asofine

Hi all,

So I know that the oil level gauge in my 993 is only operational when the engine is on and in neutral, on flat ground, and my engine is warmed up.

Still, my oil level is in the "red" zone. My dip stick, however, indicates that I'm doing fine (the level is in the OK zone). I've actually been told that the gauge in my instrument cluster is more accurate than the dip stick itself (which seems odd to me). Any input?

As quick background...I recently purchased my car...it is a '96 C4S that only had 9,000 miles on it when I bought it. I had the oil changed anyhow, and immediately afterward I drove the car on a 1000-mile road trip, and in the few weeks since have driven another 500 miles or so. Not sure if my car would have burned oil off that quickly, although this is more driving than the car has ever seen!

Any feedback here would be useful.

Thanks in advance.

timothymoffat

Search "oil level gauge" and you'll find dozens of threads on this.

Short version: Not all oil level gauges function the same, each car will find it's own "sweet spot" on the dipstick, rely on dipstick 1st, engine and oil must be "hot" to get gauge to budge sometimes.

Arena993

Dipstick first, gauge second.

Mike

asofine

Thanks guys.

Sorry, I really should queue up the search function more often. Sometimes I forget.

My only trouble with the dip stick is that the thing is 10000 ft. long! Sometimes I'm not even sure if I'm getting the right reading. I assume if it's anywhere in the "twisty" section, I'm good to go? Still, it's kind of hard to see (I'm horrible with hands-on anything).

Arena993

Just guage the Dipstick to the gauge. For example my dipstick half way up the twisty is almost half way up on the gauge. So get you sweet spot on the dipstick and use the guage. Although I feel the stick is still the best and yes it is long.

Mike

asofine

That's what she said

Arena993

Somehow I knew that would come out wrong. But I guess you leave yourself open when you talk about dipsticks.

timothymoffat

Soooooo many possibilities.

And yes, I'm 41 with the maturity level of a 13 year old right now.

Arena993

Right now? You have a maturity level of 13 all the time :-)

vincer77

I had the same problem. So during my last oil change, I removed the level sensor out of th eoil tank and bent the lever rod "down" so it would register higher. So know my guage actually registers! I know have to calibrate it. There is an engine out thread by Bill993 explaining it.

Mike J

I have calibrated mine, its quite easy. Do it during an oil change, follow what Vince said. Its 6 small nuts, pull it out when the tank is empty (actually, think you can do it when the tank has oil), and bend the float down. Mine seems to be registering just fine now...if you bend it too far, there is a stop on the switch that will just pin the needle. Just try again.

Cheers,

Mike

Kika

I dunno Mike, I'm a little scared of bending my stick too far, at my age (45) it might not recover...

older than Tim, but on par with his maturity!

flyingchappy

Mike,
Where is the oil float switch located?

vincer77

On the oil tank, above where the oil filter is.

flyingchappy

Great! Thanks Vince.