Overfill.... How Bad?

Lil bastard · 07-13-2010, 01:24 PM

New owner here and topped up the oil today to slightly above the full mark on the dipstick. Estimate overfill to be no more than a cup (8oz.). The dash gauge sits at about the 2 or 2:30 o'clock position.

How bad is this? I know that on a wet sump motor, you risk foaming the oil on an overfill because of crank agitation, but is it as bad on a dry sump motor? Wouldn't the excess just sit in the tank and make it's level a little higher? I also know that track cars (or street cars on DE or AutoX day) often add a half quart to insure against oil starvation.

I only ask to know if it's really necessary to pull out the mityvac and draw it out, seems to me it'll be OK. If it were any more than this, I wouldn't even ask the question, I'd go ahead and draw it out. But, seeing how it's not a great deal, I'd just as soon let it be if I can.

TIA

Cheers!

Oh Haha · 05:56 PM

Did you check the level with the engine at normal temps and idling? If you checked it with the engine off you will probably need to drain some.

If you did it correctly then leave it be, IMO.

BTW-What model 911 is it? 964 or 993?

You may want to include your year and model in your signature as some problems are specific to the different models. (Checking the oil level is not, however.)

Stealth 993 · Stealth 993's Garage

I would pull some out. If you didn't drive it a lot, or drive it hard, you should be ok, most overfills end up just eating the oil in the intake.

gduke2010 · gduke2010's Garage

Check oil w/ engine running and warm ww/ car sitting on a flat surface. If you drove your car and it didn't smoke your prob. not that big of a deal. But, it might be a good idea to take some oil out if you think that you overfilled. An overfilled Porsche can be messy, soaking an engine w/oil.

A good investment would be Waynes book 101 Projects if your a do-it yourself person. I bought and use the book.

Lil bastard · 07-13-2010, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gduke2010

Check oil w/ engine running and warm ww/ car sitting on a flat surface. If you drove your car and it didn't smoke your prob. not that big of a deal. But, it might be a good idea to take some oil out if you think that you overfilled. An overfilled Porsche can be messy, soaking an engine w/oil.

A good investment would be Waynes book 101 Projects if your a do-it yourself person. I bought and use the book.

OK Guys,

Thanks for the replies. You've convinced me... I'll get out the MityVac and set the level right. I did check it warm and level, engine idling. The level on the dipstick is just over the Full mark, as I said a max of 1 Cup, but overfilled is overfilled.

Appreciate the recommendation of Wayne's book. Not to be smug, but my new-to-me '90 964 Cab has only 20k one-owner miles and is virtually perfect, a time capsule. I already replaced all the fluids (incl. Brakes & Clutch), belts (incl. dizzy belt), the battery and tires, so the 964 is good to go. I'll pick up the book at some later date.

I am a DIY guy, I've been wrenching on cars for more than 30 yrs., so know my way around a bit. I've owned more than 30 Fun cars, incl. Datsun Z's (240's), Lotus Turbo Esprit, E-Types, big Healeys, MGs, early 911's, etc. and have always done my own wrenching from tune-ups to engine and tranny rebuilds. The only stuff I farm out is either Machine work, or those tasks which aren't worth doing on jackstands and a creeper. I'm active in the local collector scene and a member of the Nat'l Lotus club and PCA.

But, you're never too old or experienced to ask questions and learn new things. I'm hoping that the forum members such as you can help me flatten the learning curve a bit on this new Porsche.

Currently own a '99 Boxster (27k mi. and also perfect - For Sale btw) and am restoring a '76 BMW 2002 - one owner Cali car w/ only 50k orig. mi., and no rust whatever (car was stored under a blanket indoors for 29 yrs.) - pics attached.

Cheers!

Oh Haha · 07-14-2010, 01:29 AM

Cool cars!

Wayne's book is good but is more for the older, torsion bar cars. Sure, some projects would be usable on a 964 but a Bentley or other service manual would be more useful inthis case.

It's nice to have an another experienced Porschephile here.

Newsboy · Newsboy's Garage

Get Porsche 911 Enthusiasts Companion by Adrian Streeter. Deals with 89-94 911/964

Stuttgart951 · 07-16-2010, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gduke2010

If you drove your car and it didn't smoke your prob. not that big of a deal.

+1. You'd be trailing smoke out the back if the overfill was severe.

RedCarr710 · RedCarr710's Garage

Hey LB,

I think I'm in the same boat and have too much oil in my 964 coupe...probably a bit more than a cup too (.5-1" higher than the upper "twist" on the dipstick at proper oil checking conditions).

I see you referenced a "Mityvac" (is that a small wet dry vac?). What's the easiest\safest way to draw some oil out of a 964 to get it down to that sweet spot on the dipstick? I have some oil dripping from under the engine and I want to correct my overfill so that I can determine the source and volume of the leak.

Thanks.

ozzygus · 05-01-2015, 10:41 PM

Hi guys, I've got the same prob. my mechanic has over filled it by 1,5 liters i took it for A drive today & it started smoking bad by the time I got it home it started running really sick, i've drained the oil excess oil & now seems to be running better but heaps of smoke is still puffing out the back, when i give A good boot through 1st & 2nd its like A cloud of smoke. can somebody tell what could be the problem please?
Gus

bri450sl · 05-02-2015, 03:37 AM

I've done this before on an oil change in my 993. I just open the oil plug on the external oil tank just a little and let some drain out until the oil level is correct. Very easy fix.

bri450sl · 05-02-2015, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Hi guys, I've got the same prob. my mechanic has over filled it by 1,5 liters i took it for A drive today & it started smoking bad by the time I got it home it started running really sick, i've drained the oil excess oil & now seems to be running better but heaps of smoke is still puffing out the back, when i give A good boot through 1st & 2nd its like A cloud of smoke. can somebody tell what could be the problem please?

Gus

At first I was thinking just oil that overflowed out the filler neck onto the hot engine and is burning off. But you say it blows more when pressing on the accelerator. My suggestion is not correct in that case. Did you look at your air filter? Maybe some overfilled oil was sucked into that and saturated it?

JordanPryce · 05-05-2015, 02:58 AM

Save on MityVac 7400 at ToolTopia.com

mikedsilva · 05-06-2015, 02:52 AM

love that 2002!

efhughes3 · efhughes3's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozzygus

Hi guys, I've got the same prob. my mechanic has over filled it by 1,5 liters i took it for A drive today & it started smoking bad by the time I got it home it started running really sick, i've drained the oil excess oil & now seems to be running better but heaps of smoke is still puffing out the back, when i give A good boot through 1st & 2nd its like A cloud of smoke. can somebody tell what could be the problem please?
Gus

The problem is your mechanic. If you haven't figured it out, you need a new one. Any mechanic that doesn't know how to change the oil on these cars has no business working on them.