Drain Plug torque & FD gear lubricant on the R12R

[JGP]

Ok, I confess I'm a novice when it comes to doing work on my R12R. So you will understand my silly questions...

 

The drain plug torque, specification notes two different NM torque settings. How come?

 

When my 6oo mile service was done at the dealer, they used 75-140 synthetic gear oil. It now appears that that isn't what BMW is recommending. Does anyone know for sure what it is they are recommending? If it is something other than what was used at my at 600 mile service, should I have it changed, I've got nearly 7k on it now, and yes the 6k was done by a buddy (with skill) and me holding the light..........

 

jgp

[Don_Eilenberger]

Ok, I confess I'm a novice when it comes to doing work on my R12R. So you will understand my silly questions...

 

The drain plug torque, specification notes two different NM torque settings. How come?

Dunno - where are you finding two different spec's and what are they?

 

When my 6oo mile service was done at the dealer, they used 75-140 synthetic gear oil. It now appears that that isn't what BMW is recommending. Does anyone know for sure what it is they are recommending? If it is something other than what was used at my at 600 mile service, should I have it changed, I've got nearly 7k on it now, and yes the 6k was done by a buddy (with skill) and me holding the light..........

 

jgp

BMW is recommending BMW Synthetic Lube 75W-90 GL5. I believe ANY good synthetic GL5 75W-90 should work fine, but since you're under warranty.. I'd stick with the recommended and keep the receipt in case there are every any questions.

 

Given that BMW has specifically recommended this lube - I would change it if that isn't what's in there.

[JayW]

I agree - BMW makes a 75W-90 synthetic gear lube, and that is what I used. I too used the 75W-140 last year, but changed it out when I learned of the new recommendation. I doubt you've hurt anything, but I'd still change it at your convenience.

 

Note that the transmission should be refilled with 75W-140.

 

Jay

[JGP]

DE

 

??? back when the 600 was done the BMW dealer in Maryland put in 75/140, that was some 6 months or so ago. Did BMW have a change in recommendation???

[JGP]

Oil drain plug, M16 x 1.5

Initial torque, 23 Nm

 

 

Final torque, 32 Nm

 

This is from the BMW service manual I acquired online in CD form.

 

jgp

[imeyers]

Amsoil 75W-90 GL-5 Servere Gear Lube. Change it with that and you are done for 3 years or more. Best stuff on the market hands down. Look at any test comparison. Red Line is close but go with the Amsoil Severe Gear Lube. Use Amsoil 20W-50 in the engine and Amsoil 75W-90 in the Transmission and Final Drive and you are good to go. Change the engine oil once a year, the tranny every two years, and rear every three. The bike will last forever. Now I know I just started a whole other thing with the Amsoil but I don't care. As long as you use the recommended weight, they can't dictate and tell you what brand of lubricant to use.

[Jim VonBaden]

Oil drain plug, M16 x 1.5

Initial torque, 23 Nm

 

 

Final torque, 32 Nm

 

This is from the BMW service manual I acquired online in CD form.

 

jgp

 

Let's be careful here. The FD drain plug is only 20nm, the transmission drain plug is what you are talking about.

 

It wasn't completely clear what the OP was talking about!

 

Jim

[marcopolo]

DE

 

??? back when the 600 was done the BMW dealer in Maryland put in 75/140, that was some 6 months or so ago. Did BMW have a change in recommendation???

 

No, not if you're talking fluid for the final drive. Here is a direct quote from a February 2005 BMW USA Service Bulletin #33 001 05 (011). It concerned the 1200 GS, and the subject of the bulletin is "Bearing play at the rear wheel drive". The part of that bulletin pertinent to this discussion is the following:

 

"When filling the rear drive assembly with oil, pour in the defined quantity (0.25 l for initial fill, or 0.23 l for oil changes) through the bore for the ABS sensor. We highly recommend using BMW Super Synthetic Gear oil. 75W90, P/N 07 51 0 394 082."

 

Both the service DVD, and parts fiche, call for Castrol SAF-XO in the final drive, but I understand that the Castrol product is not available at BMW bike dealers in the U.S. (some suggest it may be available at BMW car dealers). Presumably, the 75W90 synthetic recommended by BMW USA is equivalent to the Castrol stuff.

 

If someone -- even your dealer -- says use something else, ask them to show you where in writing BMW recommends it.

[JGP]

JVB

 

Thanks for ensuring clarity on this topic. Can you advise the why you have to torque the OIL DRAIN PLUG twice?

 

thanks

 

jgp

[Ken H.]

JVB

 

Thanks for ensuring clarity on this topic. Can you advise the why you have to torque the OIL DRAIN PLUG twice?

 

thanks

 

jgp

I'm not JVB, and I don't play him on TV, but I think what this is all about is the fact that the transmission plug has a captive non-replaceable crush washer. The first torque spec is for the first time a new plug is installed. The second (tighter) torque spec is for when you are reusing it.

[planepaul]

The two figures for torque on the transmission drain plug and the oil drain plug are to be used in tandem, as I understand. I always use a new washer (unlike some), and when torqued to the first value it does not "crush". It is the second torque that makes the crush. It has been this way for me every time I have changed either oil.

Paul in CA

'05 R1200RT

[Dave_zoom_zoom]

OK! What am I missing here? (R1200RT)

 

If I'm reading my BMW CD Shop manual correctly, it says Gearbox drain & filler plug are 30Nm.

[Don_Eilenberger]

The two figures for torque on the transmission drain plug and the oil drain plug are to be used in tandem, as I understand. I always use a new washer (unlike some), and when torqued to the first value it does not "crush". It is the second torque that makes the crush. It has been this way for me every time I have changed either oil.

Paul in CA

'05 R1200RT

Paul - that makes a good deal more sense..

 

Thanks!