newbie question: oil quantity

[motorstereo]

Hello
Newbie question re: my '81 911SC. In the course of the first service post-break in, I drained approx. 10 1/2 liters of oil, from the bottom of the engine and the oil tank, and changed the filter.

I filled the oil tank with 10 liters of oil, and plan on removing the fuel pump relay and cranking the starter for 10-20 seconds to fill the oil filter and circulate the fresh oil before it fires.

I read "fill with 8 or 9 liters then check when hot"-- I'm convinced there's nothing spooky going on, and that draining 10 + liters means I refill with that same quantity (the recommendation for 8 or 9 liters being a caution against overfilling), right? And is it overkill to remove the relay?

thanks
John Lewis
'81 911SC, newly rebuilt 3.0

[manbridge 74]

If you look at the oil circuit you will see that the oil pump is flooded with oil when you fill oil tank. The filter is on the return side so the relay pull and crank is not needed.

I usually put almost all 10 liters in and check it after it’s idled down for about a minute at around 180F. Shoot for keeping level between MIN and MAX marks.

[Flat6pac]

Changing out 10 quarts generally takes care of the situation
You want the warm level of oil toward the middle of the dipstick.
Don’t look for oil on the dipstick cold because at 180+ you pick up two quarts on the dipstick bringing it near the full mark.
Bruce

[Bill Douglas]

I just drop the old oil out of the tank, change the filter to a good quality one (as per what our host sells), drop the new oil in and go. It's a dry sump setup so there is lots of oil in the system, so don't worry too much. Go for a drive then check the level.

Good on you doing this. It's easy, and 911s love fresh oil

[jlex]

In all my cars, when I change the oil, I fill the oil filter with oil before installing it. Helps to circulate the oil at startup IMO...

[manbridge 74]

There is no need to fill the filter on the 911. The return side of oil pump is separate from the pressure side. Oil flow goes from tank, to pump, to moving parts, back to scavenge side of pump, to filter where it dumps into the tank.

[motorstereo]

Manbridge 74-- thanks for the clear and concise explanation, I really appreciate it. This forum has been a godsend for me, I went from knowing nothing about these cars, to deciding I wanted an SC, to figuring out how to do valve adjustment and oil change thanks to our host and the wonderful folks who share their knowledge.

[stlrj]

Originally Posted by manbridge 74

There is no need to fill the filter on the 911. The return side of oil pump is separate from the pressure side. Oil flow goes from tank, to pump, to moving parts, back to scavenge side of pump, to filter where it dumps into the tank.

That was my understanding too and so glad you confirmed it. That's why my 87 has been able to survive on 5 quarts for the last 6 months with plenty of oil pressure, no smoke on startup and zero oil consumption.


Cheers,

Joe
87 Carrera