pdes Posted July 7, 2008 Posted July 7, 2008 Strangely, my R1200RT used no oil until the 6000 mile service but, at 9000, I suddenly found that the oil warning came on and I needed to add half a litre of oil. Maybe the dealer underfilled it! I hope so!! The only oil I had to hand when I noticed this shortage was synthetic. So, my question is, is there a problem ,mixing synthetic with mineral? I was planning on using synthetic after 12000 miles so maybe this is a half-way house!
ShovelStrokeEd Posted July 7, 2008 Posted July 7, 2008 No problems whatever. You can mix dino and synthetic all you want. BTW, 1/2 liter is not low enough that you desperately need to add oil nor would I rely on the oil light to be an accurate indicator of the level in the engine. There is also no need to wait for some arbitrary mileage to make the change to synthetic. I do it, on new bikes, at the 600 mile oil change. It will, in no way, shape or form, have any effect on the wear in of the engine.
Mister Tee Posted July 7, 2008 Posted July 7, 2008 >There is also no need to wait for some arbitrary mileage to make the change to synthetic. I do it, on new bikes, at the 600 mile oil change. It will, in no way, shape or form, have any effect on the wear in of the engine. Unless of course, you are of the belief that a moderate amount of wear in the engine for the first few thousand miles is beneficial, and that synthetic oil virtually halts the wear process.
Boffin Posted July 7, 2008 Posted July 7, 2008 >There is also no need to wait for some arbitrary mileage to make the change to synthetic. I do it, on new bikes, at the 600 mile oil change. It will, in no way, shape or form, have any effect on the wear in of the engine. Unless of course, you are of the belief that a moderate amount of wear in the engine for the first few thousand miles is beneficial, Which I do and that synthetic oil virtually halts the wear process. which I think is bunkum. Synthetic oil has the same lubricity as non-synthetic oil. Different additive packages affect wear, not the base oil stock. That said, I accept that this is a religeous topic and that other folk have different opinions. Andy
ShovelStrokeEd Posted July 7, 2008 Posted July 7, 2008 By the 600 mile point, all of my engines are well worn in. No need to worry about retarding wear. You won't, anyway, but, as Andy said, many folks have different opinions. I don't follow or subscribe to BMW's recommendations for wear in. I have my own, which I have described here numerous times. My engines don't use oil and are in the upper percentiles for leak down over long periods of use.
rglassma Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 No boxer engine is broken in after 600 miles. They take close to 20K miles to break in. Every BMW dealer that i have ever spoken with says wait until 18K miles before you use synthetic. Me, i'll stick with dino oil. Go to the store and buy a liter of dino motorcycle oil.
ShovelStrokeEd Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 No boxer engine is broken in after 600 miles. They take close to 20K miles to break in. There are far better ways to wear in an engine than the BMW method. You might wish to do some investigation. Every BMW dealer that i have ever spoken with says wait until 18K miles before you use synthetic. What makes you think that a BMW dealer is an oil expert? Me, i'll stick with dino oil. Go to the store and buy a liter of dino motorcycle oil. Your option, of course. Doesn't mean others have to follow.
rglassma Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 I do what works for me. Of course I recommend to do what works for you. Since my bike is still under warranty and extended warranty, I believe it is prudent to follow the manufacturer's recommendations and instructions. There is a clause in the extended warranty stating that the owner is required to follow the manufacturers service intervals and recommendations for the warranty to be valid. I consider that to be enough cause to listen to what BMW tells me. Since my warranty is valid for another 6 years, I will continue to do so. Yes, it is just my opinion, what you have said is just yours.
okiebiker Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 Can't help with the oil usage but it doesn't sound bad. Having designed & tested engines for 40 years, you can believe the previous posts. Mixing is no problem. I run all my motorized vehicles on synthetics because it is so superior in every way. The biggest problem as one post indicated is the BMW warranty. Replacing synthetics every 6k is a little expensive, but I know people who argue that an extra $5 per quart on an $18k bike seems like a good investment. I have run synthetics on my 98 R11RT for about 4 years with no problems. I will switch to synthetics on my 07 R12RT when I can change the oil on my schedule not BMW's.
Tilly Posted July 9, 2008 Posted July 9, 2008 I used synthetic on a 1150RT too early and it threw a valve and destroyed the engine at 53000 miles. Was it the use of synthetic or not? Bike ended up on scrap heap and was replaced with a 1200RT - USING MINERAL ONLY Now at 14000 miles.
ShovelStrokeEd Posted July 9, 2008 Posted July 9, 2008 No boxer engine is broken in after 600 miles. They take close to 20K miles to break in. Every BMW dealer that i have ever spoken with says wait until 18K miles before you use synthetic. Me, i'll stick with dino oil. Go to the store and buy a liter of dino motorcycle oil. OK, I tried to be nice but your first statement is pure bullshit. It is entirely possible to wear in a BMW engine within a few hundred miles if you know the technique. It is really even pretty simple to determine if the engine is fully worn in. It is called a cylinder leak down test and is a very effective means of determining ring seal. The only thing that might take a bit longer is the oil control rings but, they have little effect on the efficiency of the engine.
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