omak....I had asked the same question on the board. My manual never shows anywhere to oil my 2048 quilt expression so I oiled the bobbin case like I always did on my little cheap Brother that I had and it was only $99 but it ran really good, but anyway after oiling my Phaff, I contacted a dealer and told him, that I oiled my Phaff and he liked to had a fit. He told me to bring it to him immediatly for service. He said too like you, that it is designed to self oil itself, not to ever oil it or you will ruin your machine. Anyway, mine ran better and so far, I have not had a problem with it at all. I never did take it to the dealer, but I am not gonna oil it anymore either. :)