Oil level makes no sense

[moazam]

I just checked my oil level via the dipstick after running the car for about 20 minutes.

I made sure the car was on level ground, and the engine was running at idle. My oil level gauge seems to be pretty low , almost touching the red area, if not slightly touching already. The Druck Press shows 3.5-5 bar without too much issue when driving the car.

Now then, the dipstick shows that I'm almost at minimum oil level! What gives? I had the oil changed less than 600-800 miles ago and my garage area shows 0 fluid drippage *anywhere*.

Soooo...what's going on? Oh...the dipstick oil leaves a yellowish stain on the napkin when I checked it...not sure if that is normal or not.

[126coupe]

Never rely on the gauge! You need to drive the car and get it to operating temp then check the oil w the dip stick w the engine running on level ground. Depending on the engine and oil coolers it probably holds 9-12 quarts of oil. that oil level gauge that porsche invented was a blunder, but then they still are the best engineered cars in the world bar none

[moazam]

Originally posted by Minkoff
Never rely on the gauge! You need to drive the car and get it to operating temp then check the oil w the dip stick w the engine running on level ground. Depending on the engine and oil coolers it probably holds 9-12 quarts of oil. that oil level gauge that porsche invented was a blunder, but then they still are the best engineered cars in the world bar none

I know, but that's what I did....and the dipstick shows the oil is kinda low. I have no leaks, and oil change was done only 600-800 miles ago. So why is the dipstick showing such a low oil level?

[126coupe]

If it shows on the dip stick then dont worry you wont blow er up. add 1 quart and check again if you mid range on the dip sick your OK Dont overfill............

[moazam]

Ok...I'll add a quart in the morning and take her out for another 20 minute run.

[brawlins]

Did you do your own oil change? If not, maybe they didn't fill it to the level you like. I like to keep mine midway between low bar and high bar.
You didn't say how many miles were on your engine. Before my rebuild, I'd burn a quart every 600-800 miles.

[moazam]

Originally posted by brawlins
Did you do your own oil change? If not, maybe they didn't fill it to the level you like. I like to keep mine midway between low bar and high bar.
You didn't say how many miles were on your engine. Before my rebuild, I'd burn a quart every 600-800 miles.

172k on a strong running engine. Never done a rebuild. Mechanics have looked at it at 170k miles, and 172k miles, both said the engine was in great condition.

[126coupe]

any blue smoke on de acceleration to acceleration?, Valve Guides?? Rings??

[moazam]

I was getting a small amount of smoke from the exhaust when the car first starts up in the morning, but nothing major. I installed a SteveW chip yesterday and have noticed more of a 'smell' yesterday and more smoke than normal. I'm working with SteveW on that issue and that should be resolved soon, either with a new chip or some other way. This is what got me wondering and made me check the oil, etc.

I had a valve adjustment done about 600-800 miles away and the mechanic said everything was perfect.

Oh, as for *blue* smoke...I don't really know. I can't see the color from the smoke today, but the smoke I usually get (before the chip) is not blue.

[masraum]

The red zone means it is a quart or two low which doesn't really mean diddly when you've normally got 13.

Sounds like you've got nothing to worry about, completely normal. And different levels of warmness can make a huge difference in the oil level.

[moazam]

Originally posted by SoCal911SC
172K miles, you probably are burning some oil, and a quart (or more) in 600-800 miles wouldn't be out of the ordinary at all.

Sooo...should I add a quart every 600-800 miles then?

[cantdrv55]

Hey Moazam,

Can't find my notes right now from the Woods/Anderson class we took but I think they said not to pay any attention to the oil level guage as it's meaningless. Instead keep your eye on druck pressure - the higher the better. Also, all Carreras burn oil and the factory wouldn't or couldn't say how much is too much. I think 1 quart per 1k miles is about right but am not sure. My wife's Carrera burns 1 quart per 800 miles and the PPI gave it a clean bill of health so I'm not worried and I don't think you should either.

Chris

[nostatic]

I don't know about your guys, but my oil level guage works perfectly. After a few oil changes and checks, I can predict what the dipstick will indicate based on the guage.

Doesn't mean I won't keep checking at the engine, but the guage works fine.

[Mike Kast]

Since it hasn't been stated yet forgive me for saying the obvious. From the factory our air cooled 911 were said to burn on average 1 quart per 1000 miles. Some people claim to burn much less but 1 quart per 1000 seems to be fairly typical. How closely do you track your oil consumption and your oil levels? Could it be it was a half of a quarter quart lower than what it should have been at the last oil change?
Keep a log and see if your oil consumption changes or if its a little better than you think. Right off the bat I wouldn't be extremely concerned. If it is burning a quart every 600 miles, that is excessive. 170,000 miles is fair distance.

[Mike Kast]

Mine works well too Mr nostatic

[moazam]

Originally posted by cantdrv55
Instead keep your eye on druck pressure - the higher the better.
Chris

Yeah, my druck pressure is nice and high. After adding the SteveW chip, the car has been a dream to drive, instant power on tap, very nice. Wierd thing is the smell started after the SteveW chip was added and that's what had gotten me worried and made me notice the possible extra smoke.

So for now, my plan of action is to start logging my oil consumption, add 1 quart tomorrow, keep running the car with the current SteveW chip for about a week. If I still get this smell and maybe more smoke, I'll probably have to get SteveW to get me a slightly different coded chip. Hopefully that won't happen because I'm really enjoying this chip.

[Eric Coffey]

Also, different oils will have different burn-off rates. If you changed brands or types, that could explain the sudden rise in consumption. I have noticed that synthetic (Mobil 1) oil burns off noticeably quicker than most dino oil as well. The extra protection, lower internal drag/friction, and longer service intervals are worth it to me though.

[moazam]

Originally posted by Eric Coffey
Also, different oils will have different burn-off rates. If you changed brands or types, that could explain the sudden rise in consumption.

Well, the PO used Valvoline Turbo. I just had the oil change when I bought the car and my mechanic used some oil (dino, I'm sure), which I can't pronounce, nor remember. Something with an R I think...I'll check tomorrow, he put an extra quart bottle in the front just in case.

I bought the car at about 170k miles and have put on another 2k miles after that, so I haven't had it long enough to log oil consumption, etc.

[K-Jetronic]

My oil level gauge works fine as well, no problems when the engine is on temp. and I let it run on idle for a few minutes and then check the oillevel on the stick it is exactly the same as on the gauge. Strange though Porsche fitted a level gauge and then tell you not to use it?

Regards,

Gerko
911sc 78

[dickster]

make sure the frnt cooler is hot before you check the level,