Dan Rufer

For all my life I've had cars with "normal" oil in them that I changed every 3,000 miles. Now I've got a 911 with Mobil 1 (an '87 Carrera that was changed to Mobil 1 after a comlete engine rebuild). I'm headed to Watkins Glen shortly for a DE event and am at about 5,000 miles since my last oil change. I've got new oil & filters in the garage and will gladly the oil before the Glen. But might I be changing the oil just for the sake of it rather than for any real purpose? As it happens, the engine is using a quart every 1,250 miles (I've added four quarts since the last oil change 5,000 (s)miles ago.) Thanks for any comments. Dan

BER

Dan,

Asking about oil change frequency should get you many different perspectives. Kinda like asking what is the best tire for a 911.

I use my 1984 911 in 6 or 7 DE events each year. I use Mobil 1 and I change the oil/filter every six months. YMMV.

Bruce

richard glickel.

Same here. I've got Mobil 1 in my 3.6L, and before that in my 3.2. Of course you'll check the oil level, but assuming that you're not leakin', oil consumption will not increse appreciably. For example, I ran 2 days at the Glen last month, and on the first day added 1 quart of Mobil 1. I then ran 2 days this week at Lime Rock and when I checked the oil level before heading home, it was fine (down too small an amount to warrant adding any oil this time).

Mobil 1 oil change and filter at the start of the DE season should take you through the Fall. I suppose you would also consider the frequency of your DE activity. This year I'm driving once per month, but two consecutive days (sometimes different regions have the same track one day after the other, so I've sign up for both. This week I ran with Metro (thursday) & Shattenbaum (friday) at LRP.

Anyway, remember to check your oil level (by hand) just as you would check you tire pressure, etc., between runs, to make sure that your not losing oil. Also, the experts recommend that you bleed your brakes and add new brake fluid after each track event, which is a really good idea along with checking all brake lines, etc.

If you go on the Metro/NY site, they've got a list of items for you to bring to the track with you for DE events that's pretty good. Have a blast!

richard
'87 Carrera-3.6L

James Achard

Dan, I think there is another item that needs to be addressed here. How hot is your engine getting at the track?? I just did 4 days at The Glen with the ambient temp reaching 95 deg for a few of the days. Considering this, I canged my oil after I got back. I only just changed it befor the event and just changed it again after only 2000 miles, but those were VERY hard miles. My oil guage was getting to the middle of the two white marks which would put me at approx. 235 deg in oil temp. The way I look at it is that it's cheap insurance and seeing that my car ran perfectly for all those days, It's a way of saying "thank you" to my car.

Cheers, James

ps are you going with NER on the 31st and the 1st?? I'll be there too.

Jon Sailer

Rich,

I was at Lime Rock the past two days as well. I was driving the bone stock red 86 911 in the green group. I had a blast and now will be going to Watkins Glen in August as well. If you are going, I will look for you there to say hello.

What color and number was your car at LRP?

Jon Sailer

richard glickel.

Jon,

Red '87 Carrera coupe 3.6L conversion with Ruf front spoiler & carrera tail), number 608 on the windows for Metro DE, with #22 on the doors & hood for Shattenbaum DE on friday.

Wasn't thursday just a glorious day?

I'll be at the Glen August 23-25. See you there!

richard <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

john d 81SC

Dan,

Technically, Mobil 1 is good for 15K between changes; more importantly how long has it been since your last change? 5000 miles can be 2 years for some drivers. And while I've been told that there is not the same type of chemical breakdown in synthetic oil as 'dino juice', I've been told by some very knowledgeable mechanics that oil should be changed, depending on mileage, a minimum of at least once a year. Have fun at the Glen - it is an INCREDIBLE driving experience...but watch out for the 'blue bushes!' *G*

Jon Sailer

Rich,

I posted some images from Thursday here:
<a href="http://www.buoy.com/~jsailer/lrp7-11-2002" target="_blank">http://www.buoy.com/~jsailer/lrp7-11-2002</a>
If anyone wants full size (5 megapixel camera) images from the collection, just let me know and I can email them to you.

Not to go off topic, but I change my oil every three DE events or 3,000 miles which ever comes first.I figure a DE event is close to 1000 road miles. =)

I intend to go to Mid-Ohio with Tracquest as well.

Jon

Jim Michaels

Dan: Bruce was right; different P-guys have somewhat different oil change intervals, depending on usage and what it takes to produce cognitive comfort for them. With another DE coming up soon, I just changed my Mobil 1 after 2400 miles, but those miles included 2 DE events and 3 autoxs. I put a little less than 5k miles on my car per year, so I'm changing oil about twice a year. If it weren't for the DEs and autoxs, I'd change once a year. But if I had 5k miles on my oil and a WG DE coming up, I'd change the oil, mostly because it would make me feel better (the cognitive comfort part). The fact that you're wondering about it enough to ask suggests that you'd feel better changing the oil as well (and how 'bout dat brake fluid too?). Have a great time at the Glen.

Geoffrey

I'll just add my $.02. I change my oil and filter with Mobil 1 after every 3000 miles regardless of the type of driving. Remember that it isn't so much that the oil breaks down, it is that it gets contaminated from stuff getting past the rings. That is why it turns black.

richard glickel

Jon,

There I am in your paddock picture #57, walking away from DeMan's No.72 car (guy with the tan golf hat). In the background you can just about see the "red sled".

richard

Jon Sailer

Rich,

Here are the links for the two DE days.

<a href="http://www.buoy.com/~jsailer/lrp7-12-2002" target="_blank">http://www.buoy.com/~jsailer/lrp7-12-2002</a>
<a href="http://www.buoy.com/~jsailer/lrp7-11-2002" target="_blank">http://www.buoy.com/~jsailer/lrp7-11-2002</a>

I also emailed you two full images of you and your red sled. =)

Take Care!

Jon