99three

I'm just gauging what the oil consumption threshold would be before considering repairs.

goofballdeluxe

I may very well be wrong, but I believe the owners manual says 1 qt./1000 miles is OK. Anything less may be OK too, but that's a judgement call.

RallyJon

1.5 liters per 1000 km is the "official" from Porsche number in the factory manual.

That translates to 1.59 quarts per 621 miles, or 1 quart per 391 miles.

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

FWIW,..I tell people that when oil consumption reaches 800 miles/qt, its time to fix it,...

BobbyT

I think that many Porsches tend to "consume" oil if they are constantly kept topped off to the upper mark on the dipstick. The spit out that top pint or so, somehow, and therefore seem to be using oil. The seven Porsches I've owned over more years than I want to admit all seemed happier with the oil halfway between the two dipstick marks. I don't like to add a full quart, just a bit to bring the level up to where it needs to be.

That said, compared to parts and labor, oil is very inexpensive, so if the car runs okay and isn't making huge smoke, why rebuild it?

Bearclaw

I believe I've even read "to 1 qt./1000km". Even 1 qt./1000 mi. is like a two-cycle to me. On any other car, you'd be digging into it to see where all the oil is going.
There seems to be a wide range of acceptability in oil consumption in these cars, but there's a wide range of usage patterns, too. And it's funny how two of these cars with the same miles and maintenance can have wildly different oil usage. Mine has hardly used a drop in the 2500 mi. since my last oil change. I personally think if my oil usage exceeded a quart every 1500-1800 miles, I'd be digging into it (or getting my wallet ready to).

rome

I decided to do my top end when my oil consumption was at the 6-700 mile/qt mark (even though car only had 30K on the clock).

Now it burns no where near that much oil, so the valves clearly needed to be replaced.

JPS

Steve...how does that number change if the car is less of a daily driver and more of a drive to the track, DE, drive back car?

Reddy Kilowatt

I don't know diddly, but it seems like the answer is "it depends on what's causing it, and what negative impacts result."

99three

OK...it's understood in the owner’s bible that the difference between the top and bottom marks of the dipstick is equivalent to 1.7 liters. Is it safe to assume that the lower half of the dipstick equals to roughly 1 liter?

99three

Amazing! Would you mind sending me more info on this.

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

For me, it doesn't change the basic issue that such levels of oil consumption usually reflects severely worn guides. Given the big mess I see inside such engines from the carbonized oil and its direct effect on increased propensity for detonation, I tell people not to postpone repairs.

The consequences can get a lot more expensive.

Garth S

For some views on determining true oil consumption rates ( due to mechanical issues vs. aspiration losses), check this link. Hope it helps ...

JPS

That was a pretty interesting link...I'm certainly guilty of micromanaging the oil, but mostly based upon the gauge. Steve, do you concur with the link in the post directly above? (Thanks for answering my previous Q, btw, Steve).

g_murray

+1 on letting the oil level, on the dipstick, 'go down to the middle level', and to stop constantly trying to play 'catch up' with 'keeping it (constantly) topped up'. You will drive yourself crazy!

My oil-level gauge (Euro spelling!) is in the red at 'cold' but then wakes-up and then stays around the 4 o'clock mark during normal driving. A check of the dipstick, even, now after 3000 miles, she's still 'in the middle'. (No external leaks either).

As a pilot, we're constantly being told by our mechanics (A & P) NOT to 'fill to the top' the airplane (horizontally opposed air-cooled) engines with oil. The 'top percentage oil level', so to speak, just gets 'blown out' during normal usage leaving you with an oil level that stays constant for a longer period of time.

Definite similarities here methinks.

Gerry