Checking Oil Level
- Steve Hatfield
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 1035
- Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:54 am
Checking Oil Level
What's the correct procedure in checking oil level with respect to the dip stick scribe marks, engine hot as in during a gas fill or next morning after the car has been standing on level ground over night?
Steve Hatfield
Fort Walton Beach, FL
'63 S90 Sunroof Coupe
'06 997S Coupe
Fort Walton Beach, FL
'63 S90 Sunroof Coupe
'06 997S Coupe
- JohnLiles
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 206
- Joined: Tue Dec 11, 2012 8:56 am
- Location: London and NW England
Re: Checking Oil Level
Good question , if you try it both ways would expect level to be a bit higher after an overnight stand. For practical purposes I would check hot eg at gas station and only add oil if it was on the lower line , overfilling is not good !
1957 'A' and 1955 'Continental Outlaw'
- David Jones
- Classifieds Moderator
- Posts: 7323
- Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2008 6:32 pm
- Tag: I wish I knew as much as I think I know.
- Location: Kentucky
Re: Checking Oil Level
Steve, as it take a while before the oil level stabilizes after a hot shutdown I always judge it to be OK if it is above the lower mark. When cold in the mooring I am OK with it being above or at the midpoint between the two marks. If I intend to go for a drive that is more than an hour I would top it up to near the upper mark. Usually takes a pint.
As an example on my Boxster the internal oil level indicator does a countdown when I turn on the ignition. In the morning it takes about 10 seconds or less. After a hot shutdown such as getting gas it takes more like 10 minutes before it will give a reading.
Remember in a 356 the oil cooler has to drain and that is at least a half quart and that is what takes the time. I also have a full flow filter on one engine so I have to allow for that even though it never registers on oil level.
As an example on my Boxster the internal oil level indicator does a countdown when I turn on the ignition. In the morning it takes about 10 seconds or less. After a hot shutdown such as getting gas it takes more like 10 minutes before it will give a reading.
Remember in a 356 the oil cooler has to drain and that is at least a half quart and that is what takes the time. I also have a full flow filter on one engine so I have to allow for that even though it never registers on oil level.
If I had known I would live this long I would have pushed the envelope a little harder.
Cymru am byth
David Jones #9715
Cymru am byth
David Jones #9715
- Steve Hatfield
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 1035
- Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:54 am
Re: Checking Oil Level
I just returned from this year's Southern Drive at Helen GA. Total miles traveled for the four days including to and from was 1,500.
Not bragging, but consumed approx. one quarter distance from the top mark to bottom mark measured cold to cold.
When measured hot on return the level was about one quarter up from the bottom mark. So that jives with what David has offered about oil in suspension.
Not bragging, but consumed approx. one quarter distance from the top mark to bottom mark measured cold to cold.
When measured hot on return the level was about one quarter up from the bottom mark. So that jives with what David has offered about oil in suspension.
Steve Hatfield
Fort Walton Beach, FL
'63 S90 Sunroof Coupe
'06 997S Coupe
Fort Walton Beach, FL
'63 S90 Sunroof Coupe
'06 997S Coupe
- C J Murray
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 9161
- Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2009 7:24 pm
- Location: 30MI WEST OF PHILA
- Contact:
Re: Checking Oil Level
Hey! I thought you run your engine without oil.
Just kidding, I enjoyed seeing you in Helen. That was fun!
Just kidding, I enjoyed seeing you in Helen. That was fun!
'57 Speedster
'59 Sunroof
'60 Devin D Porsche Race Car
'63 Cabriolet "Norm"
'67 911 S Original Owner
'03 Ferrari 575M
'09 Smart Passion
'59 Sunroof
'60 Devin D Porsche Race Car
'63 Cabriolet "Norm"
'67 911 S Original Owner
'03 Ferrari 575M
'09 Smart Passion
- Steve Hatfield
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 1035
- Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:54 am
Re: Checking Oil Level
CJ
Ya, I though I'd weaned that engine off oil but I see, it's still wanting a little drink now and then.
I guess it and I are maybe kin.
Ya, I though I'd weaned that engine off oil but I see, it's still wanting a little drink now and then.
I guess it and I are maybe kin.
Steve Hatfield
Fort Walton Beach, FL
'63 S90 Sunroof Coupe
'06 997S Coupe
Fort Walton Beach, FL
'63 S90 Sunroof Coupe
'06 997S Coupe
- Jim Liberty
- 356 Registry Member
- Posts: 4312
- Joined: Tue May 06, 2008 3:47 pm
- Tag: Jim
- Location: Orange Co., CA
- Contact:
- C J Murray
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 9161
- Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2009 7:24 pm
- Location: 30MI WEST OF PHILA
- Contact:
Re: Checking Oil Level
Vic checks his oil with his engine running! So there!
'57 Speedster
'59 Sunroof
'60 Devin D Porsche Race Car
'63 Cabriolet "Norm"
'67 911 S Original Owner
'03 Ferrari 575M
'09 Smart Passion
'59 Sunroof
'60 Devin D Porsche Race Car
'63 Cabriolet "Norm"
'67 911 S Original Owner
'03 Ferrari 575M
'09 Smart Passion
- Jim Liberty
- 356 Registry Member
- Posts: 4312
- Joined: Tue May 06, 2008 3:47 pm
- Tag: Jim
- Location: Orange Co., CA
- Contact:
- Ron Hetherington
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 102
- Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2009 8:40 pm
- Location: Denver, Colorado
Re: Checking Oil Level
Steve Hatfield wrote:What's the correct procedure in checking oil level with respect to the dip stick scribe marks, engine hot as in during a gas fill or next morning after the car has been standing on level ground over night?
- Jim Liberty
- 356 Registry Member
- Posts: 4312
- Joined: Tue May 06, 2008 3:47 pm
- Tag: Jim
- Location: Orange Co., CA
- Contact:
- Steve Hatfield
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 1035
- Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:54 am
Re: Checking Oil Level
Thanks Ron!
That's the answer I was looking for. (But the humor is always appreciated too.)
That's the answer I was looking for. (But the humor is always appreciated too.)
Steve Hatfield
Fort Walton Beach, FL
'63 S90 Sunroof Coupe
'06 997S Coupe
Fort Walton Beach, FL
'63 S90 Sunroof Coupe
'06 997S Coupe
- Ron Hetherington
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 102
- Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2009 8:40 pm
- Location: Denver, Colorado
Re: Checking Oil Level
You are welcome Steve. The "Drivers Manual" that Porsche provided with the cars seems to hold the answers to most of the questions asked on this forum. They are filled with valuable information. They are nothing like the owners handbooks that come with new cars.Steve Hatfield wrote:Thanks Ron!
That's the answer I was looking for. (But the humor is always appreciated too.)