Would you change the oil on new Porsche after few k miles

[Wudee]

I have now done about 1600mls in my 991S and even though
Porsche don't recommend changing oil after running in i am wondering if I should. What i remember from previous new vehicles is that small metal and aluminium particles start floating round in the oil due to parts bedding in. Admittedly the oil was of thinner type (running in oil). Would you change the oil + filter nevertheless after first few k miles to prevent additional wear due metal flakes?

Thanks

[exigepete]

Standard OPC reply not required, if it puts your mind at rest go for it, OPC will happily take your money if you do want it, I have had two new 911's. 997.2 Carrera S and a 997.2 GT3 RS, didn't on either of those.

[DiscoColin]

Not on a Porsche, though if it were a BMW M car it would be essential.

[SonnyM]

I thought Porsche engines already come run in? Please correct me if I'm wrong...

I change my 2008 Boxster oil every 6 months / 4k miles. Now on 47k miles had no issues at all, thankfully.

[Wudee]

DiscoColin said:

Not on a Porsche, though if it were a BMW M car it would be essential.

Did own a M3 where indeed this is prescribed. Even to change the oil in the differtial. Cost 700 the running in service.

[Wozy68]

Wudee said:

I have now done about 1600mls in my 991S and even though
Porsche don't recommend changing oil after running in i am wondering if I should. What i remember from previous new vehicles is that small metal and aluminium particles start floating round in the oil due to parts bedding in. Admittedly the oil was of thinner type (running in oil). Would you change the oil + filter nevertheless after first few k miles to prevent additional wear due metal flakes?

Thanks

I think it's a good question to ask. Maybe the answer depends on how long you will keep her for. If it was mine and a keeper for years I'd be tempted.

[Rockster]

Wudee said:

I have now done about 1600mls in my 991S and even though
Porsche don't recommend changing oil after running in i am wondering if I should. What i remember from previous new vehicles is that small metal and aluminium particles start floating round in the oil due to parts bedding in. Admittedly the oil was of thinner type (running in oil). Would you change the oil + filter nevertheless after first few k miles to prevent additional wear due metal flakes?

Thanks

The filter stops the metal from circulating. There is a bit of concern about the filter becoming partially blocked but the filter is large, has a lot of surface area. 'course the pressure bypass feeds this oil right back to the oil pump and I worry some -- it doesn't keep me awake nights -- about the extra wear of the oil pump. The teeth I'm not so worried about but the end clearance which if too large represents an internal high pressure oil leak.

(Still the amount of metal in the filter housing oil of my 08 Cayman S after just 750 miles was amazing. The oil looked like metal flake paint. (I have pics and can post if you want to see for yourself.))

My more immediate concern with the initial oil fill is new engines experienced more blowby and the oil becomes contaminated with combustion byproducts. Namely unburned fuel and water. Both of these work to lower the viscosity of the oil.

Yet another concern is the abilty of the oil additive package to neutralize the acid build up that goes along with this fluid contamination.

The engines do not come with any break in oil. They may or may not have some start up lubrication (special grease for instance) that is used for assembly purposes and is present at the first time the engine is cranked over.

The engines are not broken in at the factory. They used to be run some time on a dyno stand to verify proper function but I have read reports where this is no longer done. If correct it would appear Porsche is relying upon its processes to ensure proper and adequate engine performance and output. Makes sense and saves money.

Also, I cringe when I read of someone driving the car through its break in miles and then with this same oil in the engine almost instantly changing personalities from that of a mild mannered law abiding driver to someone trying for the pole position for Death Race 2000 starting grid.

While many engines apparently make it through their early life with no apparent problems I prefer to up the odds for long trouble free engine life and change the oil/filter early.

And advise others to do the same provided the owners manual doesn't forbid it.

[Wudee]

Thanks Rockster. In line with my thinking. I intent to keep the car for longer and think changing oil and filter will lower chances of burning oil at later stages. Will book the car in.

[supersport]

The factory used to run the engines hot on the production line. Now each and every engine is run cold for a minute or two. The get an oil and water feed and then an electric motor spins them up to check compression and they they meet tolerances. The whole process takes 3 minutes.

This is done in the build process before it gets to a physical car. They are driven off of the line but not run in any more than that.

[Nineexcellence]

On all the engines we build we change the oil within 1000 miles to get rid of all the sealing compounds that you cannot prevent - this is reflected in the oil clearly - it has a different look and feel.
Hartech also has the same on their built engines .
Maybe robots are better in precision etc so it is not so much an issue but have seen the same on near new engines built at the factory
As said if you are keeping in the warranty fair enough but IMO it cannot do any harm

[PorkaFly]

Warranty or not, I think it is good practice to change the oil after running in and then after significant/prolongued track work or 5k miles. To spend as much money as we do on these cars to not change the oil at more regular intervals than is now recommended is bonkers IMO. Oil technology has improved and tolerances are better on engines these days, but 20k miles between oil changes in any car is just storing up trouble IMO. An oil and filter change is cheap, and as Ken says you can feel and see the difference between fresh/new oil and oil that's not...that has to be better for any engine and why I change my oil 2 or 3 times a year. It's a false economy not to.

PF

[MadMark981]

I've always changed the oil twice as often as Porsche recommend - despite not doing trackdays in any of my cars - they were all driven in a "swift" manner and as I saw it deserved some TLC. The engines sound smoother, quieter and often produce more power with more frequent oil changes. I am not a fan of 20,000+ miles without any checks or an oil change .....

When I bought my new 981 Boxster, I was introduced to the service manager by the salesman and he said: "Great, I'll see you in 2 years"! To which I replied: "No you won't - I'll be back for an annual service" .... They both looked at me like I was nuts .....

My car has now done 1,200 miles and is "freeing up" nicely and I've had a few forays into the upper reaches of the rev range - where it sounds fantastic! However, I'm thinking that 2,000 miles would be a good time to change the oil. Any thoughts from others on here?

[PorkaFly]

MadMark981 said:

I've always changed the oil twice as often as Porsche recommend - despite not doing trackdays in any of my cars - they were all driven in a "swift" manner and as I saw it deserved some TLC. The engines sound smoother, quieter and often produce more power with more frequent oil changes. I am not a fan of 20,000+ miles without any checks or an oil change .....

When I bought my new 981 Boxster, I was introduced to the service manager by the salesman and he said: "Great, I'll see you in 2 years"! To which I replied: "No you won't - I'll be back for an annual service" .... They both looked at me like I was nuts .....

My car has now done 1,200 miles and is "freeing up" nicely and I've had a few forays into the upper reaches of the rev range - where it sounds fantastic! However, I'm thinking that 2,000 miles would be a good time to change the oil. Any thoughts from others on here?

I would change the oil now - at run-in point - rather than wait until 2k miles, and then enjoy the car as intended. Doing it any later defeats the benefits of a running in oil change IMO.

PF

[MadMark981]

PorkaFly said:

I would change the oil now - at run-in point - rather than wait until 2k miles, and then enjoy the car as intended. Doing it any later defeats the benefits of a running in oil change IMO.

PF

Cheers PF - will do!

[Rockster]

Nineexcellence said:

On all the engines we build we change the oil within 1000 miles to get rid of all the sealing compounds that you cannot prevent - this is reflected in the oil clearly - it has a different look and feel.
Hartech also has the same on their built engines .
Maybe robots are better in precision etc so it is not so much an issue but have seen the same on near new engines built at the factory
As said if you are keeping in the warranty fair enough but IMO it cannot do any harm

Could be the robot that assembled my Cayman S engine had a bad night before because when I changed the oil at 750 miles there was some sealant trash among the metal trash in the filter element. And water droplets on the housing threads. When I showed the tech the pics I took he said that's quite common with new cars, that the filter element and housing are filthy. He can't look at the filter housing oil for it just drains right directly into a catch pan mesh and goes out of sight instantly.

[mollytherocker]

I would and have done in the past.

[ChrisW.]

It's not necessary, but I changed all oils and filters at 1600 miles --- just before my first gentle track day.

After that, the running in was 80% done

[Wudee]

I am definitely doing it now after reading the above. OPC quoted me 280 quid for filter + oil change. It is something I would happily do on my motorbikes myself, would it void warranty if I do it myself or go to specialist?

[WelshOllie]

As stated, I would definitely get it done - for £280 ( approx 2-3 tanks of fuel) it puts your mind at rest and certainly is only a benefit. Considering the cost of the car new it is not a great deal of money to spend on making sure your giving it the best of care. I would get it done at an OPC, you dont want Porsche to have any reason to invalidated a warranty at a later date, even if they said it was ok for now. Enjoy the car, a lovely piece of kit.

[Wudee]

Thanks, completely in line with your thinking. Wrong kind of economics