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Clutch engagement after an oil change

4K views 9 replies 8 participants last post by  GregC 
#1 ·
While I had the tupperware off, and since it's been about 4K miles from the last oil change, I figured I'd flush the old and refill with new.

Used BMW 10w40 - OEM filter, etc...

On my little "checking to make sure she 'aint blown up" test ride before the real fettle-fix test tomorrow, I noticed that the clutch engage point is now much different than before. I imagine this is due to the oil change with it being a wet clutch and all, but exactly why would this happen? Different oil level (it's the same as it was before but may be marginally different?)? Viscocity change from whatever the dealer put in the last time? Something else?

For what it's worth, my clutch used to engage at about the halfway mark of lever travel. After the oil change, it engages right at the very end of travel.

Curious - no biggie, but thought I'd mention it since I didn't find any other posts relating to this.
 
#2 ·
The only time that changing the oil should make a difference in the clutch is if you use an oil containing a Moly additive or other friction modifier, such as PTFE, (not a good thing for wet clutches). I wouldn't think that the BMW oil (synthetic or not) would have any type friction modifier in it, but I have never used it, so I can't say for sure. Check the front of the oil bottle and see if it has one of those leetle environmental stickers on it.
 
#4 ·
grifscoots said:
My clutch has always engaged at the end of travel. Some have complained about it, I like it. A quick fan, a snap of the gear and you're there. Took a leetle getting used to on starts, though.
That is the way mine works, and I also like it. The first couple of days that I had mine, I killed it a few times on starts.
 
#5 ·
A little off topic

I have been reading different things about oils. Your post and others said they use 10-40 weight oil. I know it is in the recommended charts, but I have only ever used 20-50 weight oils in my bikes. This is what the dealer used and recommends me to use. So I guess my question is what is every one running as far as weight type in there bikes?.
Just curious to see how many use the 10-40 compared to 20-50.
My clutch engages in the same place it always has, oil changes and the switch to full synthetic has never had an effect on my clutch engagement other than making it feel and shift smoother..
 
#8 ·
I should have mentioned that I don't mind it either - but I am curious as to why a change has taken place. I wondered about something getting bumped during the airbox re-install too but I can't see that anything bumped would change engagement at all (there's just the line heading around and down to the clutch).
 
#9 ·
You might have dislodged an air bubble in the hydraulics that then worked its way back up to the master cylinder. I'm thinking it might be a good idea if we all flushed the clutch hydraulics. It's easy, and could avoid slipping clutches, moving engage points, etc.
 
#10 ·
Oil makes a huge difference in the behavior of a wet clutch; when you switch to synthetic from dino you'll feel the difference. I suspect this is what you've found.
Greg
 
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