[deputy5211]

There are plenty of threads on fogged radio displays, but did not find a reference to a fogged oil sight glass, which is what I have.

When I put the old gal back together after replacing the clutch, I cleaned it with some Castrol degreaser and clear water.

Since then, I am unable to see through the oil sight glass. Tried cleaning, smearing a little oil on it, denatured alcohol, and such, but still cannot see through it.

Any clues?

 

[johnbaker15]

Tony,

The are a couple ideas in this post here

 

[deputy5211]

Thank you, John.

Would never have guessed it was that easy. Now I just have to find one...

 

[David13]

You will find it at the dealer. And cheap too. Well, by BMW standards.
Or internet order, MaxBMW, etc.
Now. Am I wrong, or was the original in many cases plastic, whereas the new one is glass?
I would like to replace mine with a glass window. I think that might stay less cloudy.
dc

 

[Foiler]

very easy to replace. pop the old one out with a screwdriver then use it or a socketto tap in the new one.

 

[jzeiler]

Make sure it is not just full of oil. Next time you end a ride put it on the center stand before you shut her down and look at the glass. It should be empty. Then turn off the key and see if you can see the oil rising back up. She just may be above the glass when you are checking her.

 

[deputy5211]

Ordinarily I would suspect the same, but when I refilled the fluids after the clutch swap, I watched the glass as I filled, hoping despite the fogginess that I would be able to see the oil level.

 

[deputy5211]

Picked up two at the dealer today. With tax about $53 each. Seems to still be plastic, not glass.

BMW p/n is 11-11-8-523-906, and they call it a Olstandsanzeige entkoppelt.

I bought two to have a spare in case anyone else runs into this problem and cannot find one locally or does not have a local dealer.

 

[tvguy]

$53 each... Holy Crap... I had the dealer put in a new one a few years ago and I think it was $25 for the sight glass. Plus labor of course...

 

[deputy5211]

Just looked at invoice, I was off by just a little.

$102.56 for two is 51.28 per each ($47.37 plus $3.91 tax). Still, holy crap!

 

[dshealey]

Picked up two at the dealer today. With tax about $53 each. Seems to still be plastic, not glass.

BMW p/n is 11-11-8-523-906, and they call it a Olstandsanzeige entkoppelt.

I bought two to have a spare in case anyone else runs into this problem and cannot find one locally or does not have a local dealer.

WOW, they have really gone up in price. I purchased a couple a few years back, and they were under $20 each then.

 

[cws]

Stealers probably saw the other post about how easy it is to knock out & replace... decided to get their cut another way....

 

[deputy5211]

I kid you not...

 

[Lynn_Keen]

According to MAX BMW Parts Fiche they should be $33.12 each. Still pretty darn expensive.

04 11 11 8 523 906 SET: OIL LEVEL INDICATOR0.06 1 $33.12

 

[02vrodturbo]

There are plenty of threads on fogged radio displays, but did not find a reference to a fogged oil sight glass, which is what I have.

When I put the old gal back together after replacing the clutch, I cleaned it with some Castrol degreaser and clear water.

Since then, I am unable to see through the oil sight glass. Tried cleaning, smearing a little oil on it, denatured alcohol, and such, but still cannot see through it.

Any clues?

sounds like your degreaser melted the sight glass. Im thinking your going to need to do the old school "headlight" treatment. Meaning sand the sight glass with a 1500 grit using strokes going horizontally, the 2000grit sanding vertically, then lastly 2500 grit sanding horizontally then buffing with the lens cleaner from the kit.

I would go to your local auto parts and look through the kits and find the one which INCLUDES the sand paper, if not, autozone sells sandpaper and keeps it back my the auto body supplies.

 

[02vrodturbo]

WOW, they have really gone up in price. I purchased a couple a few years back, and they were under $20 each then.

.....Thats the Plano price.....everything is big in Texas......

 

[gunny]

Polish that sight glass and it'll be good again.

I used Brasso, left over from my Marine Corps days. Little dab on a rag and have at it. Was good until the next time I used Brakekleen to wash off that little dab of oil that got away from me when filling the engine after an oil change.

 

[bluebeam]

2 MONTHS AGO $19 & tax in Iowa city and its GLASS!!

 

[deputy5211]

I called the stealer and explained the large gap in pricing. He told me they were free to set their own prices, and I agree. He told me he was a franchised BMW Dealer and had to pay for his brick and mortar, utilities, etc., and I agree with that 100% also. I pointed out they the other prices were also from franchised BMW dealers with similar types of expenses.

He told me that he probably has a lower price online also, although I did not check.

He said he wants to keep earning my business, and that he needed to talk to the G.M. to see what would be acceptable to them. I told him that would be fine and asked that he do it, to which he responded that I needed to come in and he would address it then. I asked if he could check with the G.M. and get some guidance so that when I came in to make the adjustment, I would not have to waste my time whilst they went back and forth and found time to research costs, etc. I was told it does not work that way, I needed to come in.

Seriously???

He was very amicable throughout the conversation, and I suspect he feels he did what he could to take care of me. Maybe he did, but it does not strike me that way.

At this point in the adventure, I am inclined to return the parts and source them elsewhere and/or simply polish the Lexan enough to be able to discern the oil level behind it. This has already turned into more trouble than it should be.

 

[blueknightga6]

Even a dealership will often have lower prices when selling online than in the store.

When I had my Suzuki Boulevard I would check prices for stuff and order from a business called "Boulevard Suzuki" in Deland, FL. I think their brick & mortar name is Deland Powersports. When visiting my parents in the area one time we went by to buy some Suzuki passenger floorboards because of their GREAT price. Great until we got in the store where they were much higher and still would have had to pary FL sales tax. They politely explained that yes, their prices were lower online. I went to my parents house, ordered them online to be shipped to my home. They qualified for free shipping and were on the porch when we got home!