low oil level after 1 week! how possible?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 1
From: Houston
That is always how I have done it
Originally Posted by fabry
funny, i have just been told by the porsche dealer machanic, to check it in the morning.
The car is supposed to check itself when refueled, but I kind of wonder how this works since after refueling I usually get a message that it will take a long time to measure the oil level (no doubt to let the oil drain back into the pan).
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,143
Likes: 10
From: Spring, Texas (The Woodlands)
Also, be SURE that the ground is level....I have gotten in my car & had
the digital guage show a tick or two less than it had previously & realized
the car was not on level ground.
or you could just have them top it off & check for leaks......
the digital guage show a tick or two less than it had previously & realized
the car was not on level ground.
or you could just have them top it off & check for leaks......
Track Day
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
I purchased a Porsche certified 03 C4S last July with 12,300mi. It now has 15,700mi and I have used 5 ½ quarts of oil during this period = 620mi/quart. My dealer says consumption greater then 600mi/quart is the threshold for investigating the problem (and have Porsche pay for it). + They need to verify the consumption before any work is done by giving her a fresh oil change then waiting some period and draining the oil (again) to see if I am above or below the 600mi threshold. Taking her in Monday – we will see.
The car otherwise drives great / performance seams pefect. I do drive the car hard (after warm up of course) and don't mind all the refilling. My only concern is if there is something seriously wrong. Can any of the experts advise me on what may be causing this high consumption and what may be needed to correct the this?
The car otherwise drives great / performance seams pefect. I do drive the car hard (after warm up of course) and don't mind all the refilling. My only concern is if there is something seriously wrong. Can any of the experts advise me on what may be causing this high consumption and what may be needed to correct the this?
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
same thing happened when I bought my '02 c4s. Turned out the valve guides were worn and it needed a new engine. PPI's and CPO's mean nothing except that PCNA paid for the new engine (which was a good thing), but the car was still under factory warranty at the time so... I can't say they would of replaced the engine if it wasn't. Stealers will just about PPI anything and then when you have a problem with the car they charge it to PCNA. Seems like they got it down to a science.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 276
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, GA
Originally Posted by DCP
While I am sure measuring the oil at operating temperature is more consistent and precise, it seems like a bit of overkill to me.
Regarding oil burn rates. I topped off with a quart after ~5000 miles on the 996 (bought it with 15300, now has ~21000). My 964 with ~160k miles burns a quart around every 1000 miles. Well actually it probably burns about 3/4 of a quart and leaks the other 1/4 of a quart onto the garage floor, but it will hopefully be headed off for a rebuild soon.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 1
From: Houston
Originally Posted by rroobbcc
Oil will expand considerably as it warms up. In a car carrying as much oil as a 911 this could mean a difference of 1-2 quarts between the cold and warm volumes. Especially with the pre-996 air/oil-cooled 911s.
Now that that is clear, I find it had to believe thermal expansion of oil is that big on the water cooled engines with about 9 quarts of oil. If it were, I would see
differences in the warm and cold measurements where there was a quart or two more when warm. I have not seen such differences.
You can straighten me out now.
Race Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,159
Likes: 8
From: Chicagoland
Originally Posted by rroobbcc
Oil will expand considerably as it warms up. In a car carrying as much oil as a 911 this could mean a difference of 1-2 quarts between the cold and warm volumes. Especially with the pre-996 air/oil-cooled 911s. Measuring and topping off the oil when cold usually will result in an oil tank overflow (and VERY BIG mess) once the engine gets warm. In a car with only 4 quarts of oil, there is not enough volume increase to make a real difference, but our beloved 911s are a different story.
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Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 505
Likes: 3
From: ROW
If the car has been sitting at the dealer awhile being started and shut down after short periods of time, it could have absorbed alot of moisture which evaporated as soon as you started to drive the car. The difference between the middle level and bottom level on the gauge is about 1/2 quart. Common misconception is the electronic gauge measures all the oil in the engine - this is not true. It only measures the last quart. I would just top it up and get a longer history of consumption before freaking out. Enjoy your C4S!!
Track Day
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Thanks for the positive outlook. I also thought I needed to get a longer history, but after 5 1/2 quarts I started wondering about the possible scenarios. I do not think in my case moisture absorbition accounts for the consumption since the dealer did 15k oil change right before I purchased her and over the last 3,400mi I have had many long high speed runs.
If anything I am enjoying her too much - this is probably a consumption contributor.
If anything I am enjoying her too much - this is probably a consumption contributor.
