oil consumption on your R?

[ken k]

How much oil does your R use between changes? Is this normal? I just checked my sight glass and noticed there was no oil in the glass. I had to add a quart and a half. Seems like alot in about 1000 miles. I have a 2003 R1150R with 19000 miles on it. Could this be why the previous owner got rid of it?

ken k

[DJ Downunder]

"They all do that"

Don't worry...just check it every second day...try and keep it around the center of the sight glass.

You will need to wait till it's run in before it stops using oil...at least 20,000 miles.

My oil usage has slowed right down now at almost 40,000 klms.(approx 25,000 miles)

DJ

[Biff's R]

Most folks here try to stay in the middle of the sight glass. Doing so reduces the possibility of overfilling.

[MIXR]

Used a little bit between rides (shot glass full) when I was on mineral oil. Only on long rides and only added about three shots between servicings. Don't seem to have used ANY oil in last 30,000 km now that I'm on synthetic oil! The sight glass at about the 3/4 mark. Don't seem to have the consumption problem a lot of others talk about. If overfull, it burns down to that mark anyway, then just sits there.

[new2BMW]

Ken;
As DJ points out, this is normal. Just keep an eye on it and add a little every few days of riding. I'm surprised that the previous owner didn't metnion this to you.

Note that this isn't a quality problem. Thes engines are designed for long term usage and it takes a long time to break them in to the point where it won't use oil. As a matter of fact, I'm not sure if it will ever get to the pint of not using any oil. Just remember that this is a normal part of boxer engine ownership.

[r1150rider]

As DJ put it: "they all do that". Actually, some do it a lot more than others. My '02 'R used about 1oz per 100 miles until roughly 38k miles, then it tapered off and now at 49k+ it's using maybe 1oz in 500 miles. I used to really be concerned, but finally got used to it. One thing to note- you can lose quite a bit of oil out of the filler cap and not know it. On a long ride a couple of years ago, my consumption got up to almost double the usual. I could see a bit of oil around the cap, but assumed if it was leaking much it would show up on my boot. It didn't, and I finally got to the point of checking the cap closely and found it to be the problem. And you shouldn't over-fill it, as others have mentioned, about halfway up the sight glass is what most consider "full". I also make it a point to check the level within a few minutes of shutting off the engine (after it's been up to full operating temp), if you wait 'til it's cooled down it could very well appear to be at or near the bottom of the sight glass.

[yjleesvrr]

A quart and a half every 1000 miles is on the upper end of oil consumption I've heard of for the boxer engine. Not to worry you however as these motors do take a bit of mileage to wear in. I recommend you take 'er out on some spirited rides where you rev the hell out of your engine in low gears. Lay off the synthetic for now.

Mine used about half a quart of oil every 1000 miles when it was new. I've changed the oil every 3k miles, and nowadays during this distance she uses less than half a quart, i.e. - not enough to warrant adding any in between changes.

[Boxer]

My bike has always loved oil! It used and used, and is finally tapering off at 40K. I probably shouldn't have gone to synth at 27,000. But I thought it was done!

I found also, there is more than one place for the oil to leak out. Mainly due to plastic covers and grimey o-ring seals. If you do your own valve adjustments and use the cam chain cover removal to find TDC, that plastic cover will get "mucked' up somehow and start leaking. Mine did. Wouldn't stop with new o-rings either. I had to get the aluminum ones from that California dealer on the internet. Now that I've plugged the leaks I find "she" actually burns a little still, but not enough to worry about between changes.

But you WILL have a big problem if you don't keep an eye on it during that long run-in period. It will suck it up in a good days riding and you'll find yourself out there in curvy-land with no lube in da flube.

[ken k]

I have also read about not parking the bike in the side satnd due to the oil running to the left cylinder and then gettuing burnt out. Anything with this?

And one more oil question. BMW recommends oil changes every 6000 miles. On my old bike I used to change the oil every winter when the bike went into hibernation regardless of the mileage. Should I do this?

ken k

[yjleesvrr]

Ken - I personally think 6k is a bit long to wait for oil changes. BMW specifies very long intervals for both its cars and motorcycles. The boxer engine is legendary for its durability however, so 6k may actually be sufficient. I plan on keeping my Roadster forever so I don't mind doing the changes at closer intervals.

I personally have never noticed any problems with my bike when left on its sidestand. I only use the centerstand when keeping it stored for several days. Perhaps what you heard applies to boxer bikes left for a couple weeks on their sidestands.

The answer to your last question depends on whether or not you ride through the winter. If you do not and want to put your bike away during the cold months, you should change the oil prior to its storage. Old oil if left a long time in the crankcase without being heated up to operating temps can form acids that then begin to eat away at some parts in the engine. If on the other hand you like to ride at least once every week or two like I do even in January, then putting fresh oil in the engine isn't quite as necessary. Riding in cold temps (even in the teens) doesn't bother me. It's riding when there are icy patches on the road that scares me.

[Leo]

Regarding oil usage and parking on the side stand. I used to park on the side stand while at work. No problem. Then one day I went out and started the bike up and there was this huge blue cloud of exhaust. I called the dealer. He said you parked on the side stand. Yep. He said occasionally everything will line up so the oil leaks into the left cylinder. Hence a big cloud of smoke. Now I usually park on the center stand and never had the exhaust cloud again.

[tor1150r]

I check the oil level within 5-10 minutes after a good ride. Right across the middle is where I keep it. I have 22k kms and it still consumes a little bit of oil. Maybe 100 ml every 1000 kms or so. Usining dino 20w50.

I have noticed that sometimes the level is higher or lower and I suspect it has to do with where the engine stops in relation to TDC, and how much may be lurcking in the lines/coolers (just a guess here folks!).

When I see the level below the centre of the glass I do not always add some. I check it again after my next 1-2 rides. If the level is consistently lower than centre I'll add ' a shot'.

My oil filler cap tends to sweat a little on long rides. Can't say it squirts the oil out, but there is some oil loss at the filler cap. I've switched to the BMW lockable cap and this seems to help a little. Trick here is to completely dry the seat and cap O-ring before tightening back in.

[kbc68]

In July i rode to Newfoundland and rode back threw the Gaspe and home 5500kms and only burnt 3/4 of a quart of oil . My speed was between 120 to 140kph. I figure it must be broken in now !

[FGanger]

I had the same concern with my new R bike. However, I kept the faith. I started by taking a quart of oil with me when I went riding. I later switched it for a small (4 oz) plastic container.

Now I can take a 3,000 mile trip and never add oil. At 50,000 miles, I no longer carry any oil with me. So - keep the faith.

Frank

[mistercindy]

Mine just turned 12,000 miles and it doesn't use a drop of oil. It did use a bit through 8,000 miles or so. Up to then I'd have to add a half a quart or so every 700 or 800 miles. But I change it every 2,000 miles and it hasn't used a drop since the 8,000 mile change. Center of the glass. Always.

Just FYI, I use the dealership's 20w50. I planned to start using synthetic when it stopped using oil, but I think I'll stick with the 20w50 through 20,000 miles.

[dans58]

I bought a new Roadster this spring (04 model). I now have 3500 miles on it. In my first 600miles, I didn't observe any oil consumption. Since my 600 mile service, I do seem to use a very small amount (I've added about six ounces ).
I don't know if this matters, but I followed the "break in" procedures exactly, and never went above 4K RPMs until after the first service. I also park on my center stand all the time.

[Guest]

My 04 Rockster with 3300 miles is using a quart every 800 miles. 48 mpg makes up for it though.

[GJBushman]

I thought my 2003 1150R was consuming too much oil, about 1 qt every 1000 miles. Each time I had it serviced at the same dealer they would tell me it was within specs. When I recently had the 24,000 service done at a different dealer I also told them about the consumption. They told me the same thing, "its within BMW specs". except they gave me one hint that the other dealer never told me, "anything over the bubble will get burned off." I had usually tried to keep my oil between the bubble and the top. Now I keep it between the bubble and the bottom and I use less oil. Go figure. For those who think they are using too much oil try this and see. Also you might remove the drain plug from the airbox once in awhile and see what comes out, shortly after a ride when the its still slightly hot. I was suprised how much came out, at least a couple tablespoons. No telling how long that oil has been in there!

[Boxer]

Also you might remove the drain plug from the airbox once in awhile and see what comes out

You mean there's a place to drain out that old air?

[Acacia]

Look on the bright side - most motors start burning oil and get worse. Beemers start using oil and then start using less.

You cant have both.