95 C4 993

Which one is it?

jnx

Actually, I used about 10 1/2 qts. Changed both filters and removed both plugs. That took the level to about half way up the twisted section of the dipstick when engine was hot and level/running.

95 C4 993

According to my paperwork, they used 10 quarts and my dipstick level is dead even with the top spiral and my guage is just off the charts-unlike anything I have ever seen in 3 years. The oil is quage, although not completely reliable, is just going off the charts when Im driving. All the way up and past the max full.

Its a little weird to me right now because when your seeing things you have never experienced before, one questions. My dipstick oil level has alwasy been 1/2 to 3/4 but never all the way to the top.

Will take a little closer look this morning.

jnx

If it's at the top of the dipstick I would drain some oil. You can remove the engine drain plug to let some out, not a difficult thing to do. You can search and find many threads about this topic.

BobbyT

You can also draw out some oil via the oil filler neck with a pump, which you can get at your FLAPS for under $10. Save the pump for when you replace the transmission oil.

ppressle

I used 10.3 or so qts with mine. Reads in the middle of the dipstick, guage doesn't move too much.

Pete

95 C4 993

My gauge is off the charts and the oil is over the top of the spiral from what I can tell. At an idle, which has never, ever, ever, ever, ever, reached more than 1/2 way and its now almost all the way to a top of the gauge.

I didnt change the oil but rather a Porsche shop.

chris walrod

This is the reason. Shops [that dont know much about these cars] tend to 'fill 'er up' when changin oil. The 993 likes to be around mid-stick or less.

993inNC

I believe the book calls for 12.4 quarts if you do a complete service (drain the cooler lines, filters, etc)

95 C4 993

The shop owner races Porsches, drives Porsches, works on Porsches, does body work and paints them. They had at least 4 of them in the shop and been doing this for 20+ years.

Im having issues reading the dipstick. I know its at the level is at the top of the spiral and appears to be maybe over. My eyes are playing tricks on me after the top of the spiral.

But my concern is that I have never taken my oil level further than 2/3 the way up the dipstick and the paperwork says only 10 quarts of oil were added. So if 10 quarts of oil equate to about 1/2 of the dipstick, why is my oil level at, or possibly over, the top of the spiral?

chris walrod

The variable here can be as simple as how long the car was allowed to drain. You'd be amazed at the difference of draining oil until most of it is out, vs. letting it sit for some time to drain. Shops need to get jobs done quickly, so they dont necessarily have the time to let cars sit and drain completely.

Honestly, there is a lot of oil in these cars, so getting it ALL out isnt really that important, especially when increased oil change intervals are commonplace.

96C4S

mine is the same as yours with three seperate oil changes and no problems

911C2

From the sound of things most of you do not drain the Cooler. So I have two questions.

1 How do you get the small oil filter out w/o removing the cooler line just bellow it.

2 why would you not just pull one more bolt out to drain the oil in the cooler.

Am I doing something wrong. It takes me a good 2 hours to do an Oil change, with a lift and real tools. But I drain oil in 3 places. The drain plug on teh tank, the drain plug on the engine case and the oil cooler line.

I then pour 9 quarts of oil in, pull the ignitio coil wires and crank her over for about 10 seconds. I attach the coil wires and start her up. Ler her run till operating temp and add oil watching the gauge ont eh dash and the dipstick. I was told by the porsche mechanic at the dealership the two guages need to be pointing to each other. (oil level increases as oil temp increases)
I have doen 4 oil changes on my own now and not had a problem.

95 C4 993

I do not do my own oil changes and have a Porsche shop do them. Not your every day run of the mill shop but these guys drive, race, build, and work on Porsches.

After draining about 2/3 of a quart ( I orginally I stated 3/4 but its 2/3) , Im about to about 3/4 way up the spiral on the dip stick, which is fine. There is nothing I have read or received feedback that says that being either 3/4 or 1/2 up the spiral is going to hurt anything. That difference is probably no more than up to 1/2 quart.

I do not believe my oil was filled past the top of the spiral. It was right at the top but I dont think that really posed any threats.

I have heard and been told 9.5 quarts, 10 quarts, and up to 10.2 quarts. From everything I have gathered, staying anywhere from the top of the spiral to the near the bottom of the spiral is ok. Right in the middle seems to be the ideal place but if your a little above or a little below the middle, is safety zone.

Now if I have a nightmare tonight that Im driving my car and oil start pouring into the car, its going over my head, I start to swim in it, and gasping for air while Im driving, I may drain some more.

Thats my story and Im sticking to it. :-)

Thanks for all the feedback.

jnx

Your paperwork states they charged you for 10 quarts. You do not really know how much they put in, or didn't drain. If you are at 1/2 to 3/4 on the spiral of the dipstick at operating temp I would guess that you are ok at that level.