Proper Oil Level??
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From: Georgetown, TX
Proper Oil Level??
I just had the oil changed for the first time in my 03 TT. By adding 9 quarts, the level on the gage (when warmed up and on a level surface) is halfway between the max and min marks. I asked the mechanic if this was correct and he pointed out that it was the same as with my 964 or 993. The optimum amount was halfway between the marks. Fill to the max mark, and you will burn more oil, particularly at start-up.
I followed this approach with both of my previous 911's, but am curious as to what oil level others run and what their experience has been.
Thanks,
I followed this approach with both of my previous 911's, but am curious as to what oil level others run and what their experience has been.
Thanks,
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From: Georgetown, TX
Gents,
My 10 experience with the 964 and 993 did indeed indicate that if the oil was filled to the midpoint on the dipstick the car burned oil at a slower rate. I am just curious if this is also true of the newer 996TT engines.
And yes, I'm fully aware that the engine has a dry sump.
Regards,
My 10 experience with the 964 and 993 did indeed indicate that if the oil was filled to the midpoint on the dipstick the car burned oil at a slower rate. I am just curious if this is also true of the newer 996TT engines.
And yes, I'm fully aware that the engine has a dry sump.
Regards,
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 8
From: Jupiter
My car tends to use oil faster as the level gets lower! 
But this always seems to happen when I'm in some distant land, have run out of the Mobil One I brought with me and finding more is going to be next to impossible.
Seriously though, I don't think the measure is quite linear.
As for smoking, etc. ... the level in the engine will always be the same. There are pumps which scavenge the oil back to the header tank. Those scavenging pumps will pick up whatever oil they find. The level of the oil is the level in the header tank and I'm not aware of any direct way that this oil can get to the exhaust.
Stephen
But this always seems to happen when I'm in some distant land, have run out of the Mobil One I brought with me and finding more is going to be next to impossible.
Seriously though, I don't think the measure is quite linear.
As for smoking, etc. ... the level in the engine will always be the same. There are pumps which scavenge the oil back to the header tank. Those scavenging pumps will pick up whatever oil they find. The level of the oil is the level in the header tank and I'm not aware of any direct way that this oil can get to the exhaust.
Stephen
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Track Day
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Oconomowoc WI.
My experience has been identical to Stephen's (FixedWing) except all of my added oil has been Mobil 1, 0-w40.
"
My car tends to use oil faster as the level gets lower!
But this always seems to happen when I'm in some distant land, have run out of the Mobil One I brought with me and finding more is going to be next to impossible.
Seriously though, I don't think the measure is quite linear.
As for smoking, etc. ... the level in the engine will always be the same. There are pumps which scavenge the oil back to the header tank. Those scavenging pumps will pick up whatever oil they find. The level of the oil is the level in the header tank and I'm not aware of any direct way that this oil can get to the exhaust."
Stephen
"
My car tends to use oil faster as the level gets lower!
But this always seems to happen when I'm in some distant land, have run out of the Mobil One I brought with me and finding more is going to be next to impossible.
Seriously though, I don't think the measure is quite linear.
As for smoking, etc. ... the level in the engine will always be the same. There are pumps which scavenge the oil back to the header tank. Those scavenging pumps will pick up whatever oil they find. The level of the oil is the level in the header tank and I'm not aware of any direct way that this oil can get to the exhaust."
Stephen
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 8
From: Jupiter
Originally posted by cjv
Stephen, your turbo's are cooled by your engine oil. There is also a small oil tank near each turbo. If these tanks do not drain fast enough or to much oil is feed, then oil is induced through the hot side turbo bearing.
For some reason Porsche uses a much smaller tank on the passanger side turbo than they do on the drivers side turbo. 
Stephen, your turbo's are cooled by your engine oil. There is also a small oil tank near each turbo. If these tanks do not drain fast enough or to much oil is feed, then oil is induced through the hot side turbo bearing.
For some reason Porsche uses a much smaller tank on the passanger side turbo than they do on the drivers side turbo.
Ok, well, I have no evidence one way or the other on this.
Stephen
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6
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From: Arizona
How odd that others would be using 9.5 quarts to get midway between the max and min marks when I use 8.5 quarts to get to the max full mark.
Wonder what the difference is.
I'm at about 6k miles now, and burning about a quarter of a quart every 2k or so miles.
I've always run the oil at the max fill mark... as it was when I received it from the dealership.
Joe West
Wonder what the difference is.
I'm at about 6k miles now, and burning about a quarter of a quart every 2k or so miles.
I've always run the oil at the max fill mark... as it was when I received it from the dealership.
Joe West
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: central florida
[i]
How odd that others would be using 9.5 quarts to get midway between the max and min marks when I use 8.5 quarts to get to the max full mark.
I'm at about 6k miles now, and burning about a quarter of a quart every 2k or so miles.
How odd that others would be using 9.5 quarts to get midway between the max and min marks when I use 8.5 quarts to get to the max full mark.
I'm at about 6k miles now, and burning about a quarter of a quart every 2k or so miles.
I take it that you've already changed your oil out? Your consumption rate is the lowest that I've heard of for a new P-car, you've got one tight engine! How are you enjoying that new TT?
I went through 3 liters in the first 3800 km, but don't know if that has started to taper off at all. It was some fun driving, but nothing like track usage.
Jeff
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 8
From: Jupiter
Originally posted by Joe West
How odd that others would be using 9.5 quarts to get midway between the max and min marks when I use 8.5 quarts to get to the max full mark. Wonder what the difference is.
How odd that others would be using 9.5 quarts to get midway between the max and min marks when I use 8.5 quarts to get to the max full mark. Wonder what the difference is.
Eight litres does it for me actually.
Stephen
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 8
From: Jupiter
Originally posted by cjv
I may stand corrected, but I believe the speed of oil return is governed by gravity. That is why these lines are sloped. I can tell you this. When I installed larger turbo's I not only had smoke but also a small leak on my passenger side turbo. The problem was the oil tank was too small for the turbo. The tank was enlarged and the problem disappeared. If you look at these tanks you will see the passanger side one is half the size of the driver side one. I don't have an explanation for this.
I may stand corrected, but I believe the speed of oil return is governed by gravity. That is why these lines are sloped. I can tell you this. When I installed larger turbo's I not only had smoke but also a small leak on my passenger side turbo. The problem was the oil tank was too small for the turbo. The tank was enlarged and the problem disappeared. If you look at these tanks you will see the passanger side one is half the size of the driver side one. I don't have an explanation for this.
Why gravity return? Everything else in the oil system is mechanically driven.
Stephen
