Simpleton question

[peridotian]

Cannot get a hold of PO. What oil should I be using in my 3.0L 78 911 SC?

[TerryH]

typically 20w-50w.... lots of it. Have you changed it before on one of these oil slingers? Not like changing on dads Olds.

[peridotian]

Just bought the car, oil is VERY clean, but low as indicated by the gage on dash.

[IROC]

This is a question that has many correct answers. I would offer to just pick your favorite brand name oil in 15W50 or 20W50 weight and live happily ever after.

Dino is fine, sythetic is better.

Mike

[jpnovak]

Yes, 20W50 dino oil is std use. Careful when emptying, lots of oil comes out. don't forget to empty the tank and the engine sump.

Don't overfill. add when the engine is warm and you can measure while engine is running at idle.

[Paulporsche]

W/ engine running and warmed up, the level should be about 1/2 way between the 2 dipstick marks.

[KFC911]

Originally posted by peridotian
Just bought the car, oil is VERY clean, but low as indicated by the gage on dash.

Please search the archives before you add/change any oil...or you're likely to have a mess

ps: the guage on the dash is worthless imo...you have to check via the proper procedure.

pps: Congratulations on your new 911!

[steve911]

Patrick--
As KC911 said, use the dipstick as the primary means of checking the oil level. Oil needs to be good and warmed up (temp gauge at 9 o'clock (or higher)) and the car idling on level ground. I've found that when the oil is not warmed up the dipstick AND the gauge are inaccurate.

I use my dash gauge as a kind of visual reminder since it does react to when the oil starts to get a little low (about a quart down).

Congrats on the new car - and please post pics

[MotoSook]

For your first oil change, make sure the oil is cool (it's OK to let it sit overnight when the weather is warm, the oil will still drain well enough...let it drain...and have a beer).

Until you have seen the oil draining live, you won't believe how fast it can come out of the tank. You do know that there is a case drain and a tank drain right?

Get the largest oil pan they sell as 9-12 quarts will drain out of the system. When you put oil back in, start with 8 quarts (make sure you have drained all the oil!...don't be like a Dealer wrench I heard of that didn't drain the tank, then added the book recommended number of quarts!!!!).

With 8 quarts added, start the engine and let it warm up, then check with the dipstick. Add until you are midway between the marks. Your engine should be running when checking, and it will hunt or drop in idle when you remove the oil filler cap. Don't worry about that, it's the CIS oil tank vent opened to atmosphere. When you put the cap on the tank filler, the engine will return to normal RPM.

Don't drop the dip stick in the tank. Guide it into the tube carrier in the filler neck.

Now, why have oil cold on your first change...it'll drain a little slower and it won't burn you. Slower is better your first time, and if it's hot, you'll get a good burn when you go to try and plug it with the drain plug to slow it down.

Good luck...and used the Mahle filter...don't go cheap in the filter.

I use Castrol 20/50 for above 10 deg. F driving. Your high mileage SC will likely leak with synthetic...just use Dino oil and change it regularly.

[ken_xman]

Yes. Warm, level, and running..... like Steve said!

[na2ub]

The dipstick reads 2 quarts from low to high marks. The dash guage reads 1 quart, low to high (in my experience). Therefore, when the dash guage reads low, the dipstick reads middle. Make sure you check the oil on the dipstick when hot.

Doug

[R Wilco]

I had a great drain pan till I left it in the alley draining into my PC receptacle. I left it over night as it had some previous sludge. I go out the next morning and it's gone. So I hunt around town and find this great 12 quart heavey plastic job. I usually warm the car up for a minute or so to get the majority in back in the tank. I pull the plug and didn't realize the hole in the middle of the new receptacle was to small. I felt like the monkey trying to stick the cork back in the pigs ass. Oh well.

[cbeers]

Oil Pan:

The best tip I have seen so far, is to go to Home Depot (or whatever store you have access to) and go to the masonry section. For about $4 you can buy a huge pan, with tall sides that can hold way more oil than your flat 6. Plus, there is no hole in the middle to restrict flow. Even better is that is is wide / long enough that you can actually drain BOTH the sump and tank at the same time. Have to drink your beer faster though


It also doubles as a parts washer.....


-Chris

[Wavey]

Also get in the habit of letting the engine idle for a minute before your shut it off. If the oil level is correct you'll see the gauge come up. Letting it idle will lower the oil level in the crankcase and raise it in the tank, and you will avoid the puff of smoke on cold startup.

[no substitute]

Don't know if anyone said this, but if your dash gauge is somewhere in the middle you're probably okay. Dipstick check is best. If you're worried about being a quart or even two low and harming the engine, don't be. It's not like having a five quart car and being down half your oil.

[K. Roman]

Has anyone used 10W40?

[gsxrken]

I just got burned with a new drain pan as per above. My old one develloped a crack, so I bought one with the covered top and a hole in the middle. (This way I'm thinking one of kids can't step in the oil that I haven't instantly put away.) Of course, as mentioned above, the damn hole is too small to stay ahead of the volume of scalding oil that issues from the tank. And even if it could, the closed top serves to splash the first blast of oil all over the place. I want my old pan back!!!

[randywebb]

you will want to flush the brake fluid an dchange the rubber brake hoses

also change the trans. oil.

if the engine oil looks very clean and is pretty new, you could just wait 2,000 miles...