Oil consumption

Boxadog 2000 · Post by **Boxadog 2000** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 8:24 pm

As its a few years since I have had a new Beemer I have forgoten about oil consumption.

Bike has now don just about 2k and I have used about 200ml of oil in 1k, i seem to remember that my S used a bit more.

Any comments?

Bike is of corse using tractor oil (20/50 mineral oil)

Bob

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 8:31 pm

My Streetrod, when I first got it at 2200 miles, was using 1l per 1k; quite a frightening amount on a modern, water-cooled motor. It soon subsided to a similar rate to you GS. At 8800 miles (when I sold it) oil use was, if not negligible, not something to worry about as much. As with the Boxers, it seems (and this is a regularly commented on subject on V-Rod Forums) that mothering the motor when new results in hefty oil consumption as the rings don't seat properly.

My BCR's used about 500ml in the 1000 miles I've owned it (total mileage now 4100). I changed the oil this week to Harley 20w50 mineral which has smoothed the motor a bit - Chris at SLM said BMW now recommend mineral until at least 6000 miles. Steve Warren also made the comment that 20w50 is now the recommended viscosity.

Boxadog 2000 · Post by **Boxadog 2000** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 8:40 pm

Correct Castrol GP 20/50 is what's specified.

I did treat the motor with respect up to 1k now I just ring the nuts out of it mind you I am very concious about rpm untill the engine is up to temperature.

Bob

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 8:51 pm

Boxadog 2000 wrote:I am very concious about rpm untill the engine is up to temperature.

Bob

Spot-on.

When I had my Harley Dyna (from new) I ran it in as per the book ie very gently, building revs over a 1000 mile period. It used approx 500ml of oil in that time. It carried on using oil at about this rate until 2000 miles which is when I had the big bore kit/cams done; I've got the old pistons and barrels in my garage - the heads of the pistons are black and there's evidence of a fair bit of blow-by on the piston walls. After the new stuff was installed, the head engine guy at Thames HD then took me to one side and, out of earshot of the manager, told me the proper way to run-in a motor.

From then on the motor used not one drop of oil in nearly 3000 miles. It was smoother and used a bit less fuel to boot.

Any new bike I buy in the future will be run-in this way.

m25jambuster · Post by **m25jambuster** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 9:28 pm

The Jap stuff would appear to be similar. My SV650 used some oil during the first 1k miles and then used abit again through until the 4k service. Since then it has not used any at all and the motor was really smooth and almost vibe free for a V-twin. Mrs m25 SV650, although only having 1500 miles on the clock, appears to be going the same way. Would appear that this oil consumption matter is not just a BMW issue.

boxerpan · Post by **boxerpan** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 3:43 pm

The more exotic stuff like my RC30 also use a bit but that's down to having one piston ring less than most - and they don't carry much volume so it's an easy way to ruin a motor.