ricm

After a recent oil change I discovered that the oil level indicator on my '13 991 was one tick below full (two ticks from the top).

I know that two clicks down is acceptable but I requested that the oil be topped off and the tech reread the oil level via a computer and it indicated that it WAS full - even overfilled by 5-10 mls - and adding oil to achieve the 'full' mark would result in a definite over fill. After several dealer oil changes - the last one at this same dealer - I've always driven away with the oil indicator at the top (one tick from top).

I asked why the discrepancy between then and now and he eluded to a new revised factory top off recommendation that minimizes frothing and impact on emissions and the emission system from blown oil? Blown seals is a non-issue.

Has anyone heard of this? What's troubling is evidently my engine has been continually 'over filled' during it's service life? If true then those who regularly observe the 'full' mark are over filling. Plus the oil level indicator should be reprogrammed to reflect a new 'full' going forward.

Thoughts?

chuck911

5-10 ml is about the same volume as one of your fingers.

CSK 911 C4S

If it's in the green it's good to go.

I do my own oil changes and it just might need a few heat cycles and it will read correctly.

I usually leave mine just a bit low on purpose and then top it off a squirt at a time over the next few days.

johnireland

Miss those dip sticks?

ricm

Exactly.

So in spite of the on board oil gauge stating that it's down 1 bar or 300 ml, his machine states that it's 10-15 ml OVER FILLED. Not much but still over filled.

So when it's 'full' (four bars), it's essentially over filled by at least 300 ml or one bar too much. So commensurately, three bars is really two, and two bars is really one.

So is his computer or the on-board oil indicator whacked?

One can presume that the new three is the old four. So much for high priced, high precision, state-of-the-art technology.

Porsche_nuts

Interesting. Wondering what other dealers would say.

tubwreck

The dashboard gauge shows a value that is the mean of several recent static and moving readings, while the dealers readout is probably an instant reading of the float level.

Note that any single reading of the level will reflect only how much oil is in the sump at that moment. This is affected by oil temperature, engine speed, recent vehicle acceleration, etc.

The oil indicator will only read the level under certain conditions (temp > 158, RPM < 2500, vehicle level). The value that is displayed when you request may have been taken some time ago.

To obtain an instant reading through the display, the vehilce must be level, at normal operating temperature (158), with the engine off. The reading should be taken within 60 seconds after shutting off the engine.

todd92

10-15 ml OVERFILLED. Oh, the humanity!

Must be some gauge your tech has that can differentiate < 1/2 ounce overfill.

certified_prime

I am on my fourth oil change. Previous three were at 4 bars (1 below max). Oil temp with sport mode on ran consistent at 201F.

Last oil change, the dealer topped it off so that it shows 5 bars. Oil temp runs around 215F, and under hard accel the oil pressure is around redline of uper 50s psi. Makes me a bit nervious.

RobC4sX51

My first oil change after picking up a pre-owned 991 was at 15k miles. Same thing, when I picked up the car and drove away, I checked and sure enough, I was "1 bar below full". I asked to come back at my convenience to have it topped off (it was Mobil 1 and at the time I only had Motul 5-40 from previous 997.2 car) and he said don't worry about it! That Porsche recommends the level be 1-2 bars below full. It was new and news to me but I trust them. As said above, as long as it is in the "green" and preferably not the top, it is good. In our engine's case, too much is not a good thing, so even the full mark is "too much" evidently! I'm sleeping just fine and the engine stays nice and cool (201) in sport! Runs about 30 degrees warmer in normal.