newbie here...04 Oil Sensor problem?

[meeyatch69]

Hello all!

I'm new to this site and am in the process of purchasing a 04 rockster from a private seller. The seller has advised me that the oil light sometimes comes on, but that this is no cause for alarm as he has read online that the oil sensor sometimes doesn't "recognize" synthetic oil. This sounds unusual but I am not an expert so I have no idea.
Has anyone heard of this issue before? Is it common in Rocksters? Most importantly, is there a potential engine killing problem lurking around the corner? I know you can check the sight glass to verify there is oil in the engine but I'm worried that the oil light coming on could be an indicator of other issues that could be rather expensive to fix down the road.

The seller seems trustworthy but as I am not an expert and could find no info on this in my google search, I thought I would put it before the forum for some help. I really want to make sure this isn't an issue before handing over the cash.

thanks all!!

[hank]

Sounds like snake oil to me.

Oil pressure switch can't tell the difference between synthetic and mineral oils. It is more likely to be a short circuit in the wiring, if the wire from the oil pressure switch earths the light will come on. If the seller is genuine he should be happy to meet you at a bike repair shop and have the pressure checked using a gauge.

Proceed with caution.

Hank.

[riceburner]

As said in my pm - I'd be concerned.

If there's enough oil in the system, then the pressure drop that would cause the light to come on can, as far as my thinking goes, only be caused by something blocking an oil passageway.

Like I say - that's the way my thinking goes.....



Can your seller tell you WHERE he read this?? Any information without knowledge of the direct source is always to be treated with suspicion.

[BigRockR]

I am the seller, also an Automotive Engineer for the last 15 years. I have had the rockster since mile one. I have done all maintenance on the bike, all routine service and ridden the bike in all conditions. I have ridden all 18000 miles on this bike. The oil sensor is an issue with any boxer engine and there is a significant difference in the synthetic oil...the oil sensor has only been an issue after changing to synthetic. This has been documented.....

If this were an indicator of a potential engine failure....as mentioned.....then how have I ridden it that way for 4 years and over 12000 miles without said failure coming to fruition?

I would like to caution future readers in exercising discretion in the "Opinions" of irresponsible wanna-be experts. Maybe they should have to show some qualifications instead of simple opinons....Mine is 6 years of intimate knowledge of this bike, and Engineering Degree, 15 years automotive engineering experience including work with BMW dirrectly as a tier one supplier.....so maybe I have some credibility.

I have maintained and tweaked this bike to a high level of performance. This bike is running above the original specs and has for 6 years now ran well with CBR's Gixers and the like with out one day of failure of need for repairs or rebuilds. In the past 18000 miles of high performance from this bike, I have seen most of the bikes I have ridden with consistently fail or have to undergo major service. The ONLY issue this bike has ever had was a broken wire in the tailight.

Not upset that the guy backed out of the purchase, I really kinda hoped he did as I was letting it go for $1000 less than the bikes worth. I am dissapointed that he based his decision on what you fools threw out there....Your guessing! You really have no clue about what you spoke of.

So I'm fine with keeping the Rockster....(it runs better now than from the factory).....But; if there was a legitimate concern on the sensor, and I not trustworthy....Would I have disclosed the oil light to him?

As with any forum.....advice is more speculation than definitive fact....so reader beware!

[BigRockR]

Might want to check this....Seems to be a common problem....cheap fix...still not definative...but I'll check it out....

Oh and low oil....Please....just changed oil, filter, crush ring, 3.75 quarts as required, in addition the sensor will not trigger unless the level is 0.9 quarts low or better. Good try though....

Try this link....http://www.r1150r.net/board/viewtopic.p ... 57&start=0

[BigRockR]

Funny the advice and solution that worked to solve this apparently simple problem from the link in my last post reply, was submitted by....."Riceburner" so why in this scenario with the same symptoms did you not give the same advice?.....Something change?

Simple five minute fix versus you recomending Catastrophic failure? What the hell?

[riceburner]

Funny the advice and solution that worked to solve this apparently simple problem from the link in my last post reply, was submitted by....."Riceburner" so why in this scenario with the same symptoms did you not give the same advice?.....Something change?

Simple five minute fix versus you recomending Catastrophic failure? What the hell?

To be honest, I'd forgotten that post, it was 3 years ago!
(is that what was causing your issue with your bike? glad it's sorted if so).

I was just posting up things that occurred to me as I thought of them - I'm juggling working with posting on the forum, something I'm not brilliant at (multi-tasking) so I can be a bit haphazard with thoughts.

I don't think I was recommending catastrophic failure, just pointing out things to be aware of to the buyer.

I also would have thought it obvious that my advice

Any information without knowledge of the direct source is always to be treated with suspicion.

would apply to my own advice too. I'm just a name on a forum.
I've never claimed to be a super-BMW-guru. I have just ridden 3 Rocksters 110,000+ and done most of my own servicing over the past 5 years.

[riceburner]

I am the seller, also an Automotive Engineer for the last 15 years. I have had the rockster since mile one. I have done all maintenance on the bike, all routine service and ridden the bike in all conditions. I have ridden all 18000 miles on this bike. The oil sensor is an issue with any boxer engine and there is a significant difference in the synthetic oil...the oil sensor has only been an issue after changing to synthetic. This has been documented.....

oh - by the way - could you point us to where this issue with synthetic is documented??
I can't remember reading it anywhere - but that doesn't mean it hasn't been put on the web somewhere - I'd be interested to read anything about it.

(which incidentally is what I told your buyer - "I don't know about it". Doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I also told your buyer that I have never used synth -so would never have experienced the issue).

[sweatmark]

The oil sensor is an issue with any boxer engine

I've never heard of this oil sensor / synthetic oil problem. Please post some links to information.

Isn't the oil sensor just a pressure switch? Why would a change in crankcase lubricant (of any type) cause malfunction of pressure switch if the lube's kinematic viscosity meets the OEM specs? Would not the positive displacement gear pump "pushing" the crankcase oil provide sufficient local pressure at sensor position within oil circuit, as long as the lube's viscosity was on spec?

Please enlighten regarding this boxer motor oil sensor issue.

[hank]

I would like to caution future readers in exercising discretion in the "Opinions" of irresponsible wanna-be experts. Maybe they should have to show some qualifications instead of simple opinons....Mine is 6 years of intimate knowledge of this bike, and Engineering Degree, 15 years automotive engineering experience including work with BMW dirrectly as a tier one supplier.....so maybe I have some credibility.


Not upset that the guy backed out of the purchase, I really kinda hoped he did as I was letting it go for $1000 less than the bikes worth. I am dissapointed that he based his decision on what you fools threw out there....Your guessing! You really have no clue about what you spoke of.



As with any forum.....advice is more speculation than definitive fact....so reader beware!

If you had climbed down off your high horse before replying to our posts you might have found the answer to the problem earlier. Who is the fool now?

Hank.

[Lion_Lady]

I am the seller, also an Automotive Engineer for the last 15 years. I have had the rockster since mile one. I have done all maintenance on the bike, all routine service and ridden the bike in all conditions. I have ridden all 18000 miles on this bike. The oil sensor is an issue with any boxer engine and there is a significant difference in the synthetic oil...the oil sensor has only been an issue after changing to synthetic. This has been documented.....

Hmmm. Documented by WHOM??

I've got an '04 Rockster that I've owned since mile 1. I switched to synthetic at the 600 mile service - BMW synthetic at first. Switched to Amsoil 3 years ago. I've NEVER had any issues with the oil sensor. The bike just rolled over 61,000 miles. I've done the basic maintenance myself, going to the dealer or certified service for the more complex stuff.

P

[iowabeakster]

The oil sensor is an issue with any boxer engine and there is a significant difference in the synthetic oil...the oil sensor has only been an issue after changing to synthetic. This has been documented.....

backed up by this...

Mine is 6 years of intimate knowledge of this bike, and Engineering Degree, 15 years automotive engineering experience

The ridiculous "synthetic oil" explanation (given to the potential buyer) was obviously incorrect. Riceburner and the others were doing the right thing sharing their thoughts. Our bikes have an oil pressure sensor and warning light to warn the rider of potential engine damage. That is what the the pressure sensor and warning light are for, isn't it? RIGHT??? Their comments were completely appropriate. The only thing that was inappropriate was lobbing insults at them.

I would like to caution future readers in exercising discretion in the "Opinions" of irresponsible wanna-be experts.

Those wanna-be experts found the real problem in the very first post, by Hank.

[BigRockR]

Bottom line...If the Oil pressure were and issue...either from lack or oil or a blockage, the bike would have had major problems years ago. The reason I have nothing as far as a link to documentation is that when I first saw the light stay on, was approx 4-5 yrs ago. I found answers on the internet, maybe even this forum....but anyway the answers many were a difference in synthetic oil versus regular oil. So I didn't worry about it...seems like it was OK regardless....

So now that Riceburners initial conclusions seem to be a potential root cause, that will be what I investigate. Lights been on for over 12,000 miles and 4 years.....it must have been ok....a bare wire seems to be a good resolve....

And the good faith of taking it to a dealer to check out with the buyer....well seemed like a quirk instead of a major problem, and the nearest dealer is two hours away...they have only been BMW for about 9 months....the next dealer is 3.5hrs.....Not really reasonable.

The buyer had already bargained me down $500 so if it meant that much I would think he would have spent a little to see what was up with the switch.

We all know that although the Boxers are great bikes...they do have a few quirks....I really dont think this guy is going to enjoy a Euro bike, as he axpects everything as perfect as a new Honda....This is a Great 04 Rockster and a great price given condition, miles and extras....

So maybe it will go to a more worthy individual.....

Thanks for all the advice... Ride safe.

[MikeCam]

Good finish. Let's all go home.

[Gubachoo]

also, there is a bmw TSB about this, i have an 04 rockster and the light came on after about 2 years, i called the dealership and asked them to tow it over, they said no, its a really common problem, a wire rubs bare by the frame in the wiring and grounds it out, therefor illuminating the warning light. im a mechanic and hooked up a pressure gauge and watched the pressure stay stabile while the light flickered on and off as i shook the harness. i rode it to the dealership and they repaired it with a new harness and "protective shield" which was probably electrical tape. the point being, this is a common enough problem on 04 rocksters to deserve a tsb (the most helpful tool a mechanic ever had) and common enough that they knew what i was talking about as soon as i called and told me it was no big deal, like i said, checked the pressure myself and it was ok and afterwards, the light never came on again.

im suprised this tsb isnt on this site or online anywhere (i never looked for it, they showed me a copy when i brought it in to be fixed). being a mechanic for many years, i also cannot see how synthetic oil could affect a sensor, but then again, stranger things have happened. either way, i would say that is your problem, remove the harness and trace it until you find the short (i would tell you where it is, but since it was still under warranty i just let them fix it and gave it no second though)

hope this helps guys

[Boxer]

May be the oil pressure sender switch itself. My light started coming on at odd times after about 27,000 miles, then one day would not go off after restart. It was the switch. And they're very easy to replace.

[hank]

My oil light wasn't coming on at all, so after checking the bulb I tested the switch by earthing the wire from the switch against the exhaust header, once earthed the warning light came on.
So I replaced my oil pressure switch yesterday, very easy. I didn't have a metric socket big enough but I had a 15/16 which although a little bit loose is close enough, the switch only needs to be tightened to 30nm. I find it reassuring to see the light go out when I turn over the engine.


Hank.

[boxermania]

Intermitent operation of lights, switches and the like n the headstock area on an R259 should clue the owner or a BM Tech in the knowto look into the "too tight nylon tie issue" that has been documented many times on this and other BMW forums.

Outright failure of the pressure switch or connectors to the pressure switch do occur but they are far and few compared with the nylon ties issue.

[garr2]

It's the camaraderie and collective wisdom of this forum that keeps me coming back.
And you can even learn a lot about BWM bikes.