Oil change BEFORE or AFTER a DE?

tx targa · 11-04-2009, 05:33 PM

Doing my first DE in my new-to-me 997 in two weeks. Oil has less than 5,000 miles on it but it was last changed in Aug 08 about 15 months ago.

I've put 4 quarts in since I purchased in April over 3,400 miles. So do I get in clean & fresh before running it hard or after? I have to go in before for a brake flush anyway...

OldGuy · 11-04-2009, 05:38 PM

After
then you always know at your next DE you are already prepared.
Another plus is you will have clean oil for running around in town
and it will still be nice clean oil for the DE.
If you changed it BEFORE the DE would degrade the oil and you would
be driving around town on degraded oil

Bob Rouleau · 11-04-2009, 06:34 PM

I disagree with Paul on this one. Change oil before since on the track you will be using a lot higher revs and power than you do on the street. Your oil will work harder - like your engine - on the track.

Most guys who track change their oil at 5,000 miles or less. Don't forget new transmission fluid as well, it also works hard on the track.

Brake fluid should be no older than 6 months - that is a rule in most PCA regions and it is a good one.

Best,

CarGuy21 · 11-04-2009, 06:36 PM

Based upon the fact that the oil was changed 15 months ago, I would change it now and after the DE. What really concerns me is that you've added 4 quarts in 3400 miles. I drive an '01 Audi A6 2.7T that is modified to Stage III+ and it uses no oil at all between changes and forced induced engines are notorius for using oil. I change the oil every 5K miles religiously.

mdrums · 11-04-2009, 09:00 PM

15 month old oil...I would cahnge it and go do your DE. For your 1st DE you will get to run the car hardered than normal on the street but nothing to wear out the oil.

Carrera Mike · 11-04-2009, 09:21 PM

Your oil is too old for my book, so I recommend "change" before DE. You need to protect your engine in that high performance driving event.

mobonic · 11-04-2009, 11:15 PM

I change my oil 3-5 time per year with 10k miles per year.

I change my transmission fluid every 5 track events.

OldGuy · 11-05-2009, 12:04 AM

Bob
I thought he was going to change it at every DE. I have heard of guys doing that. If not then yea your idea is just as good as mine.

ford_jj · 11-05-2009, 12:07 AM

Before or after? Everyone have their own point.

RonCT · 11-05-2009, 12:33 AM

Before reading any replies I thought "After a DE is before the next, which is after the previous..." Circular. But, based on 5k and 15 months, I'd change it before and then 1x a year depending on mileage. Here in CT, my Porsches are on the road early April to mid November and are run about 6500-7500 miles, so every spring I get things ready with an oil change, SRF fluid change, front Rotor change (rears every other year), etc.

fpb111 · 11-05-2009, 03:19 AM

If you there is any question about the oil don’t dither just change it.

russo · 11-05-2009, 01:47 PM

To me this is a no-brainer, change the oil before the DE, the car is going to be driven under heavier loads and thus you want the oil at its best. If you are going to be attending DE's on a regular basis I would change the oil every 5-6 DE's.

tx targa · 11-05-2009, 11:43 PM

Thanks guys. Sounds like the consensus is change it before it gets the harder work out of a DE. I will be getting a brake flush as well per PCA rules. Tires and brakes are good. Hadn't thought about transmission fluid. I assume it is the original with 14,000 on it, will look into that.

I was worried about oil consumption too, my service advisor says Porsche considers it "normal" consumption up to a quart every 600 miles. I'm sure there will be may differing opinions on this. I drive mostly short trips in the city which is awful I know. That's why I go on longer drives sometimes at night to get it up to operating temperature and go through the tedious oil checking procedure. Sure do miss the dipstick.

mkk62 · 11-06-2009, 01:12 AM

haven't heard much about tranny fluid changes? anyone else change theirs often like mobonic?
mk

CMOS · 11-06-2009, 11:53 AM

While we are on the subject, can somone post a link to the DIY for the oil change?
Thx!

11-04-2009, 05:33 PM	#1
tx targa Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 65	Oil change BEFORE or AFTER a DE? Doing my first DE in my new-to-me 997 in two weeks. Oil has less than 5,000 miles on it but it was last changed in Aug 08 about 15 months ago. I've put 4 quarts in since I purchased in April over 3,400 miles. So do I get in clean & fresh before running it hard or after? I have to go in before for a brake flush anyway...

11-04-2009, 05:38 PM	#2
OldGuy Addict Lifetime Rennlist Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ridgecrest, and Mammoth California Posts: 7,848	After then you always know at your next DE you are already prepared. Another plus is you will have clean oil for running around in town and it will still be nice clean oil for the DE. If you changed it BEFORE the DE would degrade the oil and you would be driving around town on degraded oil __________________ OG 997 09 C2S PDK Carrera White Rennlist member# 030815-4002 Official NRA Liason to Sierra Club HWFMR paulgt3@gmail.com 2008 BMW 335i (wifey's) 2006 BMW X5 4.8iS 04 GT3 RSR Le Mans entrant Gone 97 993 TT midnite blue/cashmere(missed) 04 RED 996 GT3 2007 GT sliver GT3 2009 AMG C63 Last edited by OldGuy; 11-04-2009 at 05:59 PM.

11-04-2009, 06:34 PM	#3
Bob Rouleau Administrator Still plays with cars. Lifetime Rennlist Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Montreal Posts: 7,831	I disagree with Paul on this one. Change oil before since on the track you will be using a lot higher revs and power than you do on the street. Your oil will work harder - like your engine - on the track. Most guys who track change their oil at 5,000 miles or less. Don't forget new transmission fluid as well, it also works hard on the track. Brake fluid should be no older than 6 months - that is a rule in most PCA regions and it is a good one. Best, __________________ ..Bob Frozen North Rep & ceramic rotor roaster Hey, wait for me! racing.

11-04-2009, 09:00 PM	#5
mdrums Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tampa Posts: 4,209	15 month old oil...I would cahnge it and go do your DE. For your 1st DE you will get to run the car hardered than normal on the street but nothing to wear out the oil. __________________ Mike

11-04-2009, 09:21 PM	#6
Carrera Mike Addict Lifetime Rennlist Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,496	Your oil is too old for my book, so I recommend "change" before DE. You need to protect your engine in that high performance driving event. __________________ Carrera Mike Carrera Albums PCA First Settlers Region

11-04-2009, 06:36 PM	#4
CarGuy21 Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Libertyville, IL Posts: 35	Based upon the fact that the oil was changed 15 months ago, I would change it now and after the DE. What really concerns me is that you've added 4 quarts in 3400 miles. I drive an '01 Audi A6 2.7T that is modified to Stage III+ and it uses no oil at all between changes and forced induced engines are notorius for using oil. I change the oil every 5K miles religiously.

11-04-2009, 11:15 PM	#7
mobonic User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 265	I change my oil 3-5 time per year with 10k miles per year. I change my transmission fluid every 5 track events.

11-05-2009, 12:04 AM	#8
OldGuy Addict Lifetime Rennlist Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ridgecrest, and Mammoth California Posts: 7,848	Bob I thought he was going to change it at every DE. I have heard of guys doing that. If not then yea your idea is just as good as mine. __________________ OG 997 09 C2S PDK Carrera White Rennlist member# 030815-4002 Official NRA Liason to Sierra Club HWFMR paulgt3@gmail.com 2008 BMW 335i (wifey's) 2006 BMW X5 4.8iS 04 GT3 RSR Le Mans entrant Gone 97 993 TT midnite blue/cashmere(missed) 04 RED 996 GT3 2007 GT sliver GT3 2009 AMG C63

11-05-2009, 12:07 AM	#9
ford_jj User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 42	Before or after? Everyone have their own point.

11-05-2009, 12:33 AM	#10
RonCT Moderator Rennlist Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Connecticut Posts: 3,497	Before reading any replies I thought "After a DE is before the next, which is after the previous..." Circular. But, based on 5k and 15 months, I'd change it before and then 1x a year depending on mileage. Here in CT, my Porsches are on the road early April to mid November and are run about 6500-7500 miles, so every spring I get things ready with an oil change, SRF fluid change, front Rotor change (rears every other year), etc. __________________ 2009 C2S Aqua Blue, Sport PASM / LSD, Cup Control Arms, PFC97 / SRF, Volk TE37 18" w/ RA1s, GT2 seats, Tequiptment bar, Schroth Profi II-H. 2007 GT3 Arctic Silver, bone stock. 2007 C2S Cobalt Blue, Cup Control Arms, PFC97s / SRF, Fikse 13 w/ RA1s. 1992 C2 Race Modified.

11-05-2009, 03:19 AM	#11
fpb111 Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 169	If you there is any question about the oil don’t dither just change it. __________________ 1972 RS 3.2 twin plug short stroke crank fire, roll bar, camber truss, factory short shift, turbo brakes sadly sold 2003 996 cab 6 speed happily bought 22 year PCA instructor Past NNJR social chair, past rally chair, past fresh sell by date Frank

11-05-2009, 01:47 PM	#12
russo Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Brownsville, Tx Posts: 856	To me this is a no-brainer, change the oil before the DE, the car is going to be driven under heavier loads and thus you want the oil at its best. If you are going to be attending DE's on a regular basis I would change the oil every 5-6 DE's.

11-05-2009, 11:43 PM	#13
tx targa Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 65	Thanks guys. Sounds like the consensus is change it before it gets the harder work out of a DE. I will be getting a brake flush as well per PCA rules. Tires and brakes are good. Hadn't thought about transmission fluid. I assume it is the original with 14,000 on it, will look into that. I was worried about oil consumption too, my service advisor says Porsche considers it "normal" consumption up to a quart every 600 miles. I'm sure there will be may differing opinions on this. I drive mostly short trips in the city which is awful I know. That's why I go on longer drives sometimes at night to get it up to operating temperature and go through the tedious oil checking procedure. Sure do miss the dipstick.

11-06-2009, 01:12 AM	#14
mkk62 Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 199	haven't heard much about tranny fluid changes? anyone else change theirs often like mobonic? mk

11-06-2009, 11:53 AM	#15
CMOS User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: DC Metro Posts: 74	While we are on the subject, can somone post a link to the DIY for the oil change? Thx!