How warm does oil have to be after change to get accurate reading?

[rs6er]

I know oil changes have been covered ad infinitum, and I’ve been changing my 911SC oil for 40 years, but I’m having a confusing issue. I drained my oil from the oil tank and sump, closed it all up, added 8 quarts of oil, started it up, let it run for a minute and checked the oil with no oil on the dipstick. Then I added 2 more quarts. Still nothing on the dipstick. No oil on the floor anywhere. I have a Terbatrol cooler in the front fender. Could I possibly need to add 12 quarts of oil? Do I need to run it longer to get an accurate reading? Is the thermostat contributing to this. Sorry I didn’t do a lengthy search; I’m on my cell phone because my internet is out, and my old eyes aren’t ideal when searching on my cell.

[midnight911]

The reason the oil has to come to the temp is to let the thermostat open and circulate so that the total oil volume including that in the oil cooler and passages to and from the oil cooler is all accounted for.
My car is 84 carrera so it might be different than a SC, but my guess is that 8 qts is a little less than what you need to reach the dip stick regardless of thermostat state. I usually put a little shy of 10 and start the engine and wait for the thermostat to open. And then I end up adding a little to get a little over the min reading of the dip stick.

[rs6er]

Thank you.I just took it for a drive and now it reads a hair above full. I was going to delete the post , but I couldn't figure out how to do that.

[midnight911]

when in doubt, flat out... is that what happened? great to hear the problem resolved!
yep, i don't think you can delete a post...

[Locker537]

When you say reads "a hair over full", do you mean a hair over the max line on the dipstick?

If so, you may want to drain a little out.

[Coastr]

Doesn’t hurt to measure what came out when it comes to knowing what to put back in. Most drain pans have a measure on them somewhere

[Paulporsche]

You should run the car until the engine temp reads 176 degrees F. Stop the car on a level surface and let the engine idle for 1 minute, Then open the cap and check the dipstick. This is the factory approved method.

BTW many of us like the oil level to be halfway between the low and high hash marks. This is high enough for proper operation but not so high as to blow back up into the airbox.

Note: This applies to 911s through 1977. I think I read somewhere that the "warmed up" temperature for SCs is just slightly higher, something like 194 or so. If your temp gauge does not have a numbered dial, look carefully (or have someone with younger eyes! LOL) look around the edge and you will find very small numbers that you can refer to.

[Joe Bob]

My read....

Watch the oil temp gauge until it gets above half way. It should get there and then drop.....voila your t-stat is open. Drive until you get to flat location. Preferably with hottie bimboes. WHILE STILL RUNNING....

Pull the dip stick and wipe, reinsert and if you get a read a bit under half you are good.....if over, it will burn off after a few steep drive ways.

[GH85Carrera]

If you have the front oil cooler, even a trombone like the SC came with, it is super simple to know when it is hot enough. Stick your hand under the fender on top of the tire, and touch the pipes going the cooler. DON'T just latch onto them, just brush your hand across them. Burns are bad for you skin! If it is HOT feeling, it is plenty warm. If it is still ambient temp, the thermostat has not opened and you need more temp.

[MrBonus]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Preferably with hottie bimboes.

Bad idea. That's a good way to retrieve an inaccurate reading and get your fingers caught in the fan belt.

[ian c2]

Hottie bimboes ????

I thought they didn’t appear until late 3.2 production ?

[GH85Carrera]

Hottie bimbos also can cause instant loss of your 911, and 1/2 of your assets. Very risky to have them around.