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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?

Old 05-01-2011, 09:15 AM
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The gauge is inaccurate when driving...I ignore it and trust the stick.
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Old 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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Old 05-01-2011, 09:22 AM
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Oil level gauge sending unit could be going... its not expensive or difficult to replace.
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Old 05-01-2011, 10:27 AM
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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.
Old 05-01-2011, 01:58 PM
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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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Old 05-01-2011, 03:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe Bob View Post
The gauge is inaccurate when driving...I ignore it and trust the stick.
You can't check the level with the stick while you're driving either.



Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe Bob View Post


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.......
Why does everyone hate on the clock? It tells time...what's worthless about that?
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Old 05-01-2011, 03:49 PM
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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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Old 05-01-2011, 03:56 PM
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At least you got to keep your 911, errm you did get to keep your 911 didn't you?
Old 05-01-2011, 04:42 PM
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yup.....clothes, 911, tools, boat, harley.....the important stuff.

I do miss the kids.....
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Old 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
Old 05-02-2011, 05:36 AM
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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!!!!
Old 05-02-2011, 10:15 AM
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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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Old 05-02-2011, 10:38 AM
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yep, no worries....your gauge is working exactly as intended.

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Old 05-02-2011, 10:53 AM
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