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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 36
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Oil gauge dropped while highway driving
Okay so I took my 86 out for her first top down 70 miler trip to the beach this past weekend. Oh how I love the open air while sitting in a Porsche!!! I noticed that when I left for the trip my oil level was reading just above half way on the gauge (as far as I know this is where you want it), as I am reaching close to the 50 mile point the gauge dropped to almost in the red. I was doing about 65-70 mph for most of the ride. Why did this happen? When I hit red lights and had to stop, the gauge would jump back to above half. I am still very new to all of this so maybe someone can help. When I got to my destination I checked the dipstick and I was good on oil, do I have a bad gauge? What could cause the gauge to jump from very low to average?
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05-01-2011, 09:15 AM
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RETIRED
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The gauge is inaccurate when driving...I ignore it and trust the stick.
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1983/3.6, backdate to long hood 2012 ML350 3.0 Turbo Diesel |
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05-01-2011, 09:18 AM
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oil gauge.......
That's the way they work. When driving, more oil is in the sump rather than the oil tank (where the sender lives). So, when you have to stop the car with the engine still running, the oil pump in the engine sump simply pumps more oil back into the oil tank. While idleing, the gauge should read at about the half way mark. The oil pressure gauge typically should read about 1 bar per 1000 rpms. Good luck and enjoy your car!
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FEC3 1980 911SC coupe "Zeus" 3.3SS god of thunder and lightning |
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05-01-2011, 09:22 AM
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no mon no fun
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Oil level gauge sending unit could be going... its not expensive or difficult to replace.
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1982sc coupe |
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05-01-2011, 10:27 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PA
Posts: 518
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The oil level gauge is only accurate when idling on level ground and the engine is warm. Disregard it while driving. If you have ever held the oil level sender in your hand and realized how little it takes to move it you understand why the level seems to change so much when starting and stopping as the oil sloshes in the tank.
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05-01-2011, 01:58 PM
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RETIRED
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Personally....not having a gauge isn't a big deal. Pressure, oil temp and EGT are more valuable. With my mods.....83 cab, 964 engine, 993 gauges, the fuel/oil level gauge is not working (fuel only).....I'm looking for something to fill the hole......I won't miss the oil level gauge.
Lose the equally worthless VDO clock and install a Westach, EGT/voltmeter. Check your oil dipstick when refueling. You have 12+ quarts in the system. Not like it will ever run low....... 
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1983/3.6, backdate to long hood 2012 ML350 3.0 Turbo Diesel |
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05-01-2011, 03:44 PM
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Virginia Rocks!
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Just outside the beltway
Posts: 8,497
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Quote:
Quote:
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Rosewood 1983 911 SC Targa | Black 1990 944 S2 | White 1980 BMW R65 | Past: Crystal 1986 944 na Guards Red is for the Unoriginal
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05-01-2011, 03:49 PM
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RETIRED
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Uhhhhhmmmmm, wrist watches....every modern stereo has a clock.....so does my cell phone, when I had a spouse she had a watch, cell and a mouth to tell me when I was late.....I was never late but she always let me know when I was early.
I don't miss the VDO or the twit I was married to......
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1983/3.6, backdate to long hood 2012 ML350 3.0 Turbo Diesel |
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05-01-2011, 03:56 PM
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Registered
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At least you got to keep your 911, errm you did get to keep your 911 didn't you?
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05-01-2011, 04:42 PM
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RETIRED
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yup.....clothes, 911, tools, boat, harley.....the important stuff.
I do miss the kids.....
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1983/3.6, backdate to long hood 2012 ML350 3.0 Turbo Diesel |
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05-01-2011, 04:49 PM
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As has been stated in earlier posts, the gauge is only supposed to give an accurate reading when warm, at idle and on a level surface.....same conditions when checking the dipstick. Cheers
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05-02-2011, 05:36 AM
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 36
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You guys don't know how glad I am to hear the news that it is no big deal!!!!! Bring on the summer with the top down! I am so glad to be a member of this site, there is always a wealth of knowledge on here!!! Thanks again all!!!!
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05-02-2011, 10:15 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Wayne, PA
Posts: 2,010
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Actually, if your gauge reads at one half while at idle, you should be fine. If you decide to track your car or Autocross it, you want the needle to be just above the red when the oil is hot. At halfway, when the oil heats up and expands, there is always the risk of oil belching out over your nice clean engine. While not the end of the world, oil on the track is no fun.
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Christopher Mahalick 1984 911 Targa, 1974 Lotus Europa TCS 2001 BMW 530i(5spd!), Ducati 900 SS/SP 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 250, 2015 Yamaha R3 1965 Suzuki k15 Hillbilly, 1975 Suzuki GT750 |
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05-02-2011, 10:38 AM
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muck-raker
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Coastal PNW
Posts: 3,059
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yep, no worries....your gauge is working exactly as intended.
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STONE '88 Cabriolet, using EP Slick 20w50 partial synthetic Snake Oil...just as Rommel intended.  Deny Everything; Admit Nothing; and Always Make Counter-accusations 
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05-02-2011, 10:53 AM
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Da cab
Zeus (god of thunder and lightning)
2001 Porsche 996
2020 
