Hi,

Got my first K and doing some regular maintenance.


I read that: Before changing any oil always remove the filler plug first.  The last thing you want is to drain it and then not be able to refill it. This is seldom an issue on K bikes though.


While doing an oil filter change I did not remove the plug first, I removed the oil pan first, then the plug. This was a mistake (as per above) am I up the creek? Not sure I understand why that is so bad? What do I do to fix this?


Thanks

You haven't done anything to fix because you're able to remove the filler cap. If the filler cap were seized after you drained the oil, you wouldn't be riding anywhere until you were able to remove it and replenish the oil. That's what your quote in red type is implying.

Did you actually remove the oil pan to drain the oil, or did you remove the oil filter cover? Did you remove the drain plug, too?

Hi,

Oh great, good news. I get it now. No problem removing any of the nuts or drain plug.

Apologies, it was the oil filter cover, not the pan.

Thanks for reply, much happier now.

Dallas

Bhavatu sabba-mangalam 

Either way its not a problem. 

If you bugger or if the PO has buggered either the sump bolt or the 3 allen bolts on the circular cover for the oil filter you can remove the sump pan, it has I think 9 identical bolts.

The sump an uses sealant, no gasket so a good move is keep some sealant in the shed.

If you do have the sump pan off then clean the oil pick up strainer mesh.

I believe the warning about making sure the filler can come off is for the transmission and the final drive oil changes.  The engine oil filler doesn't normally seize in place.

Because the filler plugs for them are Allen heads, there is the chance that a previous owner rounded out the hex so they can't be removed.  In that case, the unit can't be refilled without a lot of extra work.  

It's a good idea to use a fairly new Allen wrench that is a good fit and that when tightening those filler plugs you avoid going nuts with the torque.  Just snug them up.  They seem to tighten up with time for some reason and can be pretty difficult to loosen.  A little copper anti-seize on the threads helps, too.

Point-Seven-five wrote:....
It's a good idea to use a fairly new Allen wrench that is a good fit and that when tightening those filler plugs you avoid going nuts with the torque.  Just snug them up.  They seem to tighten up with time for some reason and can be pretty difficult to loosen.  A little copper anti-seize on the threads helps, too.

A good idea, but if you are new to BMW maintenance then invest in a set of allen sockets. The little bendy keys will bugger your bolt heads very quickly.

Thanks guys, appreciate the help and guidance.