2011 C2 manual with @58,000 miles. My check oil level light has been coming on intermittently, every few weeks. Once I perform the oil level check, it goes away for awhile. I recently saw a post about the dangers of overfilling and wonder if that is what is causing the warning light to keep going on? If so, how difficult is it to drain as needed, or do folks recommend a full oil change? Thanks,
Steve

 

Probably a little overfilled. Either let it burn off or just remove the filter canister to drain some out. No full change necessary. dumping the canister will remove about 300-400ml of oil.

 

Unfortunately it's a 997.2 so the oil cannister trick won't work. If you're fast and don't mind an oil bath you can try and get some out via the plug but be prepared to clean up a mess. Otherwise it's a drain and refill. I would not leave it overfilled as it can be ingested into the AOS and returned into the intake, depends on how much extra is in there. If it's just a few ounces then it's probably not a big deal but without a dipstick there's really no way to know.

 

one other solution is to get an extractor and remove some from the oil filler neck. I use the extractor to do my Audi A6 oil changes, as it can't be done readily from the bottom (no regular drain plug - modern cars, jeesh). Anyway, the Audi has the oil filter on top of the engine, so with the extractor, it is open the hood and literally 15 minutes later it is all done and there is zero mess.

While I always lift the 997 and drain the proper way through the drain plug, an extractor is a useful tool for getting excess fluids out fast and fairly cleanly. Every home shop should have one.

 

I also have a 997.2 (2009).

On page 156 of my owner's manual it states the following:

"Failure - A failure of the oil level display is indicated by a warning message on the on-board computer." "Check engine oil level" display - The on-board computer display "Check engine oil level" is an additional measurement that takes place in the background while driving.
The display depends on the distance travelled. This display appears if the oil level has reached the minimum mark or if the oil level is well above the maximum mark."

If it was my car, I would drain the oil and then refill it to the proper level.

 

Yes, definitely an overfill. When I bought my car the dealer overfilled it. When the light first came on I soiled my drawers. However, the problem was resolved when the oil level was reduced - should be the second to last bar. Up to you to drain it (my car doesn’t burn oil at all) or take it back and make the Indy do it.

 

Thanks Ironman, I agree - better to change a few months early (due in December) than risk harm. Thanks.

 

I don't get it - you are just noticing this now and have been driving it like this - when was your last oil change?

 

The light comes on intermittently. In about 1k miles it only came on twice for me. First was about 800 miles in. I just did an oil change at a reputable Indy since I didn’t trust what the dealer did. May as well be safe.

 

When you do the next change measure the amount of oil removed and then add a half quart less. After a day or two check the level. It's easier to add than remove and running a little low is fine.

I prefer mine to be one full block only. When my temps get to 250F or higher the thermal expansion then reads full.

 

You should always check right after getting the car back and letting it sit for awhile (for 997.1 anyway). My Indy also slightly overfilled mine but simply extracted the excess with an extractor the next day when I mentioned it - no big deal.

 

I would open the drain plug and let about a 1/2 cup out. And repeat untill the light goes down 1 notch

 

No warranties implied, but I've heard that if you run the 997.2 engine and then undo the oil plug whilst the engine is running, very little oil will run out because of the vacuum action in the crankcase. Worth a shot if you have someone standing by to kill the engine if you don't like the amount of oil that comes out...

 

I just did my oil change last weekend and overfilled it. I knew I wanted to put 7.5 QT first and top it off after warming up the car. But my brain was not working properly and bad math led me to put 8.5 QT into the engine. I had 2 5QT jugs of oil and was thinking the whole time to leave 1.5QT on the last jug.
So I had no choice but to crack open the oil drain again, stick my finger into the hole to stop the drain while I change the crush washer with my other hand. I was doing this while laying on the floor so the oil just followed my hand down my arm and all over my shoulder. Luckily, it was clean oil so it smelled good and works like lotion. This is on 997.2 so there is no other way to drain the excessive oil.

 

lol. cologne.