Sight glass???

[stevesilver]

This is gonna sound weird.
Am going France for the day tomorrow so was checking bike over. Was looking in sight glass to check oil. Couldn't see any oil at all in it. So put some in

Long story short ended up putting 2 1/2 lts in it. Still couldn't see anything in sight glass. Just the greeny ish backdrop

So to be sure have drained oil out, refilled with same stuff 3.5lts as per Manuel.
Was far too much in there, glad I did that.

But

Still can't see oil in sight glass

Any body else experienced this????

[milleplod]

Shouldn't it look a silvery colour if there's none in the glass? Was the oil you you used synthetic? If so, is it possible that you're actually looking through shiny, clean (greenish) oil?!

Pete

[Jeff Highland]

I think it is actually 3.75l required.(from fully empty including filter)
If you have overfilled it with fresh oil it can be hard to tell, but if you start it on the centrestand you may see the level drop into the window. (I have done this overfill too)

The procedure for checking is to leave it on the sidestand for 10 minutes after a run to allow oil to drain from the radiator, then put it on the centrestand to check.

You are probably still just slightly overfull.

[stevesilver]

It was well overfilled
The oil I took out was black, I had to put that back in so should have been very visible. Have used sight glasses for years on various bikes with no problem. I couldn't see any so topped up and topped up till I thought this is ridiculous. Drained it out, must been 5/6 litres in there.

Manuel says 3.5 lt without filter changes. 3.75 with.

Anyhow back from France with no trouble except:-
Had this problem when away few weeks ago with oil coming out filler cap and covering my boot in oil. Bought new cap and bit that fits in engine and it's been fine.
Until today, extensive motorway use and it's leaking again. Only slightly but leaking nevertheless
How do I stop that????

[boxerscott]

Post a piccie?

[Mitch1100]

Oil pressure switch leaking?

[stevesilver]

Good idea, will take pic. Nothing leaking as such, the fills cap has a slight weep. Before I replaced that it was leaking enough for it to be over my leathers.

Two different problems but both oil related

[Jeff Highland]

seems to be a common problem on oilheads, solved by aftermarket filler assembly, or by removing the valve cover, thouroughly degreasing and installing the insert with both a new o-ring and quality silicone sealant

[The Teutonic Tangerine]

It is very easy when topping up to spill a little oil which runs into the fins and down the head if you don't get it all wiped off it will blow onto your leathers / trousers and look like a leak you only need half a tea spoonful to make it look terminal.

This is especially so on the R1200RT because there is so little room to get a funnel or oil jug to the filler hole because of the fairing.

Make sure you always use a funnel or jug to fill up / top up and wipe down well afterwards - is it really a leak or just messy filling?

If it persists could it be a cracked plastic filler cap or split / missing O ring. or even worse a crack in the head cover where the filler cap screws in.

[stevesilver]

TT deffo was a leak, was in Holland. Was a puddle of oil in recess, which then ran down side of cylinder head and some blown onto leathers/boots.
Bought complete new assembly, washers, cap and the bit that taps into the head that hold the cap.

All fine until extensive motorway use when it started weeping slightly.

AND

I can't check bloody oil level as batteries flat in the sight glass

[The Teutonic Tangerine]

AND

I can't check bloody oil level as batteries flat in the sight glass [/quote]

"What choo talkin about Willis" - Batteries in the sight glass????????????????????????

I assume when you replaced all the bits they provided you with the O ring that goes under the filler tube (insert that the cap screws into) as well as the O ring for the filler cap?

R1100S head cover.png (71.96 KiB) Viewed 10672 times

[quote="stevesilver"]

[stevesilver]

Battery bit was a joke


Yep replaced all of it

Had to tap it into place with suitable fitting socket

Didn't use any form of mastic as I think some body mentioned

Will take pics of both tomorrow

[Jeff Highland]

Seems to be an issue even if you do a standard installation perfectly
https://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.ph ... l-fill-cap

[stevesilver]

Jeff, thats looks the way to go with the oil filler cap, thanks
£89 is a lot, but at least it will stop me from constantly looking down at the cap thinking is that a new puddle of oil come out?

Thanks as always guys, your combined knowledge is immense

As for sight glass will take picture and post when I've figured how to make image small enough to upload

[stevesilver]

Have took photo but it doesnt come out very clear, will try post it now...