Oil level gauge reading
07-05-2008, 09:24 PM
#1
Oil level gauge reading
My 1987 911 oil level gauge seems to have changed the way it operates since my recent service - oil change, filters, etc. Before service the gauge would bounce around a bit during warmup, read toward the high end at speed RMPs and the reading would drop down to just above the red zone when at low RMPs, such as stopped at a traffic light. The needle moved around quite abit. Now, at startup the needle stays at the low end for a few seconds then slowly (5 secs.) rises to the top end reading and stays there, virtually pegged at the top. At idle (traffic light) the reading does not drop down as it did before. The oil temp and pressure readings are the same as they have always been. Comments as to whether this is normal, what is going on, etc.
Thanks.
Jim Beam
1987 911 Coupe
1963 356B Coupe
Thanks.
Jim Beam
1987 911 Coupe
1963 356B Coupe
07-05-2008, 09:47 PM
#2
Drifting
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If you determine that the sending unit is bad, PM me...I have an extra I'd sell at a decent price for you. Make sure that the ground connection on the tank is good....sometimes the ground gets loose and causes erratic readings.
07-05-2008, 10:57 PM
#3
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Jim Beam,
The oil level gauge is designed to be used when your car is stopped, level, idling and warmed up.
When driving your Porsche oil is constantly recirculating from the engine, through the oil cooler circuit if sufficiently warm, through the oil filter and back to the oil tank.
As a result of varying rpms, temperatures and vehicle motion, the actual oil level in the tank will move up and down as well as slosh around in the tank.
This makes the oil level gauge move up and down while the car is in motion.
However once stopped, on a level surface, idling and warmed up, the oil level stabilizes in the tank.
At this time the oil level on the dip stick will read the current operating oil level.
It should be mid way between the upper and lower marks on the dipstick.
The gauge will read at it's mid point when the oil level is at the midpoint of the dip stick.
The oil level gauge will read in the red if the oil level is below the low point on the dipstick.
There may still be oil showing on the dipstick below the low mark, however the gauge range is from the lower to the upper dipstick mark.
Conversely the gauge will read full if the dipstick reads at the upper mark and above.
It is important to check the gauge by stopping on a level surface, engine temp to normal, idling.
Check the dipstick and compare it to the gauge reading. Midway on the dip stick, between the upper and lower marks should read midway on the gauge.
Oil at the lower dipstick mark should read at or very near the red on the gauge.
Oil level on the dipstick at the upper mark should read at or near full on the gauge.
Once you have established the oil level gauge agrees with the dipstick you can use the oil level gauge as a guide to the oil level.
NOTHING replaces actual dipstick oil levels. The oil level gauge is a guide only.
NEVER trust the oil level gauge until you have verified that it agrees with the dipstick when stopped on a level surface with the engine warm and idling.
The oil level gauge is a guide to actual level.
It is NOT designed to be used while the car is cold, or in motion.
It is normal for the oil level to be low after the car has been sitting for several hours.
The oil slowly, very slowly, drips into the engine from the oil tank once the engine is turned off.
This happens over a period of several hours.
Older cars this may happen a bit quicker.
This is perfectly normal.
The oil level gauge is designed to be used when your car is stopped, level, idling and warmed up.
When driving your Porsche oil is constantly recirculating from the engine, through the oil cooler circuit if sufficiently warm, through the oil filter and back to the oil tank.
As a result of varying rpms, temperatures and vehicle motion, the actual oil level in the tank will move up and down as well as slosh around in the tank.
This makes the oil level gauge move up and down while the car is in motion.
However once stopped, on a level surface, idling and warmed up, the oil level stabilizes in the tank.
At this time the oil level on the dip stick will read the current operating oil level.
It should be mid way between the upper and lower marks on the dipstick.
The gauge will read at it's mid point when the oil level is at the midpoint of the dip stick.
The oil level gauge will read in the red if the oil level is below the low point on the dipstick.
There may still be oil showing on the dipstick below the low mark, however the gauge range is from the lower to the upper dipstick mark.
Conversely the gauge will read full if the dipstick reads at the upper mark and above.
It is important to check the gauge by stopping on a level surface, engine temp to normal, idling.
Check the dipstick and compare it to the gauge reading. Midway on the dip stick, between the upper and lower marks should read midway on the gauge.
Oil at the lower dipstick mark should read at or very near the red on the gauge.
Oil level on the dipstick at the upper mark should read at or near full on the gauge.
Once you have established the oil level gauge agrees with the dipstick you can use the oil level gauge as a guide to the oil level.
NOTHING replaces actual dipstick oil levels. The oil level gauge is a guide only.
NEVER trust the oil level gauge until you have verified that it agrees with the dipstick when stopped on a level surface with the engine warm and idling.
The oil level gauge is a guide to actual level.
It is NOT designed to be used while the car is cold, or in motion.
It is normal for the oil level to be low after the car has been sitting for several hours.
The oil slowly, very slowly, drips into the engine from the oil tank once the engine is turned off.
This happens over a period of several hours.
Older cars this may happen a bit quicker.
This is perfectly normal.
Last edited by 2.7RACER; 07-12-2008 at 12:26 PM.
