OEL Gage ????

jimbosbox · 05-30-2003, 07:23 PM

my OEL gage on my 77 911 is not working ? ... . should I drop the oil tank and replace the float? ... is it a big ordeal when I change the Oil ? ... I am a new owner and when I was looking for a 911 many of the OEL gages were dead . the car has a newer (45K) 3.0 .... does this make a diffrence? Also temp runs at 215 deg .... what temp would indicate a problem ....

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

Run the car until it is at it normal operating temperature, remove the oil tank cap and pull out the dipstick. If it is between the two marks the oel level is fine. If it is below the lowest mark, you need to add oel. The oel gauge should indicate the oel level when the engine is hot and there is a correct amount of oel in the tank. If not it might be a bad connection or as you said the float might not be any good.

When the temperature gauge is in the red zone than it too hot and you should stop the car and let it cool down. Also check to see that the fan belt for the fan isn't broken.

andrew15 · 05-30-2003, 07:35 PM

- While its a bit difficult to access, the oil level float can be replaced without dropping the oil tank.
- Keep in mind that the gauge is only accurate under specific circumstances.
- You should get a copy of '101 projects for your Porsche 911' It's authored by Wayne (host of this website) and will be an invaluable asset in the care of your car.

Regards,
Andrew M
ro Being new to the

lateapex911 · 05-30-2003, 07:53 PM

I was under the impression that those guages impressed no-one with their accuaracy.......and most guys take a perverse pleasure in the aquired knowledge required to manually check the level. At least that's what I tell myself, as mine is a bit scitzo sometimes!

jimbosbox · 05-30-2003, 07:56 PM

thanks for the reply .... my 77 has no red zone on the gage just deg marks 210,250 ect .... sounds like a real hassel removing the float with the tank in the car ..... looks like the 101 book will be a must ... I guess mobel 1 is the oil from what I hear ... but very $$ .... what weight do you think I should run in Wa. State were we rust insted of tan.. thanks

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

that's the oil temp guage, not the oil level guage.

Unless there already is synthetic (ie Mobil 1) in the car, stick with regular dino oil. The lore is that switching to synthetic on an older engine is asking for new oil leaks. In SoCal I run 20W50, so maybe in WA 10W40?

RoninLB · 05-30-2003, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jimbosbox

.... sounds like a real hassel removing the float with the tank in the car .....

it's no big deal.. the sender comes with a cork gasket.. order the up-grade rubber gasket with a seperate part number...........Ron

jimbosbox · 05-30-2003, 08:21 PM

good post on the float gasket ... first I will check for power at the tank..Im not sure what oil is in the car now .... so should I switch to mobil1 or what ? ... but what should the car run under nomal 70 deg day ? .... also I hear you on pulling the dip stik first befor reading the OEL gage

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

my oil level guage actually seems pretty accurate. The trick is that you don't get a reading until the engine is at operating temperature and the car sits at level idle for about a minute. But when my needle no longer rises out of the red, I know I'm about a quart low. I double check with the dipstick regularly, but so far the guage actually gives some info.

RoninLB · 05-30-2003, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jimbosbox

... but what should the car run under nomal 70 deg day ? ....

is there a radiator or brass loop under the right front fender?

jimbosbox · 05-30-2003, 08:40 PM

no ... just a set of horns ..?

RoninLB · 05-30-2003, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jimbosbox

no ... just a set of horns ..?

that means there is not a brass loop on the luggage compartment outer wall.. or a small radiator foreward of the tire?? you gotta confirm your last post.............Ron

jimbosbox · 05-30-2003, 09:10 PM

none that I an see .... should there be ??? mabe Im not looking it the right area .... are you talking about an oil cooler ?

RoninLB · 05-30-2003, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jimbosbox
none that I an see .... should there be ??? mabe Im not looking it the right area .... are you talking about an oil cooler ?

if you don't have an oil cooler your limited in exercising the engine.. and a full install is big bucks.. dam.. how about some history on this 911.. like you have a nice engine.. but the install isn't completed.. you got one good thing going for you tonite.. and that's living a few miles away from the best 911 financial manager on this site.. his trade name is Superman.. he stretches nickels into dollars for entertainment..

So, any cougars in your area? I drove by your town last June .............Ron

jimbosbox · 05-30-2003, 09:41 PM

there is alot of paper work on the car and Im not sure of what you talking about ...so ...I should run an oil cooler on this car??..... did a 78/79 3.0 have a front oil cooler ? ...I just need some basic info on keep this car running and learn how to keep the cost down ..I have records on the car from 1980 ...3rd owner ....

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

Your temperature seems okay. Read this previous thread on how hot

Engine Temperature

masraum · 05-31-2003, 07:11 AM

It sounds as if you are combining two different things. Are you having a problem with the oil temp gauge or the oil level gauge?

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by masraum
It sounds as if you are combining two different things. Are you having a problem with the oil temp gauge or the oil level gauge?

He's just a newbie and asked 2 separate questions in the same post.

He wanted to know about the oil level gauge and what temp his car should be running.

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

Replacing the float mechanism for the oil level gauge is not difficult. Just be sure to throughly clean the outside of the tank before removing the old sender. The wires for the oil sending unit work through the right rear taillight assembly harness, so be sure to check the chassis electrical connection that is just inside the engine compartment, right side just below and behind the oil filter. Also, don't over tighten the fasteners that hold the oil sender to the tank.

Good Luck!

Fred Cook
'80 911SC coupe

HarryD · 05-31-2003, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jimbosbox
thanks for the reply .... my 77 has no red zone on the gage just deg marks 210,250 ect .... sounds like a real hassel removing the float with the tank in the car ..... looks like the 101 book will be a must ... I guess mobel 1 is the oil from what I hear ... but very $$ .... what weight do you think I should run in Wa. State were we rust insted of tan.. thanks

Hello,

For oil, I use 20W50, I drive it mostly in the warm months but I never put the car to sleep so on nice winter days, we will go for a ride. I see no problem witht he heavier oil. I am currenlty using Vavloline (what my wrench uses) but I have also used Castrol and the PO used Kendall.

As far as the gauge, my gauge reads in the red zone when I am about 1/2 quart from the min point on the dipstick. Seems pretty reliable.

I also noted your comment about a lack of an external cooler. Are you sure there is nothing in the front passenger fender well and a couple of brass lines going to them from the engine?