Dumb Question
 

How do I check the oil in my 72 911? With the engine running, the oil flows through the tank and covers the dip stick. Should I turn off the engine?

Thanks.

Rick

Not a dumb question at all -- same as for your '82 SC!. The engine and oil must be a normal operating temperature, sitting on a level place, idling for15+ seconds, engine running. Remove tank cap, pull and wipe dipstick, reinsert dipstick, remove and read. Typically 2 quarts/liters between "full" and "add oil."

When reinserting dipstick, make sure it was properly inserted thru the holder -- otherwise, when you let it go, the stick ends up disappearing into the tank. Won't hurt the tank, oil, or engine, but tough to read the oil level then.

Thanks Brian. However, the problem is that with the engine running oil is flowing over the hole where the dip stick resides. When I pull the dip stick, it immediately gets covered with HOT oil. Therefore I can't get an accurate reading. What am I missing?

Rick

If oil is flowing out of the tank with the engine running, then you have way too much oil in the tank. Witih the engine off, you can siphon some out of the tank thru the filler hole, or drain it all from the bottom, orr drain the couple of quarts from the engine strainer drain in the center of the case. Button everything back up and repeat the test. Repeat until the level is right.

From your description of oil flowing out of the tank thru the filler, it is likely that oil is being circulated from the tank, out the filler, down the engine breather, into the engine, thru the scavenge pump, and back to the tank. It may be that there is so much oil in the engine that the crankshaft is running in it.

I think Rick needs an answer from an owner of a 72, specifically. Since I don't own one, I don't qualify but I have been looking for one to buy and I have noticed the exact same problem on the cars I've seen. It's not over fill, it's the unique way the 72 tank and oil console are designed. At idle, the oil tends to enter the tank from the left, top and splash over the dipstick. The only thing I noticed to compensate for this is the dipsticks had a sort of "splash guard" just below the loop that you grab. Maybe this is to keep the spurting oil from moving down the dipstick and giving a false reading. Still, you will get oily fingers.

Someone with a 72, what do you do?

If you can why not edit the thread title so you get more specific about your question. "Dumb question" might better be replaced with something specific to your problem as in "1972 oil measurement question". Clearly you need someone with a 72 to get the correct answer.

I had this same problem with my 72. I typically pull the dip stick quickly and read the side away from the spashing oil. This problem was improved when I installed a camshaft oil line restrictor.

Wish I could help but I've only checked my oil once, incorrectly. Currently I'm rebuilding my house so my '72 is still not driving since it needs brakes.

Thanks for all the replies. Sounds like my problem is not unique...so I'll just be real careful when pulling the stick. Did I mention how HOT the oil is? :eek: Love the car, hate the HOT oil.

Sorry, I don't know how to edit the thread title.

Rick

I think the oil line restrictor is a recommended "upgrade" for all the earlier cars. Might be the right move for your situation. I was wondering if there is a manual way to shield the stick before you pull it out?

YEAH. I have the same issue, though, so I think it's not just a problem with your car. I don't have a correct '72 dipstick, either; so I'm cornfused twice. I've come to "rely" so to speak on the oil tank level gauge. Once you understand what its supposed to look like, you can get a reasonable idea of what's going on in the tank.