Checking Oil Level

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Steve Hatfield
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Checking Oil Level

#1 Post by Steve Hatfield »

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

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JohnLiles
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Re: Checking Oil Level

#2 Post by JohnLiles »

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'

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David Jones
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Re: Checking Oil Level

#3 Post by David Jones »

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.
If I had known I would live this long I would have pushed the envelope a little harder.
Cymru am byth
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Steve Hatfield
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Re: Checking Oil Level

#4 Post by Steve Hatfield »

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.
Steve Hatfield
Fort Walton Beach, FL
'63 S90 Sunroof Coupe
'06 997S Coupe

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C J Murray
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Re: Checking Oil Level

#5 Post by C J Murray »

Hey! I thought you run your engine without oil.

Just kidding, I enjoyed seeing you in Helen. That was fun!
'57 Speedster
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Steve Hatfield
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Re: Checking Oil Level

#6 Post by Steve Hatfield »

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.
Steve Hatfield
Fort Walton Beach, FL
'63 S90 Sunroof Coupe
'06 997S Coupe

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Jim Liberty
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Re: Checking Oil Level

#7 Post by Jim Liberty »

Cold, or cooled down.
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C J Murray
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Re: Checking Oil Level

#8 Post by C J Murray »

Vic checks his oil with his engine running! So there!
'57 Speedster
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Jim Liberty
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Re: Checking Oil Level

#9 Post by Jim Liberty »

But you two guys never shut your's off !!!
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Ron Hetherington
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Re: Checking Oil Level

#10 Post by Ron Hetherington »

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?
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Jim Liberty
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Re: Checking Oil Level

#11 Post by Jim Liberty »

I still like it cold, or cooled down. After coffee, or lunch.
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Steve Hatfield
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Re: Checking Oil Level

#12 Post by Steve Hatfield »

Thanks Ron!
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

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Ron Hetherington
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Re: Checking Oil Level

#13 Post by Ron Hetherington »

Steve Hatfield wrote:Thanks Ron!
That's the answer I was looking for. (But the humor is always appreciated too.)
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.

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