New Porsche Owner - Please Help

[sobodave]

My father-in-law gave me his old 1983 Porsche 911 SC. I am interested in learning how to work on cars, my only car experience is changing oil on my daily driver, but I am already confused by the oil change on this car. Please help with these questions:

1) I drained the oil out and there didn't seem to be as much oil as I expected (the owner's manual says 10 liters) - there was a fair amount of oil, but it didn't seem like 10 liters. I let the oil drain out for over an hour and warmed the car up beforehand.

2) I went to add the 10 liters of oil back into the car that the owner's manual says the car takes and after 6 liters, the oil seemed to be going in more slowly and I used the dipstick and it seemed to say that it was overfull with oil (although the car wasn't warm or started at this point, which the owner's manual says you should do).

Why would it seem that the car is already overfull of oil? Does starting the car make the level on the dipstick go down? (I know the owner's manual says the best test is with the engine running....but I was afraid I had screwed up and was afraid to start the car).

A second question is, it seems to be hard to get the oil filter out...does that hose that is in the way have to come off first?

I am embarrassed I am such a newbie, but you have to start somewhere!

Thanks for your help.

[nestorjw]

Try doing a search for oil change. Also, there is a sump and an oil tank drain on your car. you must drain both! If you run a search you will find full details of how to properly do the change and avoid overfilling

Jeff

[Bill Verburg]

Did you drain both the sump and the tank?

or

just the sump?

[Don Plumley]

Did you add in the new oil before changing the filter?

[livi]

How is it working out ? You get the answers you needed to solve the mystery ?

If not, fire away! Being a newbie myself I can´t be of much help around here in most cases.

But oil change is one of those rare jobs I do handle rather well, if I say so myself.

And BTW, welcome to the forum!

[sobodave]

Thanks....I only drained one thing...not two. That was the problem.

[Wil Ferch]

No..there was more of a problem I'm afraid to say...the fact that you *thought* you could check the oil with a dipstick when the car is "off".

You even mention that you read the owners manual which says to check the oil when the engine is running. Core question...why didn't you follow the manual ??

hint #1.....read and *believe* the factory information...it's there for a reason !!

A dry sump engine is unlike any other "street" car you're likely to encounter, which typically has a "wet" sump. Only "Wet" sumps can be checked with the engine off !!

Don't mean to sound harsh, and I've been rightfully accused of this...but please understand this car and engine is not like any other car on the road.

That's why we love them so much !! ...

- Wil

[sobodave]

Wil,

Like I said...I was afraid to turn the car on if there was too much oil in it...can't you damage the engine by having it overfull? It turns out the oil is overfull...I didn't know that you had to drain two drains....

Thanks.

[ZOA NOM]

Originally posted by sobodave
My father-in-law gave me his old 1983 Porsche 911 SC.

You spoiled little brat. (dripping with jealousy)

Welcome to the madness. Bring a thick skin with you, and always give the benefit of the doubt when judging a poster in here. There are a very small few who can be pricks, but the overwhelming majority, regardless of their diction, are more than helpful, and way more knowledgeable than even your Porsche Dealer's mechanic.

[Zeke]

Originally posted by sobodave
Wil,

Like I said...I was afraid to turn the car on if there was too much oil in it...can't you damage the engine by having it overfull? It turns out the oil is overfull...I didn't know that you had to drain two drains....

Thanks.

Wil may have jumped on you a little hard. He is not like that all the time. Anyone can make stupid mistakes around an unfamiliar car and I've made my share. His point is well taken, though. He is only trying to prevent you from going ahead blindly with anything else until you spend some time learning the car.

This site has a whole bunch of technical articles that can help and the host has written a book titled "101 Projects for Your Porsche 911." Get one of those.

You can find the tech articles by going to the home page and looking at the menu on the left. The link is near the top.

BTW, you did smart by not starting the car overfilled. You have a plan for correcting that? Start over, is what I'd do since you have new and old oil mixed now.

[Wil Ferch]

As to your question whether or not damage can occur on an overfill:

You can *conceivably" hydrolock the engine and cause damage, but truth-be-known... I haven't actually heard this happening. The overfill ...if minor...finds its way to the air intake system via a hose or tubing to the intake system, and can sometimes gum up the air meter.

Best to drain all out, and start over. Collect all the oil coming out into clean, 1 gallon, clear plastic milk jugs....once you're done you will "see" exactly what came out...and you'll have less chance of too much going back in. Good to get in this habit ( although optional) during routine oil changes too.

A search will reveal these things. Proper oil level is determined ONLY when :
- car is level,
- oil is up to temp of about 190 degF,
- and engine is idling around 800-900 rpm.

If the car was warmed up before the drain, expect 6-7 qts to come from the oil tank, and 3-4 qts from the engine block. If drained cold, the numbers will be close to reversed, since more drained back down into the engine case ( where there is NO dipstick... the stick measures the TANK level !).

If your car has a front fender mount oil cooler, the total system capacity will be close to 13 qts. Only 10 qts total will be part of the change-out...almost 3 qts always stays behind ( don't freak..it's normal). Add 8 qts...run the engine until up to temp...add more only if needed and slowly thereafter.

Also, the oil level gauge only works during this idling/at level ground period. You will see (again..don't freak) the level gauge dropping REAL LOW into the RED zone while you're driving. Normal, ...since the moment you speed up the engine to even 1200 rpm or so, you'll notice a drop in the measured level in the tank.

Good luck !!

- Wil

[Jack Olsen]

Overfilling the oil is almost a rite of passage for new 911 owners, so don't beat yourself up.

Unless you know how much below full the oil is before you drain it, never replace more than you've removed. It's easy to add more, once you've got a fix on how much you need. It can be a big pain in the neck to remove excess, especially if it ends up in the airbox and intake.

Unlike wet sump cars, a 911 can run just fine at idle when it is several quarts low on oil. I believe the spec is that it can run with only four total quarts so long as the engine doesn't exceed 4000 rpm -- although I don't think I'd put enough faith in my memory to actually test that out.

Get Wayne Dempsey's "101 Projects for your 911" book to get a jump start on many of the peculiarities of your new car.

[Grady Clay]

Dave,

Let me reinforce the sincere welcome. The stuff you
are learning today, you will pass on to the next new
911 owner with a fresh perspective. We are all here
to help each other.

One of the things you will find unique to this Forum
is the ability and willingness for everyone to state
things correctly. I post something in error at least
once per month. There is this wonderful feature
called an “Edit” button that allows me to post the
error acknowledgement and the correction.

Most of my posts try and answer the question at
hand but also provide the detail for the wider
issues that someone might search on. When you
see someone posting far more detail than necessary,
they aren’t being condescending to the questioner,
just providing archival information.

Additionally our host has a “Search” function.
Understanding how that works and the “key
words” is critical for the efficient use of the Forum’s
extensive archives.

BTW, Please post some images of your “new” 911.

Best,
Grady

[Rick V]

Ok now that we have gotten over the oil delema I have one question, Where is the required pic of the car? You must post a pic or recieve the scathing wrath of the...................................oh hell lets see the car man

[ja78911sc]

Don't forget to purchase an oversize oil pan - most auto part stores carry a 15qt. Make sure you remove the drain cap on the pan. That was my oil change mistake. I am sure you know what the outcome was. Welcome!!!

[jorian]

Overfilled mine the first time out.

[ZOA NOM]

Oh, and get a cool avatar!

[Kevin Stewart]

I cant believe you didnt post a picture, whats up with that, new guy new car no picture what the fuch

[DohertyCM]

I overfilled mine also. But I thought I had it right until I really stepped on the gas and got a backwash of oil right into the breather. Oil went down the CIS intake system and boy did that thing smoke!

When you get you manuals, You really need to pay attention to them and go back to earlier models if you have a question on how things are done...sometimes the newer manuals dont cover old procedures very well......Porsche manuals were written with the understanding that you "grew up" on the factory floor. My favorite Porsche mechanic says that....so i wont take credit for it.

One thing is for certain....if you have ANY QUESTIONS post them on this website and they will be answered.....

[5axis]

The NoVa gang may be nearby. They seem to like removing engines from 911's, beer, and pizza. Oil changes are just the begining!

I'll second getting 101 projects.

david 89 turbo cab