possibly stupidest questions ever

[getluky]

I've been debating whether to ask, but I guess i'm not afraid to be embarrased if it will help my car out.

I'm worried about the oil level and would like to use the dip stick to check the oil.

Unfortunately for me, I have no idea where the dip stick and corresponding oil tube/cap are. There's a yellow cap on the right side of the engine, and there's also what appears to be an oil opening next to the gas opening on the driver's side front. I checked the bentley manual, searched through the forums, and searched on google, but it seems like everybody just assumes that I know where these things are and how to use them.

My first question is, where is the dip stick? I saw a few photos of it but haven't found it yet. It doesn't seem to say in the Bentley manual either. I assume i just push it all the way down until it hits the top of the loop?

My second question is, where is the oil cap that I need to remove to check the level? How do I remove it, is it a pull-off or a twist-off? (I didn't want to break the yellow cap if it wasn't a twist-off, but it wasn't opening easily.)

My third question is, where do I add oil if it is necessary?

I think i've got the rest of the details -
* check oil on a flat surface while idling on a warmed-up engine,
* aim for a dipstick measurement between the two bars.
* if I need to add oil, add it a 1/2 quart at a time.
* use 20/50 oil

I feel like a moron for asking this, but I guess it's obvious that i'm new at this Porsche maintenance stuff. So far, it's been completely different from my civic in about every way possible.

Thanks for helping a complete newbie!

[masraum]

The dipstick should be under the yellow cap on the right side of the engine compartment. There should be a small ~1/4" round tube under the cap, and the dipstick goes in the tube.

The small cap next to the gas cap is for the windshield washer fluid. Don't put your oil there.

The Yellow cap is twist off with regular threads, but can be tight.

Add oil into the neck that the yellow cap screws onto.

The only stupid question is the one that you don't ask that costs you thousands of dollars in repairs later. Better to ask and be sure than not.

[jorian]

Getlucky,

Embarrasment is cheaper than running out of oil. The yellow cap is indeed the oil filler. The dipstick is inside. Twist off and you'll see it. Get the motor up to 180 degree operating temparture and check the oil level with the motor running. With air cooled cars the oil level will look low when cold. (Ask me how I know )

Good luck.

[lally911]

oil filler on right (passenger side) of engine compartment, probably the big yellow cap you are seeing. Dip stick is inside and is easy to drop in to the oil resevoir :-) so be careful putting it back in. Add oil here as well. Hole next to gas cap is for windshield washer fluid. Oil filter is also on right side near filler cap.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Actually, if you're comiong to a Porsche 911 without any previous experience with these cars, your questions make perfect sense, because the 911's oil-sensing system is unique.

That cap on the right side of your engine--and it is a counterclockwise twist-off cap--leads down to the oil tank, and just inside it is the dipstick. 911s have oil tanks because unlike 99.9 percent of all other cars on the road (other than racecars, that is), they store their oil not in the sump of the engine--what most people call "the oil pan," down at the bottom of the engine--but in a separate tank. they have what is called a "dry sump" oil system, meaning the oil continually courses through the engine but the reservoir for all that oil is separate from the engine and the sump is "dry"--not literally dry, but there's only a little oil in it when you stop the car.

To use a 911's dipstick--and this is where it gets a little complicated--there have to be certain conditions met. If, as on a Chevy or Ford, you just pull out the dipstick any old time when the engine is shut off, the reading you'll get is utterly meaningless. There could be no oil on it, lots of oil on it...means nothing.

To use the dipstick, 1/the engine has to be actually running, but only at idle speed (750-850 rpm). 2/The oil has to have reached "operating temperature," which is generally considered to be 180 degrees, or the first mark up on your oil-temp gauge. And 3/the car has to be parked on a level surface. Any variations in the above will make the dipstick reading literally meaningless.

You add oil through the same pipe that the dipstick is in.

Oh, and the "oil opening" next to the gas cap is for the windshield-washer fluid. Do not put oil into it. Ever. Never. None. Not at all.

Two questions:

1/Do you know how to use the oil-level gauge on the instrument panel?

2/Are you putting me on?

Stephan

[TerryH]

There is, without a doubt, a major learning curve with these cars. I became a first time owner last year and I'm thankful for this forum with all the knowledgable folks willing to share their widsom.

I was lucky to find the dipstick as it was under the cap that said 710. When I put the cap back on it said OIL.

[Jesset100]

I hear that sometimes people miss the dip stick holder and the dip stick falls into the tank. Something to think about.

[carnutzzz]

Owner's manual?

[brcorp]

And I thought you were going to ask about antifreeze.....

[getluky]

Thanks for your replies and for not making fun of me!

Stephan - I'm definitely not putting you on - i'm a programmer / IT kind of guy, so i'm very detail oriented, but when it comes to cars, I totally missed the boat. I'm already learning a lot by reading stuff here, but I always feel in over my head. It's usually the "basics" that trip me up, but I hope to get better at this stuff as time goes on.

Whew, I'm glad I didn't use the windshield washer port for oil. What sent me down that path were the two stickers on the inside of the gas panel that seem to talk about 91 octane gas and something about oil.

And regarding the oil level gauge, at first, it totally confused me and I thought it was broken. It seems to always be in the red, even though I had my mechanic do a complete oil change less than 500 miles ago along with various other major service things. He also replaced two main oil lines that were leaking, and I never notice any oil dripping onto the floor, so i'm hoping there's no leaks.

After reading about the wacky behavior of the oil level gauge, I realized I wasn't reading it properly. I understand a little bit more about it, but i'm still concerned that it's broken, because i've noticed it seems to always read in the red except for random moments.

I definitely don't want to run out of oil, so i'm glad you guys were able to give good advice. I'll check it tonight. Thanks!

[jorian]

The oil guage is essentially worthless. Mine hops all around too. The only way to get a proper read is at the dipstick.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

The only reason I asked if you were putting me on is that occasionally a 14-year-old--or whatever--poster decides to have fun with us and says he can't find the engine even though he "opened the hood..." And a few naifs spend too much time explaining that it's in the back.

Anyway, as for the oil-level gauge--and in my initial 911 days I did exactly what you did, thinking it was either broken or I was out of oil--be aware that the gauge follows the exact same rules the dipstick does: unless the car is on a level surface, at idle,with the oil warm, the oil-level gauge reading is totally irrelevant. During all of your normal driving, it will show disaster-red readings. The ONLY time it will be meaningful during active driving is if you come to a stoplight and have to sit there for at least a minute, at idle, with the engine warm. Then you'll see the needle slowly creep up to a meaningful reading. And if it doesn't, you're too low on oil.

Most 911 people use the level gauge as a secondary source--a very useful one, but subject to who knows what gremlins--and the properly used dipstick as the primary source, since it's analogue, physical and dependable.

I hope you've seen from what everybody has posted in response to your initial question that this is a group of people who actively want to help you whatever your level of initial knowledge. Welcome!

Stephan

[masraum]

Originally posted by getluky
i'm a programmer

Well that explains a lot!

Just kidding. Programming to me is kind of like being a cop or in the military. I'm glad there's someone around that wants to do it because I don't, but we do need you. I'm an IT kind of guy too, but I'm a data/router/VoIP/Cisco kind of guy, completely different.

My gauge worked perfectly, but you have to check the gauge exactly as you'd check the dipstick, hot, idling, on level ground. When my dipstick said the oil was halfway between the two marks the oil gauge said the same.

[Kraftwerk]

Finally! Someone asked a question I know the answer to. Welcome to the board! In addition to all that good advice above. I would add, In my case it takes a good 45 min. for my engine to warm up enough to get an accurate reading . After driving for 45 min or so stop and check it. It helps to carry a funnel with a flexible hose at the end so you can add oil easily. I keep mine double wrapped in two plastic bags. Also the gauge on the dash is not working check the contacts of the oil sender on the oil tank, access at right rear wheel-well. A little sand paper on the contacts cleans up this typically dirty area. My dash gauge now corresponds exacly with the dipstick.
There was a time not too long ago when I didn't know anything about all this either...
Also, most owners keep the oil level at the halfway mark between the two lines, the
'High' and 'Low' marks on the dip stick. Over filling the thing is a big No-No.
P.S. get the book: 101 projects for your 911" if you haven't already.

[Kraftwerk]

"I was lucky to find the dipstick as it was under the cap that said 710. When I put the cap back on it said OIL."

Ha!

[hgray]

One other thing.... when you remove the oil tank cap, you will notice that the engine begins to stumble a little... which is normal. Make sure the oil cap is put on tight again, or the engine will contine to run rough. (ask me how I know!!!!)

[Steve87-911]

Originally posted by TerryH
I was lucky to find the dipstick as it was under the cap that said 710. When I put the cap back on it said OIL.

That is the funniest thing I've heard all day. Ha!

getluky said: "i'm a programmer / IT kind of guy, so i'm very detail oriented, but when it comes to cars, I totally missed the boat. "

Just do some research and a 911 will seem like a piece of cake compared to some of the convoluted and complex software we often deal with.

Kraftwerk said: "Also the gauge on the dash is not working check the contacts of the oil sender on the oil tank, ... A little sand paper on the contacts cleans up this typically dirty area. My dash gauge now corresponds exacly with the dipstick."

Well, I learn something every day. Maybe I'll try that so I can stop ignoring my guage.

[450knotOffice]

quote:
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Originally posted by TerryH
I was lucky to find the dipstick as it was under the cap that said 710. When I put the cap back on it said OIL.
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I guess I'm not the only one who laughed out loud all alone in an empty house when I read this. I think my dog thinks I'm nuts.

-Scott