What To Believe - Need Advice

[avonfloater]

I just dropped my engine oil and pulled and replaced the filter. The shirt-pocket owners book says refill with 3.7 US quarts while the official BMW shop manual says 3.8 US quarts. 3 Quarts just about fills the site glass, even after a test ride. Whcih one to believe? I guess I'm inclined to go with the site glass. What do you'all think?

Denny
Avonfloater

[sparky_k1200lt]

How about 3.7, check sight glass, and add the remaining .1 quart (3.2 ounces) if needed.

I know I can't tell the difference between 3.7 and 3.8 when pouring it in. I let the sight glass tell me if I should add a little more or not.

[PMitchell]

Run the engine for a few minutes on the centerstand to make sure it circulates. Then allow a few minutes after shutting her down and then read the glass again. With three quarts it may be just past the center mark.

[bmwusmc]

Denny, I have used only 3 quarts using the method you describe and the sight glass always comes up about halfway. Have riden like this for 2 oil changes with no problems..
I tend to go with the sight glass method to avoid overfilling.. HTH..

[Big_E]

I always dump in 4 quarts & don't look at the glass.

[Florian]

I always dump in 4 quarts & don't look at the glass.


+1 never had an issue.


F

[mtrevelino]

I always put in 3.5 quarts. This way you only need 3 additional quarts for another oil change.

[rattler50]

Just fill it up to the full mark......... :histerica

[katnapinn]

I always put in 3.5 quarts. This way you only need 3 additional quarts for another oil change.
+1 on 3.5 qts

[avonfloater]

I guess I wasn't clear enough - I drained the oil, pulled and replaced the filter and refilled with just at 3 guarts US. The oil level was just under the top of the site glass - could barely see the oil line at the top. I test rode the bike for 30 miles, put it back up on the center stand and checked again in about half-an-hour to find the oil level at the same place. My question - is there enough oil at 3.0 quarts to support the engine's needs - pan pool, cooling, etc.? Tks for the feedback.

Denny

[zippy_gg]

That is very strange. You should be using closer to 4 quarts than 3 quarts.

I would be concerned with just 3 quarts... Did you fill the filter before installing?Something is not right here.

I guess I wasn't clear enough - I drained the oil, pulled and replaced the filter and refilled with just at 3 guarts US. The oil level was just under the top of the site glass - could barely see the oil line at the top. I test rode the bike for 30 miles, put it back up on the center stand and checked again in about half-an-hour to find the oil level at the same place. My question - is there enough oil at 3.0 quarts to support the engine's needs - pan pool, cooling, etc.? Tks for the feedback.

Denny

[Lee510]

My double naughts owner's manual says to always check the oil with the bike on the sidestand. The level should be halfway up the sight glass. 4 quarts put the level near the top of the glass. I'm thinking of stopping with 3.5 - 3.75 quarts next time.

[dshealey]

My double naughts owner's manual says to always check the oil with the bike on the sidestand. The level should be halfway up the sight glass. 4 quarts put the level near the top of the glass. I'm thinking of stopping with 3.5 - 3.75 quarts next time.

It is MUCH better to check the oil on the centerstand, where it should be near the top of the sight glass.

The problem with using the sidestand is that the level in the sight glass will vary depending on tire wear and shock sag, or adjustment of the shock pre-load. Any of these will affect the angle the bike is sitting at, where on the centerstand it will always be the same, assuming you always check it in the same parking spot, preferably a garage floor which is pretty flat.

[mabden]

FWIW:

On my 2000, the oil level is checked with the bike on the side-stand. From the center-stand to the side-stand makes about 1/2 "window" difference.
Mark

[Lee510]

Thanks, Dave. I didn't know what would be an appropriate level when on the centerstand.

[jackd]

I started out changing oil and then adding the 3.7 quarts called by the capacities sheet. On my LT the oil disappears above the inspection glass. I now add only 3.0 quarts after I fill the filter at oil each change. It comes up to about the half mark..

After I'm sure I know I haven't miscounted or made another error.. I start the engine and I let it run a while, shut it down. Then I put it on side stand and add another almost 1/2 quart or but not more. That way I can always see an oil line on the center stand.

That way I know what the level is. Putting the 3.7 or 4.0 quarts puts mine above the glass. I fell uncomfortable not seeing the line. I don't like to overfill.

[cccpastorjack]

Check the oil on the center stand, on level ground. This method removes many of the variables encountered if using the side stand. I would ALWAYS check it with this method.

3.7 or 3.8 is not the important thing...what if you happened to leave .1 or .3 qt. in the engine if not drained properly??? If you just add 3.7 or 4 quarts every time, you can overfill the engine.

Always fill it just below the very top of the site glass when on the center stand on level ground. Run it for a few minutes and check it again. :D

[grifscoots]

My double naughts owner's manual says to always check the oil with the bike on the sidestand. The level should be halfway up the sight glass. 4 quarts put the level near the top of the glass. I'm thinking of stopping with 3.5 - 3.75 quarts next time.That was changed in later year manuals to the center stand.

[sanjaun2]

I know, I know!!!! You put in 3 liters didn't you? Which would put you almost to the full mark. We could always discuss it over a RTE and a cold micro... Anyway you look at it, If the sight glass reads full on the center stand on level ground you have more than 3 quarts in there and your fine. Ride on.

[AlaskaFish]

What Brian said Denny! As long as you are checking it on the center stand, and it is on a level surface, believe the sight glass! Somewhere between the center and the top of the sight glass is fine. preferably nearer to the top, but make sure you leave enough of a gap so you can still see the oil level.

Have a great ride down to Quincy for us will ya?

John

[K1200LTryder]

I think the correct way to check the oil level is with the bike on the sidestand, at least that what my owners manual tells me.

I dump in 3 quarts, but I also prime the oil filter before installing, and that takes about 1/2 a quart.

[UncleRock]

Check the oil on your sidestand, if you are low turn your shock damper all the way down, that will bring the level up.
Or you could put more oil in.
Rock

[Dangerous2]

The recommendation from my BMW mechanic after questioning him about “why is my engine still burning oil at 20000 miles”, was to not fill above the centre mark as this may be forcing more oil up the bores than necessary and therefore cause the excessive oil consumption. He added also that the check contrary to the manual should be done when cold.