Planning a trip to Houston next weekend and was going to change oil before I leave. Ordered filter, oil drain ring and filler gasket. Only the filter came today. Should I wait until after I return since I don't have the drain ring and filler gasket or should I go ahead and do it now without those two items?

I don't know when the last time the PO changed the oil (got the car 10/2). Level is fine, and looks ok.....how do you tell from a dip stick? I will be driving about 500 miles round trip much of it, as fast as I can go (freeway), some stop and go.

One other question, not related. Need to put radar detector in but, not sure where to plug it in. Lighter may not work. Suggestions? I may need to rig something up.

Thanks

 

On the oil change, I would go ahead. If a leak develops you can always replace ring or gasket upon your return. If they're not leaking now they probably won't.
I think the lighter only works when the key is on. Plug the detector in, turn on detector, turn on ignition and you'll know.
If not, I'll let someone like Allan suggest the best place for the hot lead.

 

As long as there is a ring on the drain plug now, don't worry. Worst case; it drips a few drops when warm. Just clean it well. If you're really worried you can anneal it with a torch or scruf it with some medium sandpaper.

The filter and oil are the important parts of an oil change. I hope you bought Mahle or Mann. Use oil with a viscosity of 5W40 or above... no 0Wxx and no xW30

 

What's a "filler gasket"? I don't think I've ever changed on of those.

 

I changed the oil and filter on my car 2 or 3 times before I got a 'washer' for the oil drain plug. No worries at all.

I assume the oil filler gasket is the O-ring inside the filler cap?...........if so, don't worry about it.

If you don't know when the oil was last changed, change the oil and filter then you've piece of mind.

Enjoy the ride.

 

Thanks guys. This is all new to me (I have changed oil in other cars). I usually only change the filter and the the oil. I had read that one should change the filter, oil drain ring and the gasket for the oil filler at each oil change.

I am good to go. No leaks now. Hope there will be no leaks after.

Got Porsche filter from 928intl. I will be using 15w50 Mobile 1.

South Texas can be tough. 59 degrees this morning and 88 this afternoon and it is the middle of October!!!! That's a cold front.

 

Only worry about the filler gasket if it's leaking.

 

minus 3C tonight and barely 7C tomorrow; add wind rain and snow Only 6 mths to go.

 

Thought all filters included the plug crush washer, am I mistaken? I remember ordering spares my first time and thinking "Doh"

 

Nope, just friendly 928 vendors.

 

Good to know! Not that I'll be ordering from any other suppliers.

 

Uh-oh. Last change I did I put in Mobil 1 0W40 which seems to be the standard version here in UK.

My 88 S4 engine has 127,000 miles. Compression good (200psi or just over) in all cylinders except one where it's 180psi.

So is the 0W40 too thin when cold for adequate protection? I've read loads of posts about this and think I've even seen official Porsche advice somewhere which said 0W40 was OK for all engines of my age.

 

After several bad experiences I now use a Pela, these are mainly used for marine engines, but work just as well on a 928.

 

I used those on my boat but would never use it on the car. All of the oil never gets sucked out.

 

I wouldn't worry about that too much, since you're putting in so much new oil. I mean, how much would be left behind? Half a liter seems like a lot, but even working with that amount, once it's diluted/refreshed with another 7 liters, that half-liter should be insignificant in terms of the oil's performance. Maybe if you planned on running your oil to its bitter, broken-down end it *might* hasten that moment, but who does that?

Also, I've seen it stated that the vacuum pump is the service manual procedure for some modern Mercedes Benz models, so it makes you wonder how much of an issue residual oil can be.