I am a long time Boxster owner but upgraded to a 2004 996 Targa recently. It was time for my first oil change, and I had routinely done that on the Boxster with no issues. Today I changed the oil on the 996 for the first time. The filter was a little different, with a small spring insert. I transferred that to the new filter. When I re-installed the new filter, it was very tight when I got near the last threads, but it seemed normal. I took it out and re-installed it to make sure it was not crypts threaded. When I finished and put oil in it, I checked using the dash display and it was a little overfilled but using the dipstick it was just a little over. When I started the engine I quickly got a low oil pressure warning. I turned it right off. I checked the oil on the dipstick again and it was right in the middle where it should be now. So I tried again, same message quickly and I could see that the oil pressure was low on the pressure dial, under the 2 mark. The needle usually just stays near the top of the dial. So I have not tried again. Any ideas?
I used an STP oil filter which I now regret. There was a small spring that comes out with the filter and the opening in the new filter was smaller that the old one. I am considering ordering the correct oil filter and trying again. Or maybe I have it towed to my excellent Indy shop here and get it checked. Go ahead and flog me, but include a suggestion too. I have only had the engine running about 15-20 seconds and won't start it again until I do something different.

 

The spring is the oil filter bypass, part of it. There should also be a small plate in there as well. More than likely you botched it up and need to drop the filter canister again. You will only lose a little bit of oil but you must verify you got the plate and spring installed correctly. Upgrade to a spin on oil filter adapter.

 

And it is possible that you crushed the filter element since it did not go on easily, which it should. Get a new right filter element before going in again

 

Assume you have a stock filter setup, just drop the filter and recover the spring and disc/plate Joe mentioned. Throw all those away then install a new factory filter canister and paper filter element.

 

Additional info: when I check my oil level on the instrument panel is says that it will take 58 minutes and starts counting down. And crypt is cross of course

 

Ok thanks everyone, give me a day or two and I will update you.

 

The time delay is variable and is based on the last time the engine ran. The timer is supposed to ensure enough oil has returned to the sump to ensure an accurate reading.