Stephane Dugal

Hi, I would like to know what you get from your oil pressure gauge. I have a '86 944 NA, and even though I looked everywhere on the Web, it is still unclear what the standard reading should be. I use Mobil 1 0w40, and here in Montréal Canada the weather is between 15C and 30C. My gauge shows 5 bars when cold, and when hot its bounces between 3 and 4 on idle. Stays at 5 when driving. Is that normal? Excuse my so-so english...

Aivar88

Seems good pressure. You can use a little thicker oil too if u have that warm weather. w50 is most popular and recommended by porsche.

sweetskillsrk

+1
I'd recommend 20W-50, but I started swapping to 10W-40 for the "dead of winter" months to help with oil pressure on startup. Your oil pressure seems fine, mine always runs at 5 when driving and at idle between 3 and 4 is fine as well. Porsche does recommend 20W-50, BUT everyone has an opinion about what weight to run in the 944, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. Regardless, your oil pressure is ok, so I wouldn't worry about it all.

Stephane Dugal

I'm confused about the oil.... Last year I called the nearest Porsche dealer to ask about it and he said they recommand 0W40....So many different answers everywhere!

Aivar88

Maybe the guy didnt know whats hes talking about. Porsche manual says also w50.
Anyway many use w40 oil and have no problems. I used 5w40 all season and now i have new sleeves in the block but i dont think oil was the only culprit, still will go w50 oil from now on.

V2Rocket

harveyf

Agree you oil pressure numbers seem fine. FWIW the shop manual specifies 4 bar at 3-4000 rpm. I would assume that is on a fully warmed up engine.

sweetskillsrk

+1 Maybe he was thinking about a newer model? Not sure. Either way, I would never put 0W-40 in my 944. You just did what they told you so that's on them, but I would definitely change to something thicker next oil change. Unfortunately, I've heard so many horror stories over the years about Porsche dealer service, so anything they tell you, verify it elsewhere as well. At the end of the day, a dealer is a dealer, some are great, some are no good. Either way, your oil pressure is fine so at this point, no harm, no foul.

Dan Martinic

Montreal between 15C and 30C? Oh my you need to check your thermostat. When I used to visit there any time between Nov and May, it would *always* be colder than when I left Toronto, and 15C would be a mid-day high lol

Anyway, I run 10w60 to keep my 170+ miles engine above 2 bar at idle. It does hit 4 bar at higher rpm so I guess I'm still in spec. Pulls strong.. gets reasonable mileage.. carry on...

Stephane Dugal

Montréal... Minus 30C in January and plus 30C in July 😵. That's why my 944 only goes out from May to mid October!