i was just about to reply by saying im getting very worried i have added 600mls so far in total and needle hasnt moved the dipstick only shows 3/4 on one side not the other i thought i had probably damaged the engine
shall ijust carry on adding the oil if i end up putting in just over 1000mls does it mean engine is still ok

 

I just went and checked my oil using the dipstick because I haven't in ages (I always use the gauge) and I wanted to make sure what I was typing wasn't some figment of my imagination. Anyway, don't read the bottom side of the dipstick, it should be covered in oil. Only concern yourself with the top side of dipstick. So if the bottom side of your dipstick is showing 3/4 but not on the top side (where the marks are) keep on adding oil!

 

my oil is only on one side of the dip stick the other side is bone dry and its 3/4 way between the two spirals but gauge still reads 0 gauge must be working as when i switch the ignition off it falls from red to bottom

 

Yeah, don't worry, more oil.
Oil pressure is key, and you are good there so no worries.

 

cheers ill just keep adding

 

i ahvee added a 1000mls a can see oil on the lower spiral needle still hasnt moved

 

If you haven't driven the car after adding oil, go for a spin and let it idle for a couple of minutes and check again. If it's still on the lower spiral add 400-500 ml and you should be fine for another 1.000 km or so, these cars burn alot of oil.

 

cheers will check it tomorrow if i was 1500mls low would this have caused any problems to the engine

 

The car has 13 litres of oil, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

put in 2 litres and the needle is 1/4 of the way up and needle shows just above the 1/4 car drives smoother i just hope it hasnt caused any problems in the time its been low
should i add more or add enough that the needle reads half or dip stick reads half
if oil is added so that it reaches full on the dip stick what problems can this cause

 

I'm really glad to hear that you stuck with it and now have your oil at the proper level. I don't think there is a single dry-sumped Porsche owner that can say they haven't had a little confusion with the dipstick and the gauge at one time. There are still "gurus" on Rennlist that ignore one side of the dipstick and believe the oil gauge is inaccurate. The oil requirements at idle RPM are different from 5000RPM but with Porsche recommending we run our cars with only 6 quarts in the whole system I can't imagine running with 10 quarts causing any problems?

You can add a little more to try to get the level to half way which leaves enough room for heat expansion so that at 250F+ you'll be close to full. That also marks a spot to help you remember when calculating how much oil you are burning (or leaking). Just be careful not to over do it!

The problem running with an oil level at full and at a lower temperature (90C/194F) than what is considered maximum is that the oil will expand with heat and end up in the oil tank breather hose which empties into your intake manifold leaving a mess to clean up and the potential for a rough idle and annoying smoke, etc.

 

cheers for the help lads im leaving it as it is dipstick at half