Oil spill?
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From: Kansas City
Oil spill?
My car was a little low on oil yesterday - the oil came up to 1/4 the twisted part of the dipstick. I added a little over a half quart. At least I think I did. As I was pouring, it backed up. I have a pathetic funnel and have to really angle it to get the oil in. Last night i noticed a big oil smell driving to dinner. Today, I was driving along and once the car got really warmed up I noticed a fair amount of blue smoke from the back of the car. I pulled over and noticed oil leaking down on the ground and spilling on the exhaust. I drove it home and took some pictures.
I checked the oil level and it is about 2/3 up the twist, so I don't think it is overfilled. I tried to mop up whatever oil I can find. Any other suggestions? Could it have overfilled? How would you know?
Thanks
I checked the oil level and it is about 2/3 up the twist, so I don't think it is overfilled. I tried to mop up whatever oil I can find. Any other suggestions? Could it have overfilled? How would you know?
Thanks
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From: CA>Oklahoma!
Well, I'm probably asking the obvious, but do you check the oil with the engine idling for a minute or so, fully warmed up, parked on a level surface?
It is easy to overfill these cars, and then they spit the oil up and make a real mess.
The little accordion tube in the filler neck helps prevent spills, if you pull it out and then pour very slowly and carefully from the oil bottle.
I try to keep my oil level halfway between the "add oil" and "too full" marks...
It is easy to overfill these cars, and then they spit the oil up and make a real mess.
The little accordion tube in the filler neck helps prevent spills, if you pull it out and then pour very slowly and carefully from the oil bottle.
I try to keep my oil level halfway between the "add oil" and "too full" marks...
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From: Kansas City
I checked the oil both times after driving about 20 minutes and on a level surface (in my garage).
I read about the tube in the neck of the filler tube but I can't find anything that pulls out. What am I missing?
I read about the tube in the neck of the filler tube but I can't find anything that pulls out. What am I missing?
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From: yorba linda, ca
The higher the oil level, the slower the oil fills into the oil tank. So, its really easy to do this when filling an almost full oil tank.
Just spray 409 degreaser (or the like) and wipe-up all you can. The more time you spend doing so, the better in the long run. It will take some time for the oil to burn-off the cat.
Just spray 409 degreaser (or the like) and wipe-up all you can. The more time you spend doing so, the better in the long run. It will take some time for the oil to burn-off the cat.
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From: Dahlonega, Georgia
dmw
Was the smoke coming out of the exhaust or from around the outside of the engine? If it was coming out of the exhaust, then you probably did overfill it, but if it was coming out from under the car or out around the wheel wells, then you were probably burning off oil that spilled on the heater boxes and exhaust system.
If I remember correctly, the difference between "LOW" and "FULL" on the dipstick is about 1 1/2 quart.
Like Bobby T said, the car needs to be fully warmed up before checking the oil...In the case of my car, the oil temp gauge has to have gone above 8:00 o'clock and settled back down at 7:30 or I don't get an accurate reading.
You asked about how to know about overfilling....I notched my dipstick to make it easier to read. When I add oil, I do it at 2-3 oz intervals....Let it settle in...Check the stick...Add 2-3 more oz...Check...Etc. I takes me almost as long to top up the oil as it does to check and adjust the air in the tires.
Was the smoke coming out of the exhaust or from around the outside of the engine? If it was coming out of the exhaust, then you probably did overfill it, but if it was coming out from under the car or out around the wheel wells, then you were probably burning off oil that spilled on the heater boxes and exhaust system.
If I remember correctly, the difference between "LOW" and "FULL" on the dipstick is about 1 1/2 quart.
Like Bobby T said, the car needs to be fully warmed up before checking the oil...In the case of my car, the oil temp gauge has to have gone above 8:00 o'clock and settled back down at 7:30 or I don't get an accurate reading.
You asked about how to know about overfilling....I notched my dipstick to make it easier to read. When I add oil, I do it at 2-3 oz intervals....Let it settle in...Check the stick...Add 2-3 more oz...Check...Etc. I takes me almost as long to top up the oil as it does to check and adjust the air in the tires.
Last edited by TMc993; Jan 9, 2007 at 10:47 PM.
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From: Kansas City
The oil I saw was not coming out of the exhaust, although there was a drip still coming down onto the exhaust after I drove the car for 30 minutes or so. I mopped up everything I could and then drove at 3k rpm for about 10 minutes and don't see any new oil in the engine compartment.
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From: Denver, Colorado
I feel your pain, the same thing happened to me except the cap was not threaded correctly so the oil seeped down to exact same spot. I used some degreasers, dishwashing soap, 303 cleaner, etc. It takes time and patience. As others have mentioned, I would definitely take the time and clean it.
I used a bunch of rags and a long screwdriver to try and get down into the area where it is dripping onto the exhaust. Also under under the car and clean up the pool that is probably sitting on top of the manifolds. Good luck!
I used a bunch of rags and a long screwdriver to try and get down into the area where it is dripping onto the exhaust. Also under under the car and clean up the pool that is probably sitting on top of the manifolds. Good luck!
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From: Kansas City
Is there a rough guide saying how far below the top of the filler neck the oil should be? I am going to remove some oil with a tube from the top and want to know how much I should remove before starting the car again. If it is overfilled, I don't want to run the car.
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From: Austin TX
If you answered this question I didn't see it. Did you check the oil with the engine at idle? If not you certainly could have overfilled but 1/2 quart won't cause a problem. There should be no oil below the filler neck because it should all be in the oil tank.
I would remove a quart and then check the oil and fill per directions in the owner's manual. A 1/2 quart or even 2 quarts is not a big deal in a 993 as you have lots of oil being circulated. As a rule I always fill my 1/2 quart low.
I would remove a quart and then check the oil and fill per directions in the owner's manual. A 1/2 quart or even 2 quarts is not a big deal in a 993 as you have lots of oil being circulated. As a rule I always fill my 1/2 quart low.
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From: CA>Oklahoma!
DMW,
The easiest and cleanest way to remove some oil from the tank is with a little pump. You can get one from your local parts store for under $10. Sta-Lube brand is a good one.
You may be missing the accordion tube from the filler neck. The part number is 993 207 363 50, Porsche calls it a "bellows".
The easiest and cleanest way to remove some oil from the tank is with a little pump. You can get one from your local parts store for under $10. Sta-Lube brand is a good one.
You may be missing the accordion tube from the filler neck. The part number is 993 207 363 50, Porsche calls it a "bellows".
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From: Kansas City
I checked the oil after filling after having driven for about 20 minutes and it wasn't over the twist on the metal stick. I am going to pull out about a quart and then go for a drive and check it again.
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The oil bellows
Originally Posted by BobbyT
DMW,
The easiest and cleanest way to remove some oil from the tank is with a little pump. You can get one from your local parts store for under $10. Sta-Lube brand is a good one.
You may be missing the accordion tube from the filler neck. The part number is 993 207 363 50, Porsche calls it a "bellows".
The easiest and cleanest way to remove some oil from the tank is with a little pump. You can get one from your local parts store for under $10. Sta-Lube brand is a good one.
You may be missing the accordion tube from the filler neck. The part number is 993 207 363 50, Porsche calls it a "bellows".
I find it odd that oil-cooled cars are so darned hard to top off or refill. You can't just turn the oil bottle upside down and go off to do someting else and then come back. Gets a little old when putting in 10 or quarts after a change.