dryadsdad

While not overly inconvenient, it's not exactly wonderful to check the oil on our 993. What I wonder is if it's really needed to do so using the dipstick.

Our car has an oil level gauge which I suppose is standard. When we start out, our gauge shows between 3/4 and 1/2 on the gauge implying the car has 'sumped' while sitting for the few days to a week in between uses. That's expected of any dry sump vehicle.

After a bit of running, the scavenging pump has its way and the gauge reads full or almost full.

To me that sounds like the gauge is doing its job accurately making the need to check the oil on the dipstick redundant. So is this true or do I still need to rely on the dipstick? If so, what does the oil level gauge do?

cpdjfd107

Your gauge should never read 3/4 or full!!!! While the gauge can definitely not be accurate, you should rely on the dipstick and check it on an even surface while the car is running and warmed up (after a drive). Keep the oil in the middle of the twisty part on the dipstick. On a working gauge the middle of the dipstick should read about half way on the gauge. There is a ton of info on oil level threads on here. Even though it is a pain once in a while, most people on here will tell you the dipstick is the only accurate way to check oil level.

dryadsdad

OK. I'll search on oil level here. Thanks.

cmat

The only meaningful oil level check is with the car fully warmed, sitting level with the engine running. For me, under these conditions, my oil guage reads midrange(3:00) when the level in the dipstick is also midway. If you check both ways over a period of time you can be more confident of your gauge. If I read your post correctly, you may be overfilled.

dryadsdad

When I checked the oil using the dipstick it seemed over filled to me too. I have one of those evacuation pumps because that's the only practical way to drain the oil from several motorcycles. What I'll do now is have more faith in my eye on the dipstick and less on the P.O. and check it again draining a bit out of the filler neck if needed.

I read a bunch of posts similar to mine after doing a search on this forum. Next time I'll search first and ask later

cpdjfd107

[QUOTE=dryadsdad;7905831]When I checked the oil using the dipstick it seemed over filled to me too. I have one of those evacuation pumps because that's the only practical way to drain the oil from several motorcycles. What I'll do now is have more faith in my eye on the dipstick and less on the P.O. and check it again draining a bit out of the filler neck if needed.

I read a bunch of posts similar to mine after doing a search on this forum. Next time I'll search first and ask later [/QU

Depending on what oil you use its very difficult to read on the dipstick. I use brad penn. I find it a little easier to read because of its color. If its dark and I want to check it I place the dipstick against a paper towel on one side. Try whatever works best for you.

timothymoffat

If your oil level gauge reads anything when the car is cold, it is likely overfilled. Car must be fully up to temp which takes a good drive to achieve. Then check your dipstick with the car running. With the dipstick somewhere above halfway on the twisty part, your gauge should give some kind of reading. NOT ALL GAUGES READ THE SAME. This is the frustrating part. Find the right level on your dipstick and see how it relates to your oil level gauge. Some gauges are very accurate, some only "come to life" when the oil level is right to the top. Each car also seems to have a "sweet spot" that it likes.

dryadsdad

Took me a few searches before I found out that Brad Penn wasn't Sean Penn's brother or something.

dryadsdad

I'll check it more closely next time we drive. The car is new to us and so far my wife's been driving every time from cold with me peeking. I may be seeing things wrong.

Next launch, which is tomorrow, I'll drive from cold and also plan on stopping for fuel after the car is fully warmed up. I'll also check the dipstick then and maybe start looking for Brad Penn at the auto stores. The PO used Mobil 1. I"ve never heard of Brad Penn oil or realized there is an oil which is light in color so easily seen in the dark on the dipstick.

I sure would like to find oil with zinc left in it. I kinda sorta figured that was illegal due to pollution regs.

ble2011

Ok, I may get blasted on this, but I need to ask. I can't see how there's a problem if the oil is overfilled in a dry sump system. The oil resides in a separate tank, not in the sump of the engine. If the oil is overfilled in a regular engine, I understand all the issues. But, if it's in a separate tank, how's that affect the engine? At the very worst, oil will just overflow out of the filler tube. All you would have a mess to clean, but no damage to the engine.

shadow993

If you over fill the oil ... it will spit out all over your engine. I don't know of any issue short of "FIRE"

dryadsdad

OTOH, after hundreds of miles and some hard running, we're not getting any overspill so maybe even if it's overfilled - no penalty. Good point ble2011.

cpdjfd107

A lot of Rennlisters like BRad Penn because of the amount of zinc or ZDDP in has in it. I made the switch. Just search Brad Penn and you will get a lot of reviews and recommendations. I know Steve Weiner recommends it. Its not glow in the dark oil or anything, but it is green and it seems to show up on the dipstick a little easier.

crg53

Good chance you will NOT find Brad Penn in any Auto Store, try this link for your nearest distributor: http://locator.bradpennracing.com/Default.aspx

NC TRACKRAT

We've got an independent hardware store about 5 miles from the house that carries Brad Penn. Having too much oil is just as bad as not enough. It will create excess pressure on seals, it will get sucked up into the intake and re-gurgitate back up the oil fill tube. When you're talking about a system capacity of 12 qt., it's better to be a qt. low than a qt. too high.