Blue997_1

Hey folks, I am a newish owner of a 2006 997.1 and I changed the oil for the first time last weekend. I let the oil drain completely and put in exactly 8.7 quarts with filter change, which is the recommended amount in the manual. After going for a 20 minute drive, the oil level reads at the top of the gauge, beyond the upper limit marker. I'm not getting any abnormalities when driving, and no warning lights. Has anyone else had this problem? I guess there are always tolerances with cars so maybe 8.7 for my car is just too much... would you guys drain some oil in this circumstance? And if so, how much should I drain before rechecking? Thanks!

Wayne Smith

I prefer running a bit low over a possible but high. AO damage can occur if too high.

I'd yank the filter and empty that amount. Then see what the reading is.

I'd also advise checking the level before draining and if OK, then only pour in what you removed.

By keeping a couple of empty oil jugs (for recycling) you can dump the used oil into them to measure the removed quantity before filling with new oil.

lowbee

I think 8.7 quart is too much to put in. Last time I let it drain for 30 minutes and put in 8 liter (8.45 quart) and it reads high. I had to undo the filter and dump its content and now my car reads 3 bars... the filter holds 250-300 ml, that's (0.26 - 0.32 quart)

marucus1

could you take a picture of the gauge when you mention above and beyond the upper limit marker

jfort

NuttyProfessor

Most of the "Porsche experts" say that keeping the oil level in the middle of the electronic oil dash readout, it's optimum. As others have said, overfilling oil can damage the AOS and even the engine. Park the car and drain the oil out of the filter and that should be the solution. Yes, I admit it... I've done this to myself before. I was reminded by some Porsche techs, that just because I drain the oil reservoir, it doesn't mean ALL of the oil is vacated out of the engine.

jhbrennan

It will look like this but with all the boxes filled:

Edgy01

You haven't gone too far. The engine will sort out a good working level for itself, provided it was not too much. 8.7 quarts is not too much. It will settle down to where it likes to be. My engine uses so much oil (from day one in Zuffenhausen) that it would take me about 100 miles of driving to get the engine oil level to drop into the normal range after such an oil change. I did an oil and filter change the other day and refilled with 8 quarts.

Another suggestion I have for people not that familiar with these cars is to have an oil bucket that is marked in quarts--so that you know exactly what you took out. Always start putting back in what you took out. I took an old 5-gallon paint bucket, scribed on the inside, each quart (actually, every two) and thus know exactly what I take out.

Blue997_1

Thanks for all of your help guys! When I first filled the oil, it was reading to the top of the meter (beyond the upper "carat" mark, or whatever you would call it). I dumped a single filter of oil, and now it is within range. What a pain in the *** to check, though! Three minutes to dump the oil, ten minutes to recheck the level. In the future I will do as some of you are suggesting, and underfill on purpose and add more oil after the first measurement.

Petza914

Never check the oil level in a 997.1 after a drive. First thing in the morning only and ignore any other readings taken at any other time. It will always read lower after it has been driven since all the oil isn't back in the sump even after the countdown timer has reset. You're likely still too high.

When doing an oil change, also prefill the filter and it will give you a more accurate reading vefure the first start as you will already have the filter 90% full.

Also, don't assume that over a little is fine and it will self adjust like a regular car... well it will, after it damages your AOS membrane and starts burning oil that it's sucking out of the crankcase from excessive vacuum and the crankshaft whipping it into foam will also prevent it from flowing through the engine properly.

Check it again this morning (before starting it) and if still high, do another filter dump.

When doing the next oil change, only put in 8 quarts, start it to circulate the oil and finish filling the filter, then check it again the next morning. If 2 lines down, add 0.25 quarts. If 1 line down add 1/8 quart and check it again the next morning. Its better to be 1 line down than overfull.

Blue997_1

Petza914

Completely cold. Once you've started it and the oil pump has run, the reading isn't valid any longer. Check it tomorrow.

To avoid any confusion, .2 cars are different and need to be checked warm.

marucus1

marucus1

jhbrennan

Well the measurement is higher than the top index mark, so yes overfilled...but it doesn't tell you by how much. Each segment on the measurement bar = about 0.4 liter so you could be 0.4 l too much or maybe even more.