Oil level question...

[Paul K]

I just went for a run in the Targa, got the temp up to operating, parked it on a level surface and left it idling for 5 mins. Checked the gauges and saw this...(Sorry for the blurry pic)



So I checked the level on the dipstick. Oil shows to about 2/3rds of the way up. What gives? The oil level gauge was reading fine when I was driving (it's not stuck at the top). No smoking, car seems to run fine. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,

Paul.

[Brent Lineker]

My guage usually reads a little bit higher than the dip stick.Trust the dipstick over the guage....

[Paul K]

Thanks Brent- I'm thinking the same- sender may be faulty, or maybe the gauge- but not the dipstick. Did I let it idle too long?

Thanks,

Paul.

[barney911rs]

Just a guess, and I'm sure someone else can confirm or deny, if the temp is above 180 (not sure the positions on the non-numbered gauges) which it appears to be. The oil would of expanded further, causing the needle to be higher.

[dbacks23]

Paul, two years ago I bought a 1980 SC. I knew nothing about Porsche's at the time. I told the previous owner to have the oil changed before I drove it home which was about a 1200 mile trip. The oil level was pegged as yours is showing. I later found out that the PO changed the oil himself. This proved to be a nightmare. Since I didn't know better, I thought it was just "full". After driving it that way for a total of about 2000 miles, I developed a leak that turned into a front and rear main seal failure. Not a good thing. Very costly. The dipstick is what to go by. I have learned on mine that while I drive the oil level on my gauge is almost at the bottom and after it has been running quite a while and I am sitting still it will return to about the middle of the gauge. I have learned that this is where mine is perfect. All I'm saying is... please be careful that it is not over filled. Eventually it causes too much pressure and seals will eventually give...especially if they are old and worn. Hope this helps.

[HarryD]

Paul,

Trust the Dipstick. After a while you will know what the gauge is really telling you. The gauge is only a relative measure.

See you A&D?

[T77911S]

does the needle move at all? not just when you turn off the key. most gages go to max deflection when they are shorted to ground, i have been told these go to max deflection when the wire to the sender is open.

dbacks23
i dont run my oil full. if i fill it, it just seems to use oil til it gets to about the min mark and then it uses less. i like it just above min on the dipstick which = a slight movement of the needle above the red. i have verified the oil gage to the dipstick so i know at idle if the needledoes not move i am below min, with the oil half way up the dipstick the needle is in the middle and so on. it is a good thing for everyone to do.

[Gogar]

Originally Posted by HarryD

Paul,

Trust the Dipstick. After a while you will know what the gauge is really telling you. The gauge is only a relative measure.

+1

[Paul K]

Thanks for the replies guys- yes, the needle does move- it acts fine when driving. I need to watch it when I stop and see what is happening.

And I agree- the dipstick is the most reliable method of checking the level...

Paul.

[Por_sha911]

I've basically trained myself to ignore the oil level. Watch the temp (which looks high in that pic), oil pressure, and make sure the alternator light doesn't come on. Other than that, its the tach and gas gauge.

[jbirkett]

When cold my gauge indicates an empty oil tank. After temp is normal then the gauge actually indicates oil is full. I use the gauge as just that, an indicator that I should check the dip stick.

[glenncof]

Paul,

The temp guage has "really" small numbers on the inner lip in degree C.

Search this forum or rennlist for details on this but my '85 runs just below the first mark and just above after front cooler has kicked in. Engine has two thermostats.

I don't see your temp unless I'm in 30 min. of stop/go traffic on 90F days.

Oil level - mine depends upon temperature. I consider it most accurate after the front cooler is in circuit, this includes measuring with dip. I also get bobble/jumping on the meter, there may be some foaming going on such as just off the highway.

[Paul K]

Okay, now I'm a tad worried. The pic was taken after a 20 minute run in 90 degrees plus weather, then it sat idling in the garage for 5 minutes. When I set off, the temp maxed at a hair below the second white line when I was going up through the canyon, then settled at close to what is seen in the pic. What should I do?

[Por_sha911]

Check to see if the thermostat is opening the line to the front cooler. A quick search will tell you how by checking the hoses that run to the front cooler. Also, take it for a nice easy drive one evening and see where the gauge sits while driving.

[HarryD]

Paul,

Check if your front oil lines are all working and let us know. If I see you at A&D this weekend we can take a look as well.

[TibetanT]

Must be a Targa thing, since my gauge does the same thing. Only really registers correctly after an oil change for the first 1000 miles. After that, as most here have already said, trust the dip stick, it never lies.

As far as the temperatures, I see that level of temperature on my 1983 911SC only on very hot days. Maybe just a tad higher if around 100 degrees outside, but most of the time right on the money.

One of the other gauges I watch constantly is the oil pressure gauge. If it is at 4.5 or higher, you are good to go. Of course, when at a stop light, the gauge registers a lower setting which is normal.

[Wil Ferch]

Against the grain here.....I find the gauge and the dipstick to be in close harmony in my 85 Carrera.

I would check sending unit or gauge functioning, including all grounds to see if they are valid grounds and clean. Good tip...do not fill to the "full" mark. Halfway is the ticket.

- Wil

[donstevens]

These gauges all look normal to me. No need to worry about heat until the needle gets above that 3/4 mark, continues to creep, up and will not come down. Then it is running hot.

I also trust the dipstick and only use the level gauge as a reference.

Don

[Paulporsche]

Paul,

From what I can see you don't need to do anything. Check the oil, both w/ the stick and the gauge only when the temps are just @ the first mark and the car is idling on level ground. That's the only true reading, and should be @ the half way point.

What was the temp reading while you were driving? On a hot, humid day, that temp doesn't seem out of line.

Don't stop and let the car idle in your garage for 5 minutes. If you want it to cool down, stop the car, turn it off, and open the hood.

[KFC911]

On my '88, I've only seen my temp guage get that high (9 o'clock position) on two occasions, and that was with temps near 100 and pushing her really hard. I personally would be concerned if my guage approached the second white line as you indicated yours did, and I would certainly investigate.