Oil level when cold

[S4drifter]

Stupid newbie question, but should the dipstick be dry when engine is cold?

I know you are supposed to check the engine oil at operating temp, but I just had major service done. And i am concerned about the oil level. There is still too much salt on the roads still to take it out for a proper drive to get it up to temperature (I flat bedded the car for service).

Also, if they screwed the pooch and forgot to refill the oil, I do not want to start the car. Looking for a way to get some peace of mind about the car's oil contents before starting.

Any help would be appreciated.

The car is an 87 turbo.

[Rot 911]

Originally posted by S4drifter
Stupid newbie question, but should the dipstick be dry when engine is cold?

Yes, which is why when someone checks the oil when the engine is cold, they end up overfilling the oil tank.

[TerryH]

I find the question interesting... maybe because I'm a greenhorn here too.

If the stick is dry, do you start your car and listen for rods clanking to discover your crankcase is completely dry? Could a longer dipstick be fashioned to check further into the sump to hit oil and peace of mind?

S4 stated his car was towed both ways, so I believe he is concerned if there is "any" oil in the sump. I imagine pulling the drain plug could be messy.

[emcon5]

Unplug the CDI box, and engage the starter. After a few cranks, the oil pressure light should go out, and the druck press will rise.

Another option would be to use something longer than the dip stick in the tank, like a coathanger, to see if it comes back oily.

The car certainly was driven by the shop, even if just in and out of the service bay. If they forgot to put oil in, the damage has been done, and they are aware of it.

Tom

[Luke Hudson]

Guys you have a dry sump car. The dip stick doesn't go into the crankcase it goes into the oil tank, which is above the crankcase and attached by 2 large hoses.

When the engine is not running the oil is not being circulated by the pump and as such through the process of gravity falls to the lowest point, which is the crank case, hence no oil on your dipstick.

If you're not sure if there's any oil in the car, i.e. it just turned up on a trailer then turn the engine over a few times with the oil tank top off and you'll see the oil being pumped up.

(braces for flaming, as this is based on early 911's not 87 turbos, although i can't imagine porsche regressed to a wet sump system)

[S4drifter]

Thanks guys.

[ruf-porsche]

Originally posted by TerryH
I find the question interesting... maybe because I'm a greenhorn here too.

Could a longer dipstick be fashioned to check further into the sump to hit oil and peace of mind?

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The dipstick is NOT in the sump. The dipstick is in the OIL TANK.
Your are measuring thye level of the oil in the oil tank after it is pump out of the sump.

These engine have what is commonly referred to as dry sump oil system.

Start the engine and if you don't see oil pressure on the gauge, immediately shut down the engine. The oil gauge is to tell you if you have pressure. If you have pressure warm up the engine and do the normal check for oil level at the OIL TANK.

[ChrisBennet]

In the interest of completeness, note that the oil is checked with the motor running.
Oil should be at the mid mark, when it gets to around the bottom, then you put in another quart. You don't keep it "topped off."
The dipstick only measures a little bit at the top of the tank (like sticking your finger in the top of a milk jug to see how full it is) so you've got plenty of oil when the stick shows "empty."
These cars are different enough from normal machinery that getting/reading the manual is a good idea.
-Chris

[jdowty3]

Start the car, as Tom said, your oil (druck) pressure will go up to 4 or 5 and the idoit light should goes out within seconds. If no oil pressure, shut the motor down and call the shop.
Let it idle until it gets warm, which may take a while in cold weather, but it will get warm enough to check the oil.

[Kraftwerk]

The shop should have a record or your bill should say how many quarts you paid for, 'bout twelve quarts. If there is in fact oil in the car take it for a drive 35-45 min (if you can find a salt free road) You should check the oil when the engine is completly warmed up and running at idle. Chris is right, it will tell you how to do this in the manual or on pages 19-20 in 101 Projects....

[Wil Ferch]

Luke Hudson says:

(braces for flaming, as this is based on early 911's not 87 turbos, although i can't imagine porsche regressed to a wet sump system)

Ahh...yep ....look at a 996 !

---Wil Ferch

[kqw]

I agree with JDowty3....Start the car and check your Druck reading. If you uncomfortable with doing this, you can get under the car and loosen you oil crank case bolt (with an oil pan underneath) and if oil flows out, you have no issue. If it trickles be suspect.

Make sure to replace the drained oil before restarting the car and topping off.

[kach22i]

Originally posted by jdowty3
your oil (druck) pressure will go up to 4 or 5 and the idoit light should goes out within seconds.

I just picked my car up from the shop, the meter stayed down in the red zone for what seemed to be a couple of minutes or more.

My first though was, I told them it was a quart low when I brought it in, did they top it off or not?

I tried to check the oil level cold, but running like a duffus. By the time I checked and re-checked the level 3 or 4 times, it rose on the stick, but was smeering and hard to read.

The pressure level did rise but not as you described. I will keep a close eye on the light, I think that did go off right away.

Should I be concerened?

What else should I look for before I consider taking it back?

FYI: The car has only a few hundred miles on it since the recent chain tersioner upgrade, 1977 911S, 2.7L.

[Wil Ferch]

That's waht Porsche says in their "official" answer at this cost-reducing and more "integrated" move....if you look closely , it's simply a baffled wet sump...

---Wil Ferch