Critical Drew

I recently installed a brand new rebuilt 3.4 in my 99' C4 Tip.
At the completion of the install I poured in 9.5qts. of 10W40 Mobil 1.

My question is that the dipstick really isn't registering oil at all.??
Oil pressure is great during operation.

The digital oil level guage on the right side of the cluster seems to be reading that the oil is at the bottom of the range??

Am I reading this thing right?
Why isn't my dipstic showing any oil?

Macster

Couple of possible explanations.

You're not inserting the dipstick in the tube all the way.

The dipstick telltael is catching on something and not going all the way down even though the handle bottoms out during the insertion of the dipstick.

The dipstick is the wrong one for the engine.

The fresh oil is so pale it doesn't show up well on the dipstick telltale.

Sincerely,

Macster.

logray

All the stuff Macster said, PLUS...

My 1999 996 is exactly the same and takes about another half to one full quart. 9.5 is about the low mark or just below that.

Granted this was on a very dry engine (after I had done some engine repairs short of splitting the case) I had to add 10.5 quarts to get it to just over half way up the dipstick.

I don't recommend running it full though, add another half quart and it should register. If it doesn't then you have a problem.

Worst case if you over fill you can drain and refill again. Keep in mind the oil filter holds about .5 quart or a little less.

Make sure you are measuring on a level surface. I like to use my garage floor since it is just barely slanted.

Critical Drew

Thanks guys.
All of my measurements have been on my garage floor.
The dipstick is fully seated in the tube when I check. I examined the tube and its mounting location before installation of this motor so I know its not kinked or spaced off the block or anything.
The action of the stick is smooth and easy so it's hard for me to imagine that it's hanging up, but I do suppose it's possible.

I have considered whether or not the dipstic is correct for the engine. The plastic device on the end is Red. Sometimes the manufacturers color code them so you know if it's correct at first glance. I don't know if that's the case here.

I'm fairly certain that NO oil is showing on the stick. I've examined it closely and it's not wet to the touch or shiny at all.

I will probably try adding another .5qt, and a full qt if necessary.

Does everyone else's digital gauge read correctly?

logray

My 99' digital gauge is not as accurate is the dipstick, it probably needs to be replaced.

washington dc porsche

10w 40 or 0w 40?

Anyway, how long did you let the car sit before checking the dipstick?

Critical Drew

10W 40 and I've tried several times from several minutes to before starting in the morning.

logray

Mine is also red.

Do you see 014 54 stamped on the yellow finger hole?

That stands for 996 107 014 54, which is good for engines up to serial number 662 11795 (or for engines made up to part way through 2002).

That part has not been superseded, and is still valid.

Perhaps your engine had a deep sump installed?

logray

Oh, almost forgot about this, looks like I had the same question a while back.


http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic/33551-dry-engine-capacity

Macster

My info is a 'dry engine' requires approx. 10.25 liters of oil. That's 10.83 quarts if my calculator is correct.

If you put in 9.5 quarts the oil is over 1 quart low based on the above dry oil capacity of the engine. The dipstick and electronic oil level sensor only measure the last quart or so of oil in the engine. Well, last is not the right word. Maybe the uppermost quart or so.

If you are sure the dipstick's the right one and the dipstick tube is right for the engine and installed correctly and the electronic oil level sensor is installed correctly -- remember you said 'rebuilt' 3.4l engine which means someone's been at the engine and I always can't help but suspect this plays a role in the current issue -- then the oil level is just low.

Sincerely,

Macster.

Critical Drew

Thanks for the answers guys. This is why this board is such a great resource.
I'm going to go ahead and add 1 more qt. of oil to see if that brings me up on both accounts.

I'll also check for my dipstic ID to confirm it's correct.

I think I got my info for 9.5qts. from a PDF copy of the owners manual. That probably is a figure based on oil changes and not dry engines.

Out of Curiosity?: What are your resources Macster?

Macster

They vary.

Mainly I have hard copies of a couple of the factory manuals (Boxster, 996, 996 Turbo/GT3 -- 64lbs on sale for $300) and other reference manuals (OBD2 stuff for Boxsters, 996 Turbos, even for a Carrera GT just in case I win two lotteries in a row!) and some Porsche technicians that within reason will answer my questions, sometimes even printing out pertinent snippets of info from their sources/references.

Other times I investigate things myself. For instance I bought an oil level sensor/sender and cut it apart and with the help of an electrical engineer here at the office believe I know how the sensor works.

I also rely upon magazine articles and letters and such but sometimes this info is out of date or just plain wrong (though not maliciously wrong) so I try whevever possible to get confirmation from a 2nd source. Sometimes I can sometimes I can't.

Sincerely,

Macster.

soverystout

Why are you using 10w40? It' s not appropriate for the m96 engines.

No HTwo O

I was wondering this too.

I'd also suggest an early oil change at about the 1,000 mile mark. And include a Blackstone Labs UOA to establish your baseline.

KNS

According to the 2002 996 owners manual 10W 40 is one of the approved weights. I would assume that 99-01 is the same.