rekstein

Newbie. Just took a newly purchase 1988 911 Cabriolet out after a long winter and noticed the oil temperature gauge was all over the place. Can anyone steer me in the right direction as to what to check first? Checked the oil level everything seems ok. Popped the gauge out from the dash and everything seems connected. Really bummed as this this the first time I took out the car. Help!!!!! Someone! Needs some friends!!!!!

rusnak

Welcome, and congratulations.

You might be referring to the oil level gauge, which is read after the engine is warm, idling on level ground. It moves all over while driving down the highway.

rekstein

Looked at the manual enclosed with the car. You were right. Its the oil level unit. It just scared the c___ out of me. There were lot of hill were I was driving and it would swing high and low. It was very frightening and confusing. I broke into a cold sweat as I thought the engine was going to overheat. Thanks for replying. I owe you one

dshepp806

Well,..how did the TEMP gauge do? That's the one to watch!

Doyle

rusnak

Always keep an eye on the oil pressure too. The oil pressure will climb with revs, but it is regular and predictable. The oil level gauge sort of dances around.

Billm

I had the same panic with my oil level gauge when I was driving it home after buying it in Myrtle Beach and has 2000 mikes ahead of me. Not a fun feeling! Stopped and read a manual to see what the gauge was, checked the oil level regularly (every fuel fill up) and was happy to see less than 1 L of oil used in the run.

rekstein

Thanks for all the replies. Need to drive the car some more to supply the temperature information but it seems to be steady at the low end of the dial. My question is on oil pressure? it seems to be between 4 and 5 on the dial. Is this normal?

Edgy01

Also, check the ground. These cars are getting older and the grounds need to be checked regularly.