Forums > Maintenance > Oil Analysis on R12 RT

That's interesting.  THanks for sharing.

Hi Robo,

I have read some articles related to oil types for BMW boxers and I ahven't found answers to the following questions:

Does fully synthetic oil (like your Mobil 1) reduces the wear in the engine parts? meaning loneger engine life? that is compared to regular oil as it supposedly happens in V8 truck engines. This question is relevant when you have a high RPM engine like the boxer (compared to the GM V8 351 cubic inches).

Does fully synthetic oil harms the catalythic converter or any other engine parts when burnt while it is being used? It was a surprise to me to learn that the boxer engines consume as much as 1 quart every 600 miles (maximum compsumption as stated in the specs).

Why the bike's mechanic at my BMW dealer is so reluctant to commit a straight answer when I ask if I should use synthetic oil in my 06 R850R boxer engine to prolong its life?

I became a believer on Mobil 1 when my truck and car mechanic told me that he attended a demonstration showing that conventional oil has trouble flowing properly above 6000 RPM in a sports car engine (Nissan 350) but Mobil 1 was flowing perfectly above 9000 RPM on the same engine and I made the change in both my car and truck, they "feel" much more comfortable working with fully synthetic Mobil 1 oil and it is supposed to stop wearing on the engines.

Regards, BlitzBernie

 

 

 

I love this shit.

Thanks, man.

C

 

---------------------------------

Another sunrise, These bright and crystal moments, Crow flies overhead.

 

Hey Bernie,

I'm no expert on oil but I'll give you my opinions.  These questions are likely to draw Dennis out of his cave for a post!

You might enjoy this post:

http://www.bmwxplor.com/forums/topic/show/669

Does fully synthetic oil (like your Mobil 1) reduces the wear in the engine parts? It is my understanding that synthetic oil does not 'work better' than regular dino oil.  I believe it is supposed to last longer.  Boxer engines had long life times well before synthetic oils.

Does fully synthetic oil harms the catalythic converter or any other engine parts when burnt while it is being used? It was a surprise to me to learn that the boxer engines consume as much as 1 quart every 600 miles (maximum compsumption as stated in the specs):  I have never heard that synthetic will harm a cat.  I think everything has a cat now and so if it did cause trouble, we'd know.  Also, BMW sells synthetic oil for their boxers.

On consumption, note that is on a WORN boxer engine.  For example, mine used oil like crazy when new, then settled down to about 0.5 to 0.75 qt used in about 7000 miles.  As the engine gets worn, oil consumption will increase and when you hit 1 QT used in 600 miles, it's time to think 'rebuild'.  You'd have a lot of miles on the engine by then.  My 75/5 was not a high oil user either.

Don't know why your mechanic would shy away from synthetic.  If the engine is broken in, it should be fine.  Send off an oil sample to Blackstone!!!

I've also heard that synthetics 'flow' better through small channels, but this is anecdotal.  Again, I think quality oil, synthetic or dino, will do fine. 

Regards,

Robo

thank yuo for the infortion,

Thank you very much for your answers Robo. This is the kind of lecture that I enjoy when in peace at home and when riding on board my '06 R850R.

Regards,

Bernardo

 The report shows 99 molybenedum and I thought Mobil V-twin didn't have any moly in it due to the slippage of clutches on a wet clutch system like the Asian bikes. Otherwise Mobil -1 15-50 has the same additives as the V-twin except no moly in the v-twin. HMMMMM I'll have to investigate this futher.

---------------------------------

I'm your Huckleberry

---------------------------------

This level of molybdenum disulfide (99 ppm) is of no concern in a wet clutch design. Moly at 1000 ppm or higher might produce clutch slip in high performance or race applications but typically does no harm in a stock application. Moly is a powerful friction modifier what can reduce wear, heat and extend the life in high pressure applications. You want plenty of moly in engines and gear cases especially if you have a dry clutch design (R bikes). I routinley add moly to the transmission and final drive lubes in my BMW GS.

If your wet clutch does begin to slip, removing and sanding the plates will restore like new clutch performance.

---------------------------------

 

Let's discuss this a bit more.......

 

Oil consumption occurs when mating parts that are lubricated by engine oil don't fit well together. This ooccurs when the engine is new or when the engine is worn past factory specifications. New BMW engines DO consume oil, some more than others. Using a quart every 600-800 miles when new is not unheard of. Remember, cylinder walls in modern BMW engines are plated with Nikasil, a very hard surface. These walls take many miles to properly seat with their mating piston rings. As such, some oil is consumed as the engine is breaking in. As for worn engines, most reasonably cared for BMW engines will last well over 100,000 miles before increased oil consumption signals the need for a top end overhaul.

My 2001 GS quit using oil at about 15,000 miles and developed some new found power at about 18,000 miles once everything loosened up. Oh, and the engine became a bit noisier at that time as well. Currently, I use Mobil1 15W-50 auto oil and change every year. I use a premuim aftermarket filter, either Mobil or Purolator.

 Why Mobil 1? It is readily available, is reasonably prices and performs well in my application.  Why a non-OE filter? Cost. At about $18.00, the OE filter, while an excellent piece, is just too costly. The aftermarket filters work just fine and are half the price of the BMW piece.

---------------------------------

Let's discuss this a bit more.......

 

Oil consumption occurs when mating parts that are lubricated by engine oil don't fit well together. This ooccurs when the engine is new or when the engine is worn past factory specifications. New BMW engines DO consume oil, some more than others. Using a quart every 600-800 miles when new is not unheard of. Remember, cylinder walls in modern BMW engines are plated with Nikasil, a very hard surface. These walls take many miles to properly seat with their mating piston rings. As such, some oil is consumed as the engine is breaking in. As for worn engines, most reasonably cared for BMW engines will last well over 100,000 miles before increased oil consumption signals the need for a top end overhaul.[/quote]

Question:  I have about 8 k miles my R1200GS, and it's been using about half a quart of BMW 5W50 every few thousand miles.    Would my lubricant consumption increase if I converted to a synthetic like Mobil 1 during my engine break in period?   Speaking of that, how many miles before a boxer engine is considered broken in? 

 

My boxer used about the same amount of oil at 8k.  It slowed way down around 20k.  At 32k, it's pretty sparing on oil. I think I dumped in about 1/2 to 3/4 quart over a 6000 mile interval.  So it does take quite a few miles.

I've heard that you shouldn't switch to synthetic until it is broken in, around 15k or so.  Don't know how true that is but I waited.

Robo: Thanks for the reply.   Years ago, I'd heard that synthetic oils shouldn't be used on new engines being broken in.  I wondered if that had changed with newer synthetic formulations. 

Answer? Oil consumption would likely not increase with a change to synthetics. However, why change to a more costly oil if the engine is still consuming some oil?

I would use Castrol 20W-50 until the engine stops using oil (a sign that break-in is likely complete) then switch to Mobil1 15w-50.

But, if you still plan to follow the factory recommended OCIs, I would continue to use non-synthetics.

---------------------------------