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oil level
Posted: Sat May 04, 2019 9:56 am
by matgriff
Hi, just returned from a 10 day 1600 mile tour of Scotland, first big ride on my 2005 RT since I got it. Two up fully loaded, it performed fantastically for the whole trip.
I noticed on the way back, around 80 miles from home, a little exclamation mark appeared in the dash, next to the BC symbol. I checked the oil level, which was just around half way on the glass, maybe just under. I can't remember exactly what I filled it to when I changed the oil, probably higher than half way, but certainly not to the top of the glass, so it had dropped a bit. I've done around 2200 miles since the oil change, I've added about 300ml and it's back to about 3/4 full.
Two questions. Is normal for the warning symbol to come on at that level ? and is it about right to use 250-300ml in 2200 miles ? I've read these engines do use a bit of oil. It's got around 21K miles on the engine.
Thanks
Mat
Re: oil level
Posted: Sat May 04, 2019 10:44 am
by ds99
I have a 2007 RT (49k on clock) and I also have had the exclamation mark appear with no other warnings. It means the oil is low-ish, but not critically low (if it were you would get the OIL warning)
Looking at other forums other people say it seems to vary when the exclamation mark appears. Mine appeared when it was at the bottom of the sight glass.
I find the boxer/RT engine does use more oil that other bikes I have had. I think that is pretty common. I know when I do a big european trip I have to add a litre of oil every 1,500 miles or so. But each bike seems to be different
Re: oil level
Posted: Sat May 04, 2019 11:50 am
by David.
In the Rider's Manual it suggests that the <!> Symbol should appear with "OIL" if the oil level is too low.
Check the oil level at the sight glass, if it's OK, the oil sensor might be defective.
Does the word "OIL" appear with a "Tick" next to it when the engine is up to temperature, running & in neutral.
Re: oil level
Posted: Sat May 04, 2019 2:17 pm
by David.
David. wrote:Does the word "OIL" appear with a "Tick" next to it when the engine is up to temperature, running & in neutral.
When "OIL" is selected on the BC, the "Tick" would appear where the --- shows on the dash.
Re: oil level
Posted: Sat May 04, 2019 4:50 pm
by ds99
Re: oil level
Posted: Sat May 04, 2019 5:32 pm
by matgriff
Hi, thanks for the info. Added 300mm of oil which bought it up to 3/4 height in the glass window. Warning's gone away now :-)
Thanks
Re: oil level
Posted: Sat May 04, 2019 6:23 pm
by gogs01
matgriff wrote:
Hi, thanks for the info. Added 300mm of oil which bought it up to 3/4 height in the glass window. Warning's gone away now
300mm is almost 12 inches - I'm guessing you added 300ml ?
Re: oil level
Posted: Sat May 04, 2019 7:30 pm
by simbo
gogs01 wrote:
300mm is almost 12 inches - I'm guessing you added 300ml ?
Or it was in a test tube
Re: oil level
Posted: Sat May 04, 2019 9:08 pm
by gogs01
simbo wrote:
Or it was in a test tube
Could be, could be ..... ;D
Re: oil level
Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 7:33 am
by beemerboy9
matgriff wrote:
Hi, just returned from a 10 day 1600 mile tour of Scotland, first big ride on my 2005 RT since I got it. Two up fully loaded, it performed fantastically for the whole trip.
I noticed on the way back, around 80 miles from home, a little exclamation mark appeared in the dash, next to the BC symbol. I checked the oil level, which was just around half way on the glass, maybe just under. I can't remember exactly what I filled it to when I changed the oil, probably higher than half way, but certainly not to the top of the glass, so it had dropped a bit. I've done around 2200 miles since the oil change, I've added about 300ml and it's back to about 3/4 full.
Two questions. Is normal for the warning symbol to come on at that level ? and is it about right to use 250-300ml in 2200 miles ? I've read these engines do use a bit of oil. It's got around 21K miles on the engine.
Thanks
Mat
I ran a oil/air cooled 2005 RT for 60,000 miles. Ridden solo in the UK it used little oil. Ridden two-up or screaming up and down an Alp, using more engine revs - then the bike used more oil, similar to what you describe. The engine tolerances are relatively loose to allow for different expansion rates between the piston and cylinder.
By contrast, the liquid-cooled RT's use almost no oil between services because the more effective control of cylinder expansion allows for tighter tolerances.
Re: oil level
Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 9:31 am
by matgriff
yes 300ml :-)
