Yesterday I checked the oil, it was just below the middle of that window and added just a little bit of oil (bike has 1,400 miles on it) and today when I was riding it to work the oil was leaking through the plug. Actually even before adding the oil I noticed that my oil plug was kinda wet.
Right now after riding it for 35 miles the oil level is at the top of the window (I think that's where it's supposed to be at).
Is there anything I can do or i need to take it to the dealer to have them replace the plug? I was not expecting it from the brand new beemer.
Oh, another thought, did I overfilled the engine? Maybe mine just doesn't use the oil (since I was obeying the break-in rules) and I measured it incorrectly yesterday??? What do I know....
This has probably been discussed at least 300 times in the last 3 years on this board, but I know how hard it is to find a particular subject through the search feature, so:
The oil should be right in the middle of the sight glass. A little above or below won't hurt either. Now! Knowing how how undependable and varied this oil level checking method is, it has been found that its best to check the oil the exact same way each time. First: It must at operating temperature! I mean HOT! Then when you stop and place it on the sidestand, wait until you have your gloves off and then put it on the centerstand. Then wait 10 minutes and get down on that one knee and take a gander. Do it this way each and every time to have a consistent reading from day to day, week to week. Before you add any oil, check it this way three times! If you see oil in the window at all, you will be okay!
DO NOT OVERFILL IT! If there's doubt, then wait until it is below the dot for three consecutive measurements and then only add a couple of ounces. It is very easy to overfill it because the oil can be caught in mysterious places and give you a false low reading.
Now one final thing! These bikes new use a heck of a lot of oil! Keep an eye on it.
Dude you probably overfilled it. Check your left pants leg, you may have gotten some collateral splatter there as well. You should also check out the rubber o ring on the filler plug. It can crack/crimp when you tighten the plug which would also cause leakage. I always keep one in my tool kit.
Make sure you are also checking your oil level properly. At operating temperature put the bike on its center stand and go inside and get out of your gear. Then go back to the garage and check your level. Should be on the bullseye but anywhere in the red ring is ok.
Lastly don't forget a brand new boxer will go through quite a bit of oil. Ride the crap out of it (high RPM's) to beak it in properly. It will not totally break in until at least 12-15k. So says my service guy.
my rockster's oil fill plug lets oil blow by.The cap has a nice circle around it.
Its quite handy for catching rain. If the cap has blow by it sure makes you wonder if any rain is getting by.
Wunderbar german enjineeering!
I had the same problem at one time. The fix, as pointed out to me by members of this forum, was to remove the cap and wipe clean the o-ring on the cap and on the engine carefully before re-installing the cap. The problem went away. I don't think excess oil would come throught the cap anyway.
And yes, the engine takes a while to seat, so you will have to regularly top it off for while. "They all do that".
'02 in black - the real BMW color! (Now gone to a new home)
Vann - Lifer No. 295
