Oil level in RT

[beemercat]

Hi guys, I'm still a little new to beemers was wondering about something. I just bought a new 12rt, 09 model and just took a trip to wing ding with my goldwing buddies in Tulsa. Put about 2500 miles on it in a week. When I got home just outside of town the indicator on the dash had a symbol that looked like an x but actually four arrows shaped top, bottom, right , and left. I was only about 4 miles from home and didn't have a yellow warning light on the dash either. So after getting home looked at the manual and found out the oil level was low. Is this normal for the boxer engines to do this, loose a little oil, not leaking, but just loosing some?
Thanks
Mike
Oh, another thing, the bike is one fantastic piece of machinery, runs like a scolded dog, if this ever wears out, I'll get another one.

[keith1]

Boxers are famous for burning oil as they break in. You will see that the oil consumption will go down the more miles you put on it. Keep the level in the sight glass to at least the middle or the red line. I have only seen the low oil icon once on my RT in 4 years and cannot even remember what it looks like. To break it in effectively take it to some mountains and hills and run it like a "scolded dog". It is a helluva fine machine. Glad you are enjoying it. :D

[beemercat]

Thanks a bunch, I wasn't sure, as long is nothing is wrong.
Thanks
Mike

[keith1]

FYI. My 04 RT with 2500 miles on it burned at least 1/2 quart between Ft. Worth and Ca. when I brought it home 4 years ago. No worries. Just keep an eye on it.

[05hexhead]

On my '05 I have a very sensitive float. If the oil gets to the middle level on the sight glass I can get a false warning by slowing down to a near stop and doing a fast start. It clears the next time I come to a complete stop.

There were some problems with the earlier R1200RT floats. Something to mention to your dealer if the warnings are coming on to early.

[Gaby]

Do you know what oil is in the engine? BMW specifies not to use synthetic oil during the first 10.000Km in order to allow the engine to better break in.
Of course the viscosity range in combination with the climate the bike is driven in also plays a role.
Gaby

[johnnyray]

I have found with my 08 RT that I tended to burn about half a quart per 1,000 miles over the first 6k, a little less since then. I always check it before I go out on any significant ride (after a short ride to warm the oil up, put it on the center stand and check the lens after 5 minutes), and I keep a small bottle (1/2 quart) in the tank bag on long trips (over 300 miles), just for peace of mind. The reserve came in handy just a couple weeks ago when my buddy's R1200R ran low. Have fun.

[Barry5k]

Just a quick question. I have looked, and can't seem to see the oil level in the sight glass, even with a flashlight. I just had the 12K miles service, so I know I should see something!! Is there a trick to it? Sorry for such a stupid question.

[blongb]

I have the same problem. I assumed the oil was low since I couldn't see a line in the window (using a flashlight), so I added small amounts until I had added over 1/2 quart. Now I'm thinking it may be overfilled.

So my question is the same.........how the heck do I find out where I am on the level. The computer gives me a Oil checkmark when I idle. Wish to heck it had a simple dipstick.

[New2rt]

Have someone lean the bike to the right while you look at the window.

[Atomicman]

Being the owner of a new Rt and my first BMW, I am a bit baffled by you guys having such difficulty seeing the oil in the sight. that seems really odd. :confused:

It is absolutley apparant as can be on my bike. I have about 1300 miles on it and had the 600 mile service done at about 750. (the dealer actually wanted 700-800 miles before they did the 1st service)

Here is a photo I just took. . This is taken complelety cold! Think about how difficult it is to take a photo of it and you can see the oil level clear as bell.

This oil only has 600 miles on it since the oil change! My oil has never been too clear to see!

this is a little less then 1/4 of a quart cold. I will not put oil in at this point. when it is warm it will only be about 1/8 of a qrt. down.

[Keith_H]

Just a quick question. I have looked, and can't seem to see the oil level in the sight glass, even with a flashlight. I just had the 12K miles service, so I know I should see something!! Is there a trick to it? Sorry for such a stupid question.

It can be a bit hard to see, especially if the oil is pretty clean and the bike has sat for a while. Next time, try starting the bike for a few minutes. This stirs up some stuff in the oil and makes it much easier to see in the glass.

[Gaby]

Being the owner of a new Rt and my first BMW, I am a bit baffled by you guys having such difficulty seeing the oil in the sight. that seems really odd. :confused:

It is absolutley apparant as can be on my bike. I have about 1300 miles on it and had the 600 mile service done at about 750. (the dealer actually wanted 700-800 miles before they did the 1st service)

Here is a photo I just took. . This is taken complelety cold! Think about how difficult it is to take a photo of it and you can see the oil level clear as bell.

This oil only has 600 miles on it since the oil change! My oil has never been too clear to see!

this is a little less then 1/4 of a quart cold. I will not put oil in at this point. when it is warm it will only be about 1/8 of a qrt. down.

When the oil level is above the glass, you don't see anything. Therefore, as advised by New2rt, if the bike is tipped over to the right side, the oil level may come in sight.
Since these bikes burn some oil, I suppose dealers may fill them a bit too high, if it's really only a bit this won't hurt.
Gaby

[Atomicman]

When the oil level is above the glass, you don't see anything. Therefore, as advised by New2rt, if the bike is tipped over to the right side, the oil level may come in sight.
Since these bikes burn some oil, I suppose dealers may fill them a bit too high, if it's really only a bit this won't hurt.
Gaby

You see the oil even if it is full. the oil is never "Clear" .

If you can't tell that it is full, maybe the question is, can you to read street signs and road hazards while riding a motorcycle? :rolleyes:

Don't mean to sound harsh, but wow, come on! :wtf:

[Gaby]

It must be me, the only comfort being I am not the only one. I certainly hope you will never make the mistake to interpret the level glass as being full while it is empty.
Gaby

[Atomicman]

It must be me, the only comfort being I am not the only one. I certainly hope you will never make the mistake to interpret the level glass as being full while it is empty.
Gaby

I have lousy eyesight and I have absolutely no problem telling where the oil level is!

[blongb]

On mine, it looks like the sightglass is cloudy on the inside. I've cleaned the outside and I still can't make out whether there is oil in the window or just air. It just looks 100% grey.

The photo one of you posted shows a nice clear glass which would be no problem to make out oil or no.

I will try to find someone I trust to help me by tilting the bike one way then the other to see if I can find an oil/air line. That is easier said than done around where I live.

I have no problem seeing traffic, etc., thank you very much.... :mad:

[BrianV]

BMW oil is kinda pinky-brown (no poltical references here). If you see a solid sight glass of some similar color, it's likely full - or overfull. If it's down, you will be able to see the silver looking metal behind the glass. If it's partway down, the line is very visible.

-Brian

[Barry5k]

You see the oil even if it is full. the oil is never "Clear" .

If you can't tell that it is full, maybe the question is, can you to read street signs and road hazards while riding a motorcycle? :rolleyes:

Don't mean to sound harsh, but wow, come on! :wtf:

Did you ever think that the site glass may get fogged up or discolored after awhile. By the way, I can read thank you. Your sorry comments are inappropriate and are best left at home!

[05hexhead]

Barry,

I would say that your oil is above the glass site. If it was below the site glass the oil warning check mark would be coming on for you to check your oil.

You could have someone start your bike for you while it is on the center stand. You should observe the glass as it is being started, the oil should be seen as it drops with the engine running.

[Andrewsi]

The sight "glass" is actually plastic on these bikes, I think. Mine's practically brand new and it's definitely a little "foggy." Easiest way for me to see what's going on is to shine a small flashlight at it slightly obliquely and really get down so my eyes are near its level. As long as the level is somewhere inside the window, though, the line's pretty easy to see, as is the metal at the back. If you can see neither, my money'd be on it being slightly overfilled.

I'm at about 5500 miles now on my '09 and I find I'm burning about half-a-sight-glass' worth of BMW 10W-40 every 1000 miles or so. Hopefully the amount will decrease as the break-in continues. Reminds me of my old Cherokee 180 which went through a full quart about every 10 hours of flight time.

[Keith_H]

For those concerned the oil may be above the site glass, just center stand the bike and start it up. The level in the site will drop down as oil is pumped through the motor. My site glass is cloudy and a bit yellowed so it can be hard to see sometimes.

[Atomicman]

Did you ever think that the site glass may get fogged up or discolored after awhile. By the way, I can read thank you. Your sorry comments are inappropriate and are best left at home!

Yeah, after awhile, but the OP's bile is brand new (why would it be foggy, yours only has 12k. miles.

Plus I was nice enough to take time to show you a photograph. (Don't i get a little neighborly vredit for that?)

A little sensitive are we??

Have long have you woned the bike?

[Gaby]

To me, seeing the line in the glass is simply a double check, if I don't see it, I think I know if it is either full or empty, but that's not enough, I want to be 100% certain.
There is, as advised by eg. New2rt and Keith_H, more than one method to obtain that certainty.
Gaby

[blongb]

For those concerned the oil may be above the site glass, just center stand the bike and start it up. The level in the site will drop down as oil is pumped through the motor. My site glass is cloudy and a bit yellowed so it can be hard to see sometimes.

Thanks, Keith, this the good suggestion I was looking for.
Regards,
Bill

[der_Wanderer]

It must be me, the only comfort being I am not the only one. I certainly hope you will never make the mistake to interpret the level glass as being full while it is empty.
Gaby

You are not the only one. I too wonder if I see my glass of oil half full or half empty... :)

[der_Wanderer]

A little sensitive are we??


I too felt your tone was uncalled for.

[Gaby]

You are not the only one. I too wonder if I see my glass of oil half full or half empty... :)
Strange perhaps, but in my case, the problem only arises in case of oil.
If its beer, I make sure there is no doubt that the glass is empty, my eyesight is excellent in such conditions, at least at first :D
Gaby

[der_Wanderer]

I have the same problem, especially with Belgian Beer, Gaby!

[deanwoolsey]

If you suspect it is slightly-over filled, put it on the center stand and look at the window with the engine running. If you still can't see it try the same thing with her on the side stand. I can tell you that new Castrol oil is very hard to see when it is over-filled.

[Gaby]

I have the same problem, especially with Belgian Beer, Gaby!
Yes, Belgian Beer is very taxing for eyesight :D
Gaby

[Zardoz]

I agree about running it on the center stand to see if the oil is running past the sight glass. When you turn it off you should see the glass filling up until its covered.
BTW, the manual states that you should only check the oil level after the engine has been run warm, i.e. after a drive. Idling in the garage does not give the same effect.

I have the opposite problem. I have an oil level sensor and it keeps showing me a check sign! The manual says that means "Oil level OK" but I keep interpreting it as "Check oil level!" Anybody else have this sensor? Should it kick in very often? Sometimes I think its overactive....

[twilson]

Mine does the same thing, usually when I come to a stop and put it in neutral.

[toadmanor]

No making fun of me but. I finally found the oil sight glass.

And guess what? It looks like it is filled with coffee with cream. After only 200 miles?

[Keith_H]

Mine does the same thing, usually when I come to a stop and put it in neutral.

If you usually monitor the outside temp with the computer, anytime you come to a stop for a bit, the display will switch to OIL. A check mark is fine. If you're low on oil, it will give you and ! mark instead. Once you take off, the display will go back to reading temp.

[BrianV]

No making fun of me but. I finally found the oil sight glass.

And guess what? It looks like it is filled with coffee with cream. After only 200 miles?


Sounds like you have water in your crankcase :( . Is the bike new, or "new to you"?

If new - I'd take it back to the dealer pretty quick - maybe even on a trailer. Let us know how it works out.

-Brian

[toadmanor]

Sounds like you have water in your crankcase :( . Is the bike new, or "new to you"?

If new - I'd take it back to the dealer pretty quick - maybe even on a trailer. Let us know how it works out.

-Brian

it is brand new

[Tracus]

I've had similar issues with the oil sensor. Riding through Utah last year, I got the yellow triangle and the oil icon (4 odd shaped diamonds). I stopped and checked the sight glass and it was half full. Just for funs and giggles I called my mechanic back home in PA and his response was that the sensor may sometimes suffer a case of cerebral flatulence and register a warning. Bottom line - if you can see oil in the glass - run it.

[BrianV]

it is brand new

Sounds like a trip to the dealer :o - good luck.

[blongb]

Sounds like you have water in your crankcase :( .

Quick question. Where would the water have come from?

Bill

[iambob]

Quick question. Where would the water have come from?

Bill
Built up condensation from the Air Conditioner??


Oh wait, he's on an RT not an LT..

Dunno :histerica


But, coffee with cream sounds like a VERY good description of contaminated oil.. How it got contaminated?? Who knows.. thinking not a blown headgasket, and not contaminated with antifeeze..

[pushin9s]

Remember his oil is new. It could be that it is just changing it's color and starting to pick up carbon and other contaminants that eventually turn it brown and then black. I wouldn't worry too much about having "stuff" in the oil right now. It's an air/oil cooled engine and there is no way to get water in the oil unless he's washing it with the oil filler cap off. If it's a head gasket allowing air to get into the oil galleys, surely he would see and/or hear the compression leak while the engine's running. (And I know, stop calling you Shirley!)

As for some not being able to see their oil? I have a good friend with an 04 RT with only 12K on the clock. I helped him change the oil a couple of months ago and a week after, (he'd only ridden a couple of hundred miles) he called me in a panic saying he couldn't see the oil level at all. He had added a little more even though I had meticulously added the requisite 3.8 quarts of BMW dino oil. I eventually checked it for him and sure enough, the oil sight glass was completely full and he couldn't see the level in it. Even with an 04, his sight glass is clear, not cloudy.

I know for a fact that he CAN see, and see very well. He doesn't have ANY trouble with road signs, or firing range targets for that matter. He can group a 9mm Glock better than any cop I've ever seen. It's just when you're new to the BMWs and some of their quirks, things can seem a bit daunting. I'm sorry to see anyone get flamed for asking a reasonable question and expecting a civil, reasonable answer.

BTW, putting it on the center stand and starting it is a great way to watch and see if the oil level goes down. It's really nice if you can have someone else hit the starter button for you so you can be in position and watch as soon as the starter engages.

[toadmanor]

I never did buy the water in the oil thing. Remember that oil and water don't mix. One will not discolor the other. The bike has been running great with just over 600 miles with no problems. Bringing it in for the 600 mile service Thursday this week.

[New2rt]

I agree there should not be water in the oil on this engine unless someone put it there but they will mix and when they do it does look like coffee with cream or chocolate milk, it's thick and very obvious. Mix water with hydraulic oil and it looks like milk (without the chocolate)

[Keith_H]

Water will condense naturally in a bike, especially in more humid areas. This condensation can sometimes be a problem if you don't ride the bike long enough to evaporate the water back out. It's really not a dealer issue IMO. (ride more, worry less)