sight glass (checked on the centerstand warmed up). It's been doing it since new and I did my own 6K service, cleared the next service code via a friends GS-911 but did not think to see if there was a related code. Local dealership is down a tech (long service wait) and apparently not too fond of those of us who buy our bikes out of town, even if the out of town dealer has exactly what you want at a great price.

Anyone else with the problem/cure?

Couple of comments and a little suggested tweaking - you're almost there.

I grabbed my Owner's Manual too and, quote: "Check that the engine is at operating temperature, make sure the ground is level and firm and place the motorcycle on its center stand. Wait 5 minutes after switching off the engine. The oil level must be visible in the sight glass."

The manual then gives a clear illustration of the sight glass, with the "MIN" level at the bottom of the window and the "MAX" no higher than the top - not over the top, as then you have no idea how much oil you're running with, and too much oil = too much pressure, and that is asking for trouble.

A common 'trigger' for that pesky (!) is the lack of level ground when the sensor is 'doing its thing.' I've gotten erroneous readings at stop lights due to slightly negative or positive degrees of elevation with the road surface. Wish it were not so sensitive, but it is what it is.

Now, since some oil can be stored in the oil cooler and lines, suggest you side stand your bike on a known level area of your property (I actually verified with my 4' level that portion of the driveway that I intended to use for checking oil level) for several minutes before center-standing it for several more. Then read the sight glass and fill conservatively (couple of ounces at a time - then wait 2 minutes to notice changes in the sight glass) until 3/4 of sight glass is oil. No more - once you get too close to the top, you could easily excede it, and then what do you really have?!

Heck - if not knowing just how much oil is onboard is of no concern to you, either dump in 1 qt. or 6 qts. and just go. Not sure how far you will go, but go.

So - you're just about where you need to be in terms of oil level management. With consistency in this procedure, you will eventually ban that '(!) demon' and always be operating your machine with optimum lubrication.

Good Luck(!)

 

[David13]

Overly sensitive is what it is. You have sufficient oil in there.
I like to keep mine a little higher, but I still get that light sometimes. And the check or 'ok' symbol.
dc

 

[wkottd]

I had the same issue with my 09ÔÇÖ RT. The problem was a chip of some kind stuck in the sensor causing it to stick. The dealer cleaned the sensor, and IÔÇÖve not had the problem since.

Bill

 

[patiodadio]

My owner's manual (if I read it correctly) says that anywhere in the sight glass, after warming the motor, shutting it down and placing it on the centerstand for 5 minutes is good. Exactly the way I have been measuring it. I figured keeping it at 1/2 to 3/4 up the glass would be "optimum" and not cause a warning. If I'm doing the oil level check wrong, somebody please let me know!

The thing about the warning that makes me think it is wonky is that it only comes on when I idle the bike at a stop. Then it does not shut off until I shut off the bike. I don't get the yellow (or red) warning light above, just the <!>.

I have the exact same thing on my 05 RT. So glad its not just my bike that does that



.

 

[Motorwerk]

The thing about the warning that makes me think it is wonky is that it only comes on when I idle the bike at a stop. Then it does not shut off until I shut off the bike. I don't get the yellow (or red) warning light above, just the <!>.

If the display does not change when you start moving there is definitely something wrong.

The '05's needed a float replacement and a software update to change this behavior as it would give false readings while on the move.

 

[spx]

If the display does not change when you start moving there is definitely something wrong.

No. The oil level warning (on or off) stays "latched" in its last position until the next stop when it's re-evaluated. In other words, if it comes on when you stop at a traffic light and stays on while you are stopped, it will stay on until your next stop, when it is re-evaluated 10 seconds after you've been stopped as to whether it should be displayed or not.

 

[lkraus]

I get the <!> at random times, so random that I've just learned to ignore it. It has come on when stopping at lights, in stop and go traffic, cruising at a steady 65 mph, blitzing through some twisties, in rain, in cold, in heat. And then it will go out in a minute or so. It may be useful as it reminds me to check that stupidly hidden sight glass, but it will not save me in the event of a sudden catastrophic oil loss - it has cried "wolf" way too often.

 

[BMW Triumphant]

OP: you may find this of some use

http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?t=59964

Adding some oil was successful in getting the oil warning to go out for almost 1000 km. it's just come back, to be expected. Oil change next Tuesday.

 

[Atomicman52]

On my '09, my Oil Level warning light has never come on.

Keep in mind that from the bottom to the top of the Glass is only .5 (1/2) Qt.

 

[Motorwerk]

No. The oil level warning (on or off) stays "latched" in its last position until the next stop when it's re-evaluated. In other words, if it comes on when you stop at a traffic light and stays on while you are stopped, it will stay on until your next stop, when it is re-evaluated 10 seconds after you've been stopped as to whether it should be displayed or not.

Understood. It sounds like from the OP's description that the level from reading it through the sight-glass is correct but continues to display a warning. Best he can do is add more oil and see if it responds to the change.

 

[k9gromit]

Understood. It sounds like from the OP's description that the level from reading it through the sight-glass is correct but continues to display a warning. Best he can do is add more oil and see if it responds to the change.

Bingo. A possible contributing factor is that I'm short. 28" inseam short.

Here's what I think is happening: When I stop, I put my left foot down, right foot stays on peg/brake. Bike leans left. Sensor (right side of motor?) after a period of time says: "Hey, this looks low, take a look and I'm not letting that <!> turn off till you do." I bring it home and set it on centerstand on a level driveway. Wait 5 minutes. Look in sight glass. Looks good. Post to internet.

I'm going to increase my oil right to the top of the sight glass WITHOUT going over. Manual says that's OK and I'm thinking, along with being mindful to hold the bike a little more vertical at the stops, that MAY solve this. I'll post back after some experimentation.

Thanks to all for the input!

 

[sloride]

On my '09, my Oil Level warning light has never come on.

Keep in mind that from the bottom to the top of the Glass is only .5 (1/2) Qt.

The oil level light is called up with the on-board computer

The oil pressure warning comes up automatically when there's a problem



'08 RT owners manual below

The readings mean:
(check mark) Oil level is correct

<!> Check the oil level with the
dipstick (dipstick is an obvious misprint)the next time you
stop for fuel. If you call up another
reading on the on-board computer,
this symbol remains visible
until the sensor again registers a
correct oil level.

--- Oil level cannot be measured
(conditions as stated
above not satisfied).
The most recently measured
level is displayed for 5 seconds
when you next switch on the ignition.
The oil-level sensor might
be defective if the "Check
oil level" message appears even
though the oil level in the oil
sight glass is correct. In this
case, consult your authorised
BMW Motorrad dealer.

 

[k9gromit]

The oil level light is called up with the on-board computer

The oil pressure warning comes up automatically when there's a problem


'08 RT owners manual below

The readings mean:
(check mark) Oil level is correct
<Snip for space considerations>
.

I've never seen a check mark, ever. Mine's a 2011 with the computer FWIW...

 

[Atomicman52]

I've never seen a check mark, ever. Mine's a 2011 with the computer FWIW...[/QUOTE

You only see the check mark, once engine is up to operating temperature and you scroll through BC to OIL while stopped.