Brads911sc

I would add... that many of us dont want to use Brad Penn... Simply because we dont want to use Syn oil. Example... I have a bone dry 83 with 94k miles that has never seen Syn oil. I will only use Dino oil. The most accepted Dino oil is Kendall GT1. Peter (expert) recommends this for those not wanting to use Syn oil like Brad Penn. It meets all the specs of Brad Penn... its a personal choice and either way you go, you will be safe...

old man neri

I use syn (it's driven in the bitter cold winter) and I have had no problems that I can notice (aka leaks).

Daniel Dudley

As I understand it, Brad Penn is not synthetic, and has all the additives that Kendall used to have. As for the Valvoline, 20/50 Racing is the oil. Modern oils formulated for the street no longer contain the extreme pressure additives needed to protect the rockers and camshafts on air cooled engines.

As a new owner, 101 Projects for Your 911 is a good read, even if you never intend to turn a wrench. Also, join the PCA, and find some local Porsche buddies who have some experience with early 911s.

Also, some cheap advice. Don't ever feel compelled to start your car if you think something is really wrong. If something is wrong, you don't want to make it worse. Consider buying a copy of Pete Zimmerman's book, The Used 911 Story. A very concise summation of all the early 911 models and their foibles, it is a great read for the new 911 owner, and is very easy to digest.

Good luck with your ''new'' 911, and enjoy. A well kept 911 will no doubt outlast us all, and they are tough, reliable cars. Spend a little time getting to know yours now, and reap the rewards for a lifetime.

ked

My '87 came w/ Shell factory fill when new. When I got it at 75K mi (circa 2001), after 3 owners, it had Castrol GTX. I switched to Mobil1 (15W-50) until a year ago (120K mi). Now I am running BP 20W-50 (10% synth, as I best recall). I do occasional DEs, drive long distances at speed in hot weather, & seek out winding roads over hills & mountains. I have no leaks (unless I DON'T drive the car for many weeks in Winter, then get a small amt), oil consumption varies, but at worst remains below the limit for the dreaded valve guide job. {over many years & many cars, I prefered Valvoline, Shell Rotella & Kendall GT1 - new formulations of these classic oils are not what they once were, they are reformulated to address EPA regs, fuel consumption targets & new engine designs - do your own research & makes your own choices} The usual sites...

http://www.lnengineering.com/oil.html
http://www.bradpennracing.com/default.asp

ron mcatee

FYI, on your 88 Carrera, you do not have a sump. You have a single drain plug. If you try to drain any out of the tank or engine, you will probably get quite oil soaked. It was suggested earlier in the thread to change the oil. I recommend doing that plus put a new filter on at the same time. This way you have a baseline to start from. Unless the car been maintained with synthetic, I would also recommend going with a dino....I use Valvolie 20w50 VR1 Racing oil, but there are other good ones to choose from. The VR1 Racing oil has higher Zinc & Phoshorus levels than most oils. I used to have a chart on oils, but can't locate it. Do a search and see what you come up with and decide for yourself.

One thing I have done for over 50 years is to keep a small spiral notebook in the glove box to record any work, service, oil changes, etc done to my vehicles. It is aquick reference should I need it. I keep all the paper invoice, records, etc in my desk in the house should I have to take something back for warranty or orher work. Maybe this would work for you also.

Good Luck.

Bearclaw

Funny how this turned into a "dino vs. synth." thread, like we haven't had one of those in the 2 days.

To the OP: Got Smoke?
If you don't, your problem is pretty low on the Richter scale. Even competent Porsche techs, God forbid even some gurus, overfill these things occasionally.
Do as was suggested and check your oil completely warmed up, idling, level ground. If it's where you say it is, You can probably suck it down with a turkey baster, if you don't feel like changing the oil right now. Your cars gonna eat up the excess in a couple thousand miles anyway. Sleep well.

Before you do an oil change, do a search like "What oil do you use?", do some reading, then make up your own mind.

Streetfighter

I would also suggest getting the oil changed here in the next month or so depending on how much you drive it. When you buy a 911 the last owner probably did not change the oil so be prepared to do an immediate oil service. Look for an independent Porsche Specialist to change the oil for you. They should be a lot cheaper than a dealership and more intune with the air cooled 911's. Don't freak out.

ked

"...on your 88 Carrera, you do not have a sump. You have a single drain plug."
that's strange... on my '87 I have drain plugs for the filler tank AND for the engine - both drain oil when opened. I thought '88s & '89s were the same.

Oshin11

AFTER ALL THE OIL threads, I was under the impression to NOT use Valvoline VR1 Racing. I went with Brad Penn 20-50, cant be beat.

Edgy01

I've been as many as 4 quarts low without a problem,--but it's really easy to stay on top of this. Just check the dipstick every week; more frequently if on a trip.

KC911

Brad Penn is not synthetic, but is indeed the same green oil that Kendall GT1 "used" to be for years before Kendall "changed" . Hope this helps...

Keith
'88 CE coupe