Empty oil tank
07-14-2018, 08:11 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Empty oil tank
So Its been 3 months since I ran the 993, and I thought id change the oil change today as its been a year and a half and 3K miles ( my first change on this gen car). I cracked the oil tank plug and expected a deluge but got maybe a quarter quart. Not at all what I wanted to see this evening. I wont get a chance to drain the block until Wednesday but even with oil draining back to the pump, I cant imagine that much oil hiding in the engine short of every bore being filled w oil. I did not start the car prior to opening the drain plug.
Things done Before I put the car away:
1. new valve covers 2. Fisters.
After a 3 hour back country drive the #1 cylinder
exhaust valve lifter started getting noisy ( verified w stethoscope and made all the right sounds idling vs high RPM) Oil levels from the dash were normal for my car and halfway on the gauge when idling in the garage on return.
Any leads on what else to investigate if 9 quarts of oil don't magically come out of the block Wednesday?
-Sleepless in South Carolina
Things done Before I put the car away:
1. new valve covers 2. Fisters.
After a 3 hour back country drive the #1 cylinder
exhaust valve lifter started getting noisy ( verified w stethoscope and made all the right sounds idling vs high RPM) Oil levels from the dash were normal for my car and halfway on the gauge when idling in the garage on return.
Any leads on what else to investigate if 9 quarts of oil don't magically come out of the block Wednesday?
-Sleepless in South Carolina
07-14-2018, 08:16 PM
#2
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Maybe you drained something other than the engine oil?
07-14-2018, 08:49 PM
#3
So Its been 3 months since I ran the 993, and I thought id change the oil change today as its been a year and a half and 3K miles ( my first change on this gen car). I cracked the oil tank plug and expected a deluge but got maybe a quarter quart. Not at all what I wanted to see this evening. I wont get a chance to drain the block until Wednesday but even with oil draining back to the pump, I cant imagine that much oil hiding in the engine short of every bore being filled w oil. I did not start the car prior to opening the drain plug.
Things done Before I put the car away:
1. new valve covers 2. Fisters.
After a 3 hour back country drive the #1 cylinder
exhaust valve lifter started getting noisy ( verified w stethoscope and made all the right sounds idling vs high RPM) Oil levels from the dash were normal for my car and halfway on the gauge when idling in the garage on return.
Any leads on what else to investigate if 9 quarts of oil don't magically come out of the block Wednesday?
-Sleepless in South Carolina
Things done Before I put the car away:
1. new valve covers 2. Fisters.
After a 3 hour back country drive the #1 cylinder
exhaust valve lifter started getting noisy ( verified w stethoscope and made all the right sounds idling vs high RPM) Oil levels from the dash were normal for my car and halfway on the gauge when idling in the garage on return.
Any leads on what else to investigate if 9 quarts of oil don't magically come out of the block Wednesday?
-Sleepless in South Carolina
07-14-2018, 08:55 PM
#4
Seared
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The 993's dry sump oiling system holds a total of ~12qts, The lion's share of that resides in the tank (with the rest distributed throughout the oil lines, oil cooler, engine case, filters, etc.
Either you removed something other than the tank drain, or something is blocking the drain inlet.
Andreas
Either you removed something other than the tank drain, or something is blocking the drain inlet.
Andreas
07-14-2018, 09:09 PM
#5
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Thread Starter
If the 15MM bolt below the thermostat housing is the correct bolt to drain the oil tank, then yes I drained the right tank. Is there any way something could interfere with drainage through the thermostat? Any history of that happening ?
07-14-2018, 09:59 PM
#6
Seared
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Does your filler neck still have the accordion extension installed? Over time, the plastic screen at the bottom breaks apart. I noticed that mine was cracked while doing my first 993 oil change 13 years ago. So I pulled it out, and flung it in the trash.
You could carefully remove the oil level sensor from the tank and investigate the level using a borescope, mirror, or flexible stick/rod or some sort.
Andreas
You could carefully remove the oil level sensor from the tank and investigate the level using a borescope, mirror, or flexible stick/rod or some sort.
Andreas
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07-14-2018, 11:30 PM
#8
Technical Guru
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Your experience is par for the course, my toys in the states can sit for a year at a time... Make sure your oil drain catch tank has ALL (vent and it's drain/pour openings) uncapped if it is a sealed container. The oil is all going to drain really quickly from the crankcase and will need to push a lot of air and really fast out of the catch tank. It will overflow quicker than you can possibly imagine. You'll be watching it and thinking, "this can't possibly flow over the sides".
07-15-2018, 04:22 PM
#10
Rennlist Member
if the oil was cold and the thermostat closed, would that hold back the oil in the lines & radiator? I've always changed my oil hot.
Otherwise it must be in the crankcase.
Otherwise it must be in the crankcase.
07-15-2018, 04:48 PM
#11
Drifting
most of the oil is sitting in the tank. Tstat opens line to front radiator. There myabe 1-2 quarts in the case.
07-18-2018, 02:49 PM
#14
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Thread Starter
Update: Most of it was sitting in the case it seems. ( i wonder how much would be in the cylinders) Im guessing about half of my 15 qt drain pan was filled. Tapping on the oil tank (I couldn't get a good angle through the sender access hole) it rings hollow, so i doubt anything is actually in there.
This leads me to wonder,
1. Assuming oil doesn't remain trapped in a few cylinders; was i actually running that low yet the oil gauge level remained middle of the gauge. 2. Did ( and if so, how much) the PO "trim" the sender gauge so its reads normal when low. Intentional or otherwise, this has me concerned. How much can that lever effectively be bent and still work?
2. Im assuming the oil cooler circuit remains at capacity via thermostat shutting off, so i figure 2.5 liters captive.
3. My two handed scale seems to think the drain container is half full ( will verify later) 7 quarts or so, i was possibly running 2 quarts low yet the gauge was registering in the middle
I do check the dipstick however the last time was probably 3 drives prior to this, with a month between each.
I plan on finishing this weekend once my oil return line o rings deliver.
This leads me to wonder,
1. Assuming oil doesn't remain trapped in a few cylinders; was i actually running that low yet the oil gauge level remained middle of the gauge. 2. Did ( and if so, how much) the PO "trim" the sender gauge so its reads normal when low. Intentional or otherwise, this has me concerned. How much can that lever effectively be bent and still work?
2. Im assuming the oil cooler circuit remains at capacity via thermostat shutting off, so i figure 2.5 liters captive.
3. My two handed scale seems to think the drain container is half full ( will verify later) 7 quarts or so, i was possibly running 2 quarts low yet the gauge was registering in the middle
I do check the dipstick however the last time was probably 3 drives prior to this, with a month between each.
I plan on finishing this weekend once my oil return line o rings deliver.
07-18-2018, 04:46 PM
#15
Rennlist Member
Always check the dipstick! Scary ..................