Oil sight window replacement

fanman415 · 04-02-2011, 09:11 PM

I have an extremely cloudy oil sight window which has developed a slight weeping of oil. I have heard of these things popping out and creating an extremely dangerous situation if one happens to be riding the bike at the time. Has anybody ever replaced one of these and how do I get it out?? Is there a special tool I need?

Thanks for any help or suggestions

rexmitchell · 04-02-2011, 10:27 PM

Good luck I didn't even know that they could be replaced , please keep us updated if you make progress

CookinBeans · 04-03-2011, 01:13 AM

Maybe I'm too Old Fart -uh... SCHOOL- but I never heard fo a BMW with a sight window. They all have dipsticks as far as I know.

In any event- get a manual. If that doesn't instruct you, find a model-specific forum if the dealer won't tell you.

argulas · 03-07-2012, 06:34 PM

My K100 has a slight leak around the sight glass, I'd be interested to know how it's done. Have you bought a new glass and if so, where?

fanman415 · 03-08-2012, 08:14 AM

I did replace it. I bought a new one (2actually so I now have a spare) and did the replacement myself. Getting the old one out was a bit of a bear but not to bad. I ended up punching a hole in the plastic with a pair of needle nose pliers and then reaching in with the needle nose and grabbing the metal plate and levering it out. The new ones have glass not plastic and you have to be very careful putting it back in. I used a socket the same size as the exterior ring and tapped it into place using a small deadblow mallet. A little tricky but doable.
Be careful about getting any plastic inside the motor. The old plastic ones clouded up as a result of heat inside the motor so if you ever even come close to overheating it can pop out, a very bad situation. I took the proactive approach and replaced mine as soon as I noticed the issue.Good luck!!
Happy Motoring!!

argulas · 03-08-2012, 08:19 AM

Where did you get the new ones?

fanman415 · 03-08-2012, 10:31 AM

BMW dealer Max Bmw great website with parts fiche by model/year and they are very helpful on the phone they know all about this problematic part. Cost around 30 bucks.

jhawk · 03-19-2012, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CookinBeans

Maybe I'm too Old Fart -uh... SCHOOL- but I never heard fo a BMW with a sight window. They all have dipsticks as far as I know.
.

On my 2007 R1200R - no dipstick - the sight glass is at the front left corner of the crankcase

detbmw · 09-02-2012, 04:54 PM

The oil sight glasses are back in stock now. Check with any BMW dealer.

BoxerBamR100 · 10-16-2012, 01:45 PM

I once had to replace the view window of a brake master cylinder on an old Honda. It was a handlebar mount. I noticed it was foggy, like you said yours was. I press checked it with my finger and it caved in--brake fluid everywhere. I found a replacement for less than a dollar. Easy fix.

04-02-2011, 09:11 PM	#1
fanman415 Verified Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Near Boston Posts: 15	Oil sight window replacement I have an extremely cloudy oil sight window which has developed a slight weeping of oil. I have heard of these things popping out and creating an extremely dangerous situation if one happens to be riding the bike at the time. Has anybody ever replaced one of these and how do I get it out?? Is there a special tool I need? Thanks for any help or suggestions

04-02-2011, 10:27 PM	#2
rexmitchell Administrator Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: THE ATX Posts: 14,552	Good luck I didn't even know that they could be replaced , please keep us updated if you make progress __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. You may all go to Hell, and I will go to Texas. - Davy Crockett

10-16-2012, 01:45 PM	#10
BoxerBamR100 Verified Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 15	oil view window I once had to replace the view window of a brake master cylinder on an old Honda. It was a handlebar mount. I noticed it was foggy, like you said yours was. I press checked it with my finger and it caved in--brake fluid everywhere. I found a replacement for less than a dollar. Easy fix.

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04-03-2011, 01:13 AM	#3
CookinBeans Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Asheville Posts: 1,045	Maybe I'm too Old Fart -uh... SCHOOL- but I never heard fo a BMW with a sight window. They all have dipsticks as far as I know. In any event- get a manual. If that doesn't instruct you, find a model-specific forum if the dealer won't tell you.

03-07-2012, 06:34 PM	#4
argulas Motorcyclist Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 9	My K100 has a slight leak around the sight glass, I'd be interested to know how it's done. Have you bought a new glass and if so, where?

03-08-2012, 08:14 AM	#5
fanman415 Verified Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Near Boston Posts: 15	I did replace it. I bought a new one (2actually so I now have a spare) and did the replacement myself. Getting the old one out was a bit of a bear but not to bad. I ended up punching a hole in the plastic with a pair of needle nose pliers and then reaching in with the needle nose and grabbing the metal plate and levering it out. The new ones have glass not plastic and you have to be very careful putting it back in. I used a socket the same size as the exterior ring and tapped it into place using a small deadblow mallet. A little tricky but doable. Be careful about getting any plastic inside the motor. The old plastic ones clouded up as a result of heat inside the motor so if you ever even come close to overheating it can pop out, a very bad situation. I took the proactive approach and replaced mine as soon as I noticed the issue.Good luck!! Happy Motoring!!

03-08-2012, 08:19 AM	#6
argulas Motorcyclist Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 9	Where did you get the new ones?

03-08-2012, 10:31 AM	#7
fanman415 Verified Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Near Boston Posts: 15	BMW dealer Max Bmw great website with parts fiche by model/year and they are very helpful on the phone they know all about this problematic part. Cost around 30 bucks.

09-02-2012, 04:54 PM	#9
detbmw Newbie Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 3	The oil sight glasses are back in stock now. Check with any BMW dealer.