Over-filling oil

General discussion of the BMW R1200RT/R1250RT
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jackronner
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Over-filling oil

Post by jackronner »

I'm on tour on my 2009 RT (60k miles) and have slightly (??) over-filled the engine oil. Changed oil/filter before leaving. The sight glass is totally filled, and doesn't drop at all right away when the bike is started. After about 40 seconds it drops, and remains, to just above the fill lines. Should I release some oil down to the recommended level, or will this not injure interior seals, etc? I've ridden it around town with no ill effects noted.

On a side note, I have been experiencing a greater than normal oil consumption in the past year or so, and after a 500 mile day at 80mph, I checked the oil level, and it required about one litre. The day beffore, I'd topped it up only slightly after a similar 500 miles, but at much higher temperatures and more enthusiastic accelerations in some twisties. I asked at a dealership and they said that the RT will required about 1 litre every 1000 miles!!! I did 10k miles on my 2005 and didn't notice anything near that consumption. No leaks from drain or fill-hole nor filter, and it has never blown smoke out the exhaust. It seems to be funning a bit rough at idle.

If interior seals had been blown, is this shown by leaking oil or in some other way? I''m a bit nervous about the return trip in a couple of days.

Thanks
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VR46
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Re: Over-filling oil

Post by VR46 »

Yeah, depending on how much, overfilling oil can lead to some major issues, including crank shaft failure and other major internal issues, plus may lead to catalytic converter issues and fouled spark plugs.

Definitely drain off to proper levels.
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-Jamie
2015 R1200RT Ebony Metallic
jackronner
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Re: Over-filling oil

Post by jackronner »

Thanks. My recollection was that normally, right after turning the engine off, the sight glass was empty, so I thought I might have had put in about half a liter too much. I released enough oil (Maybe 150 ml) to bring it to the normal fill line. Don't know if that was enough to cause any troubles, but it'll do wonders for my state of mind for the return trip.
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David.
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Re: Over-filling oil

Post by David. »

jackronner wrote: Wed Jul 10, 2024 2:29 amI released enough oil (maybe 150 ml) to bring it to the normal fill line. Don't know if that was enough to cause any troubles.
The Silkolene Engine Flush is 100 ml which is added to the engine before draining the oil, https://www.silkolene.com/motorcycle/cl ... -one-shot/
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