Author Topic: K75 Oil Level -- 3.9 or 4 quarts  (Read 7516 times)

Offline ScooterNSticks

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K75 Oil Level -- 3.9 or 4 quarts
« on: August 28, 2019, 09:42:52 PM »
Was looking at the oil level sight glass and saw it was completely full.  The manual calls for 3.9 quarts.  Dealer charged me for 4 quarts and I suspect they put it all in.

Should I siphon some out or would that .10 of a quart be incidental?  Bike runs fine.  Or so it seems to my newbie sensibility.  It's faster than my Vespa...
  • Boalsburg, PA
  • 1992 BMW K75, 2006 Vespa GTS 250ie
My Blog: Scooter in the Sticks
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Offline johnny

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Re: K75 Oil Level -- 3.9 or 4 quarts
« Reply #1 on: August 28, 2019, 10:02:23 PM »
greetings...

an overfilled engine will blow the rear main seal if the crankcase breather hose is clogged...

the goal is to fill to the top edge of the sightglass after oil has migrated to the sump while on centerstand with engine off after a warm up...

then add when the level getts down to half on the sightglass...

the problem with measuring it in is you do not know how much was left in there when they buttoned it up...

something as routine as an oil change... caints even trust oe dealers to do that right... pathetic...

j o
  • :johnny i parks my 96 eleven hundert rs motobrick in dodge county cheezconsin  :johnny

Offline ScooterNSticks

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Re: K75 Oil Level -- 3.9 or 4 quarts
« Reply #2 on: August 28, 2019, 10:03:36 PM »
Thanks.  I'll siphon some out until I can see the oil level in the glass.

It's always something.
  • Boalsburg, PA
  • 1992 BMW K75, 2006 Vespa GTS 250ie
My Blog: Scooter in the Sticks
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Offline rbm

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Re: K75 Oil Level -- 3.9 or 4 quarts
« Reply #3 on: August 29, 2019, 07:18:57 AM »
Top of the sight glass is absolute maximum level; any more could possibly cause engine damage as Johnny points out.  Preferred level is halfway up the sight glass when the bike is on the centre stand on level ground.  Absolute minimum level is at the bottom of the sight glass.  I would recommend drain to the halfway mark.
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1987 K75 - Build Blog @http://k75retro.blogspot.ca/
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Offline ScooterNSticks

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Re: K75 Oil Level -- 3.9 or 4 quarts
« Reply #4 on: August 29, 2019, 08:08:33 AM »
Top of the sight glass is absolute maximum level; any more could possibly cause engine damage as Johnny points out.  Preferred level is halfway up the sight glass when the bike is on the centre stand on level ground.  Absolute minimum level is at the bottom of the sight glass.  I would recommend drain to the halfway mark.

After my breakfast of champions, a walk with the dogs and some time to gauge all the shit I have to do today -- I'll remove some oil to the halfway point.  Have a big syringe.  Need to find the tubing for the end of it.  Worked on the Vespa.  Should deal with the K75 in the same primitive manner.
  • Boalsburg, PA
  • 1992 BMW K75, 2006 Vespa GTS 250ie
My Blog: Scooter in the Sticks
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Offline rbm

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Re: K75 Oil Level -- 3.9 or 4 quarts
« Reply #5 on: August 29, 2019, 08:15:23 AM »
Or use the drain plug, and drain into a pan.  Not much is needed to be removed.
  • Regards, Robert
Toronto, Ontario

1987 K75 - Build Blog @http://k75retro.blogspot.ca/

Offline Chaos

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Re: K75 Oil Level -- 3.9 or 4 quarts
« Reply #6 on: August 29, 2019, 08:25:43 AM »
Siphon not good idea, difficult route for hose.  Drain plug messier but easy.
  • sw ohio
1987 K75S    VIN 0231
Original owner, Original litter
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2023 Ural 2WD sidecar (BMW's bastard step child)

Offline ScooterNSticks

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Re: K75 Oil Level -- 3.9 or 4 quarts
« Reply #7 on: August 29, 2019, 08:38:30 AM »
Siphon not good idea, difficult route for hose.  Drain plug messier but easy.

Damn.  And I already took my weekly shower!
  • Boalsburg, PA
  • 1992 BMW K75, 2006 Vespa GTS 250ie
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Offline Laitch

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Re: K75 Oil Level -- 3.9 or 4 quarts
« Reply #8 on: August 29, 2019, 08:47:03 AM »
Siphon not good idea, difficult route for hose.  Drain plug messier but easy.
Damn.  And I already took my weekly shower!
Slightly loosen the oil filter cover bolts and let it dribble from the edge of the cover. I wear this gear for oil changes.

  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
  • 1995 K75 89,000 miles
I wept because I had no radials until I met a man who had no splines.
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Offline ScooterNSticks

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Re: K75 Oil Level -- 3.9 or 4 quarts
« Reply #9 on: August 29, 2019, 10:49:13 AM »
Slightly loosen the oil filter cover bolts and let it dribble from the edge of the cover. I wear this gear for oil changes.



It's just shaping up to be a bad day.  I never had days like this when the Vespa was the only thing in the garage.

So I ordered the suit on Amazon in preparation for letting some oil dribble out.  I've notified the fire department and was told I first need a permit.  And to get the permit an inspector has to look at the property.  The earliest they can schedule is the day before Christmas.

However, while closely inspecting the oil level window in the bright light of day, sober, clear-headed and grateful to be alive, I see the level is just slightly below the maximum level.

QUESTION:  Do I cancel the order for the space suit or do I continue to drain some oil?
  • Boalsburg, PA
  • 1992 BMW K75, 2006 Vespa GTS 250ie
My Blog: Scooter in the Sticks
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Offline Laitch

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Re: K75 Oil Level -- 3.9 or 4 quarts
« Reply #10 on: August 29, 2019, 11:42:30 AM »
You order the suit to keep you safe when you're stir-frying. Right now you take a ride on the Brick, if you can.
  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
  • 1995 K75 89,000 miles
I wept because I had no radials until I met a man who had no splines.
https://tinyurl.com/RillRider

Offline herseyb

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Re: K75 Oil Level -- 3.9 or 4 quarts
« Reply #11 on: August 29, 2019, 11:44:44 AM »
that's good.  now go do 300 miles on the interstate at top revs and see how much is left.  then you can plan consumption for long range travels.

 My k75 didn't drink too much putzing around the neighborhood but would go from top of the glass to the bottom when ripping all day with my camping gear on top.
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Offline Scott

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Re: K75 Oil Level -- 3.9 or 4 quarts
« Reply #12 on: August 29, 2019, 11:57:07 AM »
Dealers, not just M/C shops, often seem to overfill engines with oil.  My dad had a Tundra oil change at a well known dealer and it was over by more than a quart.  I drained it off and did the oil changes for him from then on.  I think the expert mechanics are working on the real mechanical problems, and they give the oil changes to unqualified helpers.  I do as much as I can for that reason.  That's my theory at least.
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Offline Gibson

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Re: K75 Oil Level -- 3.9 or 4 quarts
« Reply #13 on: August 29, 2019, 12:37:57 PM »
So the correct oil level is the dot in the center of the glass?
  • Dix Hills NY
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Offline Scott

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Re: K75 Oil Level -- 3.9 or 4 quarts
« Reply #14 on: August 29, 2019, 12:48:11 PM »
So the correct oil level is the dot in the center of the glass?
The owners manual says anywhere within the red circle, (600cc) is okay, top being maximum, and the bottom is the minimum allowed.  People all have their opinions to where is the optimum level.  For me, on oil changes i usually put the level at 5mm or so from maximum, and if it goes down below the bottom third I add oil to bring it back the top third of the window. As long as you can see the level, according to BMW, all is good.
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Offline Laitch

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Re: K75 Oil Level -- 3.9 or 4 quarts
« Reply #15 on: August 29, 2019, 01:02:04 PM »
For me, on oil changes i usually put the level at 5mm or so from maximum, and if it goes down below the bottom third I add oil to bring it back the top third of the window. As long as you can see the level, according to BMW, all is good.
That's a sensible approach stripped from the bonds of obsession. :-)
  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
  • 1995 K75 89,000 miles
I wept because I had no radials until I met a man who had no splines.
https://tinyurl.com/RillRider

Offline ScooterNSticks

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Re: K75 Oil Level -- 3.9 or 4 quarts
« Reply #16 on: August 29, 2019, 01:28:53 PM »
that's good.  now go do 300 miles on the interstate at top revs and see how much is left.  then you can plan consumption for long range travels.

 My k75 didn't drink too much putzing around the neighborhood but would go from top of the glass to the bottom when ripping all day with my camping gear on top.

Tomorrow I go for the long ride.  I'm going to put the side cases on to see how it is to ride with them. Maybe some expressway riding but mostly wandering through the wilderness.
  • Boalsburg, PA
  • 1992 BMW K75, 2006 Vespa GTS 250ie
My Blog: Scooter in the Sticks
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Offline Chaos

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Re: K75 Oil Level -- 3.9 or 4 quarts
« Reply #17 on: August 29, 2019, 03:07:59 PM »
Correct oil level is subjective.  Mine usually smokes on startup, always has.  Filling to bottom of circle seems to minimize it.  So I fill to top of circle during misquito season.  Besides, it's old enough now to smoke if it wants to.
  • sw ohio
1987 K75S    VIN 0231
Original owner, Original litter
200,000 miles (plus or minus) and 5 paint jobs
sold 6/23
2023 Ural 2WD sidecar (BMW's bastard step child)

Offline alabrew

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Re: K75 Oil Level -- 3.9 or 4 quarts
« Reply #18 on: August 29, 2019, 03:11:55 PM »
Conventional thought on the problem with accidentally overfilling is a hold over from traditional engines with the crank at the bottom in the oil pan and the crank splashes the oil and causes foaming.

This engine's crank is not in the oil pan to cause foaming. When the engine is running, the oil is below the sight glass and the crank is at least 5" above the oil level. It can accommodate up to an extra quart w/o issue.

I always put in 4 qts. with a new filter.
  • Birmingham, Alabama
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Offline Gibson

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Re: K75 Oil Level -- 3.9 or 4 quarts
« Reply #19 on: August 29, 2019, 03:24:02 PM »
I think for the same reason, you do not want the balance shaft in the oil. Over filling may do that with the K75. I just did a change last night only 6k miles on my bike.
  • Dix Hills NY
  • K75 ABS and R100Mystic

Offline ScooterNSticks

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Re: K75 Oil Level -- 3.9 or 4 quarts
« Reply #20 on: August 29, 2019, 06:19:22 PM »
Correct oil level is subjective.  Mine usually smokes on startup, always has.  Filling to bottom of circle seems to minimize it.  So I fill to top of circle during misquito season.  Besides, it's old enough now to smoke if it wants to.

I've left my on the side stand and it won't smoke.  I feel as if I've bought a lemon.
  • Boalsburg, PA
  • 1992 BMW K75, 2006 Vespa GTS 250ie
My Blog: Scooter in the Sticks
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Offline Laitch

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Re: K75 Oil Level -- 3.9 or 4 quarts
« Reply #21 on: August 29, 2019, 06:40:13 PM »
I feel as if I've bought a lemon.
Break out the gris-gris. You're tempting fate.
  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
  • 1995 K75 89,000 miles
I wept because I had no radials until I met a man who had no splines.
https://tinyurl.com/RillRider

Offline johnny

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Re: K75 Oil Level -- 3.9 or 4 quarts
« Reply #22 on: August 29, 2019, 06:43:27 PM »
greetings...

putts a bottle of marvel mystery oil in the tank and fill it up with no corn ethyl... it will smoke...

j o
  • :johnny i parks my 96 eleven hundert rs motobrick in dodge county cheezconsin  :johnny

Offline ScooterNSticks

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Re: K75 Oil Level -- 3.9 or 4 quarts
« Reply #23 on: August 29, 2019, 09:55:17 PM »
greetings...

putts a bottle of marvel mystery oil in the tank and fill it up with no corn ethyl... it will smoke...

j o

Ah, thanks for the suggestion.  I'll write it down and put it on the refrigerator...
  • Boalsburg, PA
  • 1992 BMW K75, 2006 Vespa GTS 250ie
My Blog: Scooter in the Sticks
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Offline Chaos

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Re: K75 Oil Level -- 3.9 or 4 quarts
« Reply #24 on: August 30, 2019, 08:44:34 PM »
Let the bike idle for a while on the sidestand then shut it off.  Let it sit overnight, starting the next day should bring tears to your eyes.
  • sw ohio
1987 K75S    VIN 0231
Original owner, Original litter
200,000 miles (plus or minus) and 5 paint jobs
sold 6/23
2023 Ural 2WD sidecar (BMW's bastard step child)

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