Too much oil!

fleetline51 · 08-14-2015, 08:46 AM

'90- 964 - C4- Cab 3.6L

Took the Cab out for a drive on Wednesday...While stopped at a traffic light, I noticed my oil level gauge was all the way low (At about 5 o'clock position on the gauge) I pulled into a parking lot and checked the dip stick...It was JUST showing oil at the very bottom of the dip stick.

Didn't realize the engine needed to be running to check the oil level, so I got the car into the driveway and turned it off and proceeded to fill it a bit at a time until I added 5 quarts.

Took the car around the block a few time and noticed that the gauge was reading ALL the way FULL...(While running.)

Did I do any damage by over-filling and then running the engine, even around the block?

I tried siphoning it through the Oil fill tube but I didn't have any luck...seems like it was just sucking air. Not wanting to make any more of a mess, I cleaned up some spilled oil spots, closed the engine cover and covered the car.

Question: What should be my next move? Should I get it over to my Porsche performance shop and let them deal with it? They are all of about 5 miles from here.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks and Best Regards,

Tony

RedCoupe · 08-14-2015, 09:35 AM

Probably not serious damage, but it could be a big mess if you drive it any more. I would for sure drain the oil tank and measure how much comes out. You're going to need a very big pan or bucket. I would put in 5 quarts less, warm it up and then see where the level is. Remember, not only should the engine be idling, but the oil should be warmed up to operating temperature to get an accurate measurement. Most of us run it at just above the add mark on the stick.

TMc993 · 08-14-2015, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fleetline51

'90- 964 - C4- Cab 3.6L

Took the Cab out for a drive on Wednesday...While stopped at a traffic light, I noticed my oil level gauge was all the way low (At about 5 o'clock position on the gauge) I pulled into a parking lot and checked the dip stick...It was JUST showing oil at the very bottom of the dip stick.

Didn't realize the engine needed to be running to check the oil level, so I got the car into the driveway and turned it off and proceeded to fill it a bit at a time until I added 5 quarts.

Took the car around the block a few time and noticed that the gauge was reading ALL the way FULL...(While running.)

Did I do any damage by over-filling and then running the engine, even around the block?

I tried siphoning it through the Oil fill tube but I didn't have any luck...seems like it was just sucking air. Not wanting to make any more of a mess, I cleaned up some spilled oil spots, closed the engine cover and covered the car.

Question: What should be my next move? Should I get it over to my Porsche performance shop and let them deal with it? They are all of about 5 miles from here.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks and Best Regards,

Tony

If you're a DIY kind of person, you can drain the oil and get the oil level correct with a little trial and error. If you aren't sure of your ability to correct things, then it would probably be a good idea to get it to your shop, let them get the oil level correct and then have them show you how to check and maintain the proper oil level. It's not rocket science, but it's really important in these cars.

creaturecat · 08-15-2015, 08:47 AM

drop some oil out the bottom of the reservoir:
make sure you have a shallow, extra large pan.
position yourself, such that the drain plug is easily manageable.
ENGINE COLD. undo the drain plug slowly.
drop some oil out.
replace drain plug. do not cross thread.
done.

fleetline51 · 08-15-2015, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creaturecat

drop some oil out the bottom of the reservoir:
make sure you have a shallow, extra large pan.
position yourself, such that the drain plug is easily manageable.
ENGINE COLD. undo the drain plug slowly.
drop some oil out.
replace drain plug. do not cross thread.
done.

It's Looking more and more like I'm gonna' crawl under there and drain some oil!

BTW...Anyone here got some pics of where the reservoir drain plug(s) location might be?

Thanks Again!

Best Regards,

Tony

creaturecat · 08-15-2015, 05:10 PM

you can"t miss it. the drain plug.
in front of the rear wheel.
passenger side.

KaiB · 08-16-2015, 12:37 PM

Given all I've seen above, I not absolutely sure you should be doing this without competent help at your side.

Since you have no clue how much oil is in the car at the moment, my best advice would be to drain the tank AND the engine fully - cold is fine - and then add 8 quarts.

Warm the engine (per instruction) and check your oil level from there....

creaturecat · 08-17-2015, 10:51 AM

yup.
if you are not comfortable with screwing the drain plug back in, quickly, then drain it completely.
start over with 8 quarts, topping up as required.

Emo993 · 08-23-2015, 03:27 AM

I would just drain the engine case first, easy, what does it hold quart or two. That might do it. Mark

crg53 · 08-23-2015, 10:54 AM

Please follow the instructions on the sticker on the back ledge in the engine compartment.

fleetline51 · 09-06-2015, 04:14 AM

Well. finally took the cover off the car since I last overfilled the oil reservoir. Decided that I was going to drain off 4 quarts from the oil tank and see where that leaves me.

Got a clear plastic "shoe-box" storage container from the Dollar Store, poured in 4 quarts of water as measured with a Pyrex measuring cup and then marked a line all the way around the container with a broad "Sharpie" marker at the 2 quart and 4 quart level.

Slid the shoe box into position under the oil tank drain plug-Broke the drain plug loose with a 15mm socket and a 3/8" drive ratchet wrench. With surgical gloves on, I SLOWLY
unscrewed the drain plug until oil started to flow out. I kept the drain plug up against the mating threaded port of the tank so that I could rapidly screw it back in to stop the flow of oil...Worked like a charm! Took out 2 quarts at a time, (x2) total of 4 quarts, cleaned the area and put the tools away. Started the Porsche and let it come to temp at idle, (flat ground).Checked the Dip Stick-Right between the two notches-dash gauge pegged at 3 o'clock...DONE!

Thanks to ALL here who responded to my original post, without whose help I would never have gotten through this!

Next move...Complete oil and Filter change...

Thanks Again, Folks!

Best Regards,

Tony

RedCoupe · 09-06-2015, 05:50 AM

Good job, Tony. Here are a couple of pointers for the actual oil and filter change: First, I like to take my car out for a good long drive before the oil change, long enough to be sure that the thermostat has opened and oil is flowing to and from the oil cooler. Second, I punch a small hole into the top of the oil filter, right at the end. I put a rectangular plastic dish (Tupperware?) under the oil filter and unscrew the filter 1/2 turn so the hole is on the bottom and drains oil that is in the filter. While oil is draining out of the filter I go ahead and drain the tank and the engine. Draining the filter before removing it prevents oil from spilling all over the engine compartment. Alternatively, you could be quick with some shop towels. Buy a supply of the aluminum drain plug washers from our host. The same washer is used on both the tank drain plug and the engine drain. The washers are cheap and replacing them at every change prevents drips. One last tip: I don't check my oil until I've seen the temperature climb up on the gauge and then dip when the thermostat opens and then eventually settle up in the normal range. If only the oil in the engine is warm when you check it, the oil level can still be too high when the oil in the cooler and the lines finally warms up.