Sean Hamilton

Dipstick - How low is too low?
I checked my oil today and it was off the stick! I immediately put 4 litres of Mobil 1 in. The first litre still didn't register but added another 3 litres which brought it up to Max on the stick, and 3/4 on the dash guage.
I feel such a dipstick myself for slacking off on this most basic maintenance check.
Stupid! I'm too used to modern vehicles that go between services for an oil check, change or top up.
I'm deservedly worried now that I may have caused some damage or premature wear. <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />

Cheers,
Sean.
1980 Hellblaumetallic SC Targa.

Steve Zitelli

How did you check your oil? The car should be idling at operating temp and should be between the high and low mark om the dipstick.

Rick Lee

Do you have serious leaks or excessive consumption issues? Check your oil every weekend. Most 911's like the oil level to be dead center between the two tick marks on the dipstick. 3/4 to max is actually about .5l too much oil. So, if you added 4l, which I think was .5 too much, you were 3.5l low. Depending on how much you drove on that oil level, you probably don't have to worry about any engine damage. These cars take a lot of oil and can operate healthily on less than normal capacity. But I'd be looking for what caused your level to get that low in the first place.

Sean Hamilton

Thanks for the quick response guys.
Yes Steve, I checked - as per the book - op' temp, @ idle.
Rick, I calc'd the consumption @ 0.5 Ltr's per 800 - 1000 Klm's. How does that sound, normal?
Okay - so mid between the high/low marks is about right.
So, should I drain the excess 0.5 litre off to bring it down from the max' mark?
Or is it safe drive it off for the next 800 klm's?

Cheers,
Sean.
1980 Hellblaumetallic SC Targa.

Rick Lee

I think factory specs say 1 litre per 1000km is ok. (That's a little high for my comfort.) So you're well within those specs. But it looks like you let it go far too long without checking. I keep a log book of date, mileage, brand and amount of oil added -- for every time I put ANY oil at all in the car. I wouldn't let it go more than 500 km without checking.

Cary E

To take out the excess. Use a suction pump. BTDT.
Becareful not to bang on the float arm.

It's like a grease gun, but work backwards. $10-$12 at the auto parts store. You'll need it when you change the gear box fluid. Money well spent.

Jdub

The car will tell you if you put too much oil in it. Rough running, etc. I would drive it and keep checking your oil every week to see where it settles out - these cars have a "happy" level they maintain on their own if the engine is tight.

If you do notice erratic running, you may have slurped some oil via the oil breather tube to the back of the rubber plenum between your sensor plate (on the right, the round thing) and your throttle body (also called butterfly valve; where the rubber plenum goes to and where you adjust your throttle).

It is a good idea to unhook the breather hose at the midpoint (follow the tube from the back of the oil filler cap to the first connection) and let it drain into a cup or rag. Remove the plenum and clean it, then clean the sensor plate by GENTLY wiping away residual oil on the top, sides, and the bottom. Remember that the sensor plate does not sit flush on the "bowl" but should have some lift. That is why it is best to support it underside as you wipe it down, then edge around it best you can.

Good luck,
Jw