BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

Hi Guys,


I'm about to change the oil and filter on my 2011 RT SE and I was wondering about whether to add an engine flush. Are there any known problems with using an engine flush on an RT service? Any brands recommended?
All contributions welcome,
Cheers,
Andy

BMW say never use any engine additives and engine flush would probably come into the same category.

Liverpool Brick wrote:I'm about to change the oil and filter on my 2011 RT SE and I was wondering about whether to add an engine flush. Are there any known problems with using an engine flush on an RT service? Any brands recommended?

Haven't used an engine flush on an RT but have successfully used it on others motorcycles & cars.

Wurth do an engine flush and cleaner formulated for motorcycles (inc. wet clutches), have used it on a 1981 Yamaha XJ650 with no ill effects.



DAE is another engine flush used on cars with dry clutches (like 2011 RT), again, no problems after use.

I would suggest with modern engine oils engine flush is well past its sell by date. Unless you have done something stupid like filled up with diesel

Both a local Suzuki car dealer & an independent motorcycle service centre use engine flush as part of an oil & filter change.

If the bike has a decent service history then there is no reason to use engine flush at all. In fact in my years of R11xx and R1200 I have never come across anyone who has used engine flush.
I do recall my Ford dealer offering me this service. When quized as to why they (the dealer) recommend it and Ford make no mention of it in there service schedule I was met with umms and arrs and shuffling of feet. If any vehicle has been serviced regularly then it is a waste of money and in my mind an easy way for dealers to make extra cash.

My thoughts as well.  Just to make money for nothing.

Thanks for your thoughts and I'm tending to agree with the "don't use it" camp which was my gut reaction in the first place. The bike has a full BMW service history up to 04/15 and I doubt it has been serviced since then.
Cheers,
Andy

Having had a MKII Golf GTI from new, it had an oil & filter change every 5,000 miles. After 140,000 miles, started to use an engine flush, was amazed at the amount of crap which came out of the engine on first use. Continued to use the engine flush, the oil definitely stayed cleaner for longer. Had the car until it had done 225,000 miles without any engine work being required.

Never would have thought about engine flush on motorcycle for the wet clutch reason. On vehicle engines that have got less than stellar maintaince we have added a qt of diesel to crank case and let engine idle for a few minutes then do a oil change, amazing the crud that comes out
On my PW 1340 T6 engine a couple quarts of MARVEL MYSTERY OIL prior to last flight before oil change, this was recommended by overhaul shop
PS 1340 oil capacity 11gallons
If I were to flush a car or bike engine, wouldn't let RPM get above idle

T6pilot wrote:Never would have thought about engine flush on motorcycle for the wet clutch reason.

If I were to flush a car or bike engine, wouldn't let RPM get above idle.

The Wurth engine flush is formulated for motorcycles with a wet clutch, (e.g. XJ650).

As it says on the tin, let the engine idle for 10 minutes.

Liqui Moly produce a range of motorcycle products, one of them being an engine flush, https://products.liqui-moly.com/additiv ... flush.html



Based on experiences of using an engine flush with my VW Golf GTI & Yamaha XJ650, I'm back to considering using it in the RT.
My reasoning is that I currently have no intention to replace the RT & wish to look after the engine in the best way possible, it may serve me well in the long run.

Any thoughts or observations would be most welcome, thanks.

Silkolene do this engine flush, Engine Flush One Shot - FUCHS Silkolene - Superior Motorcycle Oils RRP around £6.50.

Got a VJMC discount of 10% from Fowlers, Silkolene 1 SHOT ENGINE FLUSH | Fowlers Parts

Going off posts like this I wouldn't bother.
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Excellent next day delivery from Fowlers, engine flush turned up yesterday.