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Abnormal Oil Consumption??


Spidey9534

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Hello all,

 

If this topic has come up once every 6 months, I apologize in advance. I'm new here and to BMW bikes so I'm just trying to learn and be careful. I tried to do a search of the forum and read everything I could find 'before' I posted this, but I couldn't find an answer. Perhaps there isn't a definitive one for my question.

 

 

First some back ground....my last four bikes have been of Japanese manufacture. Essentially, put in gas, change oil and ride. Oil usage was never an issue.

 

I purchased a 2000 R1100RT in March of this year with 31K miles on the odometer and a nice documented maintenance history. I've put about 5K miles on it since then and love the bike. Having said that I have a nagging issue with what 'might' be considered abnormal oil consumption or not. It has me concerned enough to at least pose the question here and see what keener minds with much more experience with these bikes have to say on the topic.

 

To the best of my ability to determine consumption, I've used about 1 QT of oil since I purchased the bike. Is that an acceptable amount? Approximately 2 months ago I measured the oil level below the sight glass. After much reading, checking, riding, re-checking and carefully adding oil; I ended up adding a total of one quart and the oil level got up to the middle of the sight glass.

 

Some additional facts:

1) No apparent leaks anywhere (including the filler plug).

2) No smoking exhaust.

3) No oil in the air box.

4) No strange engine noises.

5) Oil level as measured today below the bottom of the sight glass again*** frown.gif

 

***Before I get trashed for not being able to accurately determine the oil level. I have read MANY posts regarding trying to determine the true level of the engine oil (Start, stop, on side stand, on center stand, run some more, shake chicken bones, take reading ten times with the moon and stars aligned, etc, etc.) and the various reasons why it is almost impossible to get the same reading (oil cooler hanging on to oil, etc.). I 'think' I've done it correctly 'enough' to be able to determine that I have in fact gone through the quart of oil. And yes...I read that the difference between the middle of the sight glass and the bottom is only four ounces, but I'm not sure how far below the bottom of the sight glass the oil level is yet. confused.gif

 

But...the question remains. Is it normal with this type of motor and the miles for the bike to use a quart every few months or so? Or does this sound more like abnormal usage that might be a symptom of some serious problem. confused.gif

 

Thank you in advance.

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Hi and welcome to the board.

 

Your oil usage is normal for the R series BMW engine. Indeed all 'boxer' style engines tend to use oil due to the high crankcase pumping volumes. The pistons have to displace as much air under them as above - 1130cc every stroke!

BMW consider up to 1 quart per 1000 miles to be normal usage. This is why the handbook emphasises checking oil levels. There is anecdotal evidence that the softer the original break-in the more they tend to use.

 

Relax and enjoy your bike - just keep a weather eye out for the oil - 1 quart in 5K miles is not too bad for one of these.

 

Andy thumbsup.gif

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When you say it needed a quart, are you sure that you knew the oil level precisely when you first purchased the bike? Perhaps it was already a bit low and that's why you needed a full quart. As you read, the amount of oil from the bottom of the sight glass to the dot is only four ounces. How many miles did it take to go from the dot to the bottom of the sight glass?

 

BTW, some oil usage is perfectly normal in oilheads, especially at low miles (and your bike might still be considered in the low miles range for a BMW.) These engines wear in very slowly and my oil consumption didn't work down to a trivial level until I had 50k or so on the engine and that's not unusual. The good side of all this is that the rings/bores last just about forever in these engines.

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Your oil consumption is very normal. It should continue to decline slowly as you put the miles on, especially higher speed all day miles. The oil amount from the top of the circle to the bottom is about 16 oz. To the dot would be 8. Synthetic oil will reduce consumption a bit as it is less volatile.

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Just as a side note... I have found that if there is a good amount of oil in the sight glass when the bike is on the side stand, i don't worry about it till i'm ready to change the oil, or i'm bored and want to add some. As noted above, its not much oil loss even with it not showing on the center stand.

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Global_Rider
Is it normal with this type of motor and the miles for the bike to use a quart every few months or so?

 

No engine should use any oil. My BMW car never used a drop between oil changes. Neither did any of my Japanese cars or motorcycles.

 

But BMW boxers seem to be different. I keep tabs of how many ml of oil I add when I need to. I've also come up with an accurate and precise method for determining oil level.

 

My 2003 GS Adventure used oil from day one and tappered off to almost nil by 12,000 miles.

 

My 2004 GS Adventure used practically NO oil from day one. On my last tour, I may have added a half liter during my six weeks on the road under some of the hottest temperatures and high speeds.

 

Without being abusive, go for a brisk ride; load the engine.

 

Now where's that dang funnel?

 

TIP:: Grab some of those cone shaped paper cups you find at those water coolers. Cut the bottom 1/2" off (the tip) and stick a few in a zip lock bag (to keep them clean) under your seat. You now have a compact, disposable funnel when you are on the road.

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