Hey guys.

does anyone know how to clean the engine oil viewing glass on the side of the engine? mine is dark brown and can't see through it at all

cheers
Viney

Hi Viney,
This sounds like a silly question but are you sure it is dark brown or is the oil level too high? This is surprisingly common on BMW forums where people report they cannot see the oil level but when they drain it they can then see the window is reasonably clear.

Assuming that is not the case and it really is brown it says to me you have a very dirty engine, have you owned the bike long and what oil are you using in it? How often have you changed it?

If the level is not too high and have a dirty engine then I would be giving serious consideration to draining the oil and taking the sump right off (make sure you have all the new genuine seals and stuff to do the job before you start. Clean the oil pick-up, Roys had some strange white stringy stuff stuck on his pick-up and clean out the sludge and carbon from the sump.

I would then consider replacing the window whilst the sump is off and then use a couple of changes of filter and good diesel engine oil like Shell Rimula R3X with good long hot runs to clean up the rest of the engine gently over a few thousand K each time.
Regards,
K-BIKE

Viney, I thought my oil viewing "glass" was also dirty. So I ordered a new one and changed the oil.
Pouring the oil in slowly, I realised that the glass was not dirty, it was just the quoted amount of oil required was less than needed and now I can see the oil level.
Now I have a spare viewing glass sitting around doing nothing.

Most probably needs a new "glass".

Surprisingly easy to change and no need to drain the oil, just put it on the side stand.

Just to be sure lean the bike to the right and get someone to check and see if it changes.

Regards,

Phil

thanks fellas for your input.

yeah the bike was sitting for a while so there may have been a buildup of gunk on it and i have done about 600k's or so after doing my oil change using the haynes manual as a reference for the amount. turns out it is spot on

i worked out the problem... Trying to see the oil level is not recommended for indoors granted i do have 3 big mutha skylights but it was not good enough. i took the bike outside and got down on one knee and leaned her over with one hand while watching the glass... lean bike over... line moves down.... stand bike up... line moves up... amazing stuff......

Great News Viney,
Now instead of all of the clean-up work you can concentrate on riding the bike.
If the bike is new to you it is well worth going through and changing all fluids and filters so as to establish a base line with all the correct and clean stuff in there. Then you know that is as good as it gets for clean fluids.

It is important when you take the tank off have a look in the wiring looms and battery box, sometimes ex Police bikes have butchered wiring where they have just cut the Police radios and sirens/lights wires and taken them off before sale.
Regards,
K-BIKE

Hi Vinney and others

I have just returned from holidays and am having a lok at the sight...

I don't know if you have seen or remembered this post? It deals with the very simply method s of replacing the sight glass...

http://k100rt.aforumfree.com/engine-and-transmission-f10/newbie-question-is-there-some-direct-way-to-measure-oil-level-t161.htm

Regards

Mal

http://www.ibmwr.org/ktech/sight-glass1.shtml


By John McClellan

Here is an article that should aid those requiring removal/installation of a dirty sight glass.
Ajays