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Service-InformationM otorcycle
Group: ll
ยฉBMW of N.A.
Service Department Engine
August 1990
11 044 90
{2416) For USA Only
Oil Consllll.ption
Basis:
Important:
The following conditions should be closely adhered to in
order to determine if oil consumption exists:
1. The engine must not be leaking.
2. Check the oil level every second time the motorcycle
is refueled (after approx. 300 miles}.
3. Do not add oil until the minimum mark on the dipstick
on flat-twin models or at the bottom of the circle on
K models is reached.
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l)o not screw in the oil dipstick when aeasuring.
4. Position the motorcycle upright.
5. After switching off the engine, wait for approx. 5
minutes until the oil in the engine has returned to
the sump.
6. Add no more than 1 pint. Too much oil results in
higher oil consumption at high engine speeds via the
crankcase breather, and on flat-twin models power is
also lost as a result ofthe crankshaft churning in
oil.
The piston rings in the cylinder bores are only broken in
and an optimum. sealing effect achieved after a minimum of
5,000 miles.
Only when this stage is reached is it usually advisable to
โขeasure the oil consU11ption.
Calculation Oil cons1mption can only be estiaated roughly with the oil
of oil dipstick or at the rindow. The only precise aethod is
consumption: proper aeuuri.Dg or weighing of the initial and residual
Causes of
High Oil
Consumption:
oil content (see Attachment 11 for procedure).
1. Flat-Twin Engine
If the piston rings and crankcase breather are in
order, worn valve guides can be the sour~e of the
fault.
Please initial and route to the following before filing
Service Parts Sales Warranty Technicians
The dt!O’l”eeo f wear can be calculated by measuring lateral
valve play. The measuring aetho4 iโ described exactly in
Attac:haent 12. If play exceeds 0.7 u, new valve guides
should be fitted.
‘le will aupply inforaatioll on reuing out and uinq
ovenise valves u โ oon u the appropriate valveโ and tools
are available.
2. l[ ID.fineโ :
Piston rings with a defective surface may have been fitted
to a lillited nllllber of aotorcyc:les. If โ o, oil c:ons1111ption
may be excessively high.
Another explanation can be a defect in the coating of the
cylinder bore. When the engine has operated for approx.
6,500 ailes, traces of honing are no longer visible on the
cylinder coating (in defective cylinders) at the piston top
and bottom dead centers. The coating hu been rubbed shiny
at these points. ID cases of doubt, obtain the advice of
your Technical Services Manager. This possible defect has
since been rectified in the production process.
A three-figure nllllber is โ toped on the front right-hand
mounting eye of the engine block. Only engine casings
bearing nUlllbers bel.olf 593 uy be affected by the defect.
Very truly yours,
ยทB!IV of Rorth America, Inc:.
rrank Stevens
Rational Service Manager
Motorcycle Group
FS:jel/334.18
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~chard Dampf
Rational Technical Manager
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Attachment #1
Measuring Procedure for Calculation of Oil Consumption:
Drain off engine oil while the engine is warm.
Allow 10 minutes for complete drainage.
Add the specified amount of the correct SAE oil grade (without
filter).
Use the motorcycle for 600 miles.
Drain off engine oil while the engine is warm.
Allow 10 minutes for complete drainage.
Measure the amount of oil drained off in a suitable measuring
container.
Calculation of Oil Consumption:
Amount of oil added minus amount of oil drained off= oil consumption
Attachment #2
Measuring Process for Lateral Valve Play:
Remove cylinder head and strip down.
Fit an adjustable ring (pictured) to the valve shaft 60 mm from the
end. A small 0-ring can also be used, or if unavailable simply mark
with a felt pen.
Fit the measuring gauge stand together with a shim of at least 4 mm.
Insert the valve in the guide and place the measuring gauge tip on
the valve head.
Measure lateral play at the valve head.
Reverse the cylinder head and carry out the same measurement for the
combustionยทchamber end.
c:~ fo ~ 0
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Take the measurement at right angles to the rocker arm shafts, as the
most wear is incurred in this direction.
Assessment:
Jf 1โขr.~sal play of more than 0.7 mm is recorded at any one measuring
point, a ~ew valve guide should be fitted or the guide must be reamed out
to fit an oversize valve stem.
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