TC_SJ

At one time I saw the oil level gauge keep bouncing up and down, I check the oil and seem a bit low, so I add 1 1/2 qt to it. The oil gauge never bounce again, it alway stay up North.Last week I took my too the shop for a valve adjustment and tune up, the mechanic test drove my car and he point at the oil guage & temp gauge (just above the first red mark a bit), he said my car run HOT , car have to much oil . I reply oh $****, does it harm the car cause I been driving the car at least 1 month with oil over flow, he said 1 month won't hurt at all. So he perform the routing tune-up , valve adjustment and drain out 3 qt of oil from the car.

Now, here what happend after I take the car home. the oil level gauge stay at South and never go up,the temp does not drop after 3 qt oil drianned out, still a bit above 1st red mark. I never see the temp gauge go above the mark since I own the car and recent oil change I put a bit too much oil in the car, does this mean I screw up badly ?

I called the machanic asked him about the oil level gauge when to South and never go up, he said the sender possible bad due to too much oil on it, recomend to replace.

I have the Bentley manual and want to do it my self, what this item call ?, Also could it be the oil pump also bad up due to too much oil. How can you tell by the symptoms ?

PS. Bay Area weather about 50 deg in the morning, drive the car about 10 miles and the temp gauge go a bit above the 1st red mark. It's normal

Again, this just start happend, and I never notice this before, just happend recently

Thanks
TC

Bill Gregory

TC,

The oil gauge is notorious for not being accurate. Some are, some aren't. You check your oil level when the engine is warm at normal operating temp, on a flat surface idleing for a minute, then check the dipstick. The oil should be somewhere around the middle to maybe 2/3rds towards the top, and under no circumstances over the top. That's what you use to determine how much oil is in the engine.

Jdub

Why are you discussing replacing an oil level gauge when it is the oil temp gauge that should be setting off alarms?

You said the oil level gauge worked ("North") and is now not registering ("South"). Forget it. What you need to concentrate on is the oil temp. Why does the temp read so high?

It would help if you posted year, model, etc. Then we could work from there.

Jw

H. D. Smith

My guages are not the most accurate...but I have learned to check the oil level often and pay attention to the oil temp guage. The oil level guage is not real accurate at low temps, but once the oil reaches standard operating temp the level guage is pretty accurate. No better method than just monitoring the level yourself, and watching the temp and start your trouble shooting at the sensor.

TC_SJ

My car is 87 911 Turbo Look Cab with 40 K mile

Sorry about the incorrect info refer to temp gauge above the red mark, I should say above the second white mark, which mean 1/3 of the temp indicator. The temp reach to this mark after driving about 10 mile city/freeway & out side temp about 50 degree

The oil level gauge never working up North any more, I use to see it either at center when car idle or up North while driving . Now just seat at the South.

The oil preesure gauge seem like working find, I do see it more up & down at idle or when driving

How do I make the oil level gauge working again ?
Can I do it myself, what does this item call (oil level sender ?)

The oil level on the dip stick now show 2/3 between lower mark to top mark, car running idle for 10 minutes and temp gauge above 2nd white mark a bit (1/3 of the temp indicator)

Does this normal, I just worry that the summer is coming in CA, and may be my car will be toast when out side temp at 80-90

Thanks for your help
Tan

Jdub

TC:

Your oil temp. seems fine if I understand that the temp. is at 1/3rd after 10 miles - that is good!

The oil level gauge is not registering because you have used the oil that was causing it to work. Try putting in NO MORE than 1/2 quart OR LESS and seeing if the needle starts to bump to 1/2 way up or so.

VERY IMPORTANT: DO NOT OVERFILL OIL! Also, check your oil level only after at least 15+ miles and the engine temp. gauge reading warm, car on level ground. Put your hand on the oil cooler under the right front fender and be sure it it warm.

One thing about the oil level gauge; it seems to take only about 1/3 of a quart for the gauge to start to react where it has been sitting just above the red mark. When you accelerate, the gauge should pull down. When you idle, the gauge should start to bump up again. If it doesn't, add a SMALL amount of oil and try again.

Jw