Oil gauge Confusion

[Tone the bone]

Recently turned on ignition of my 997 Carrera S 2005 - to see oil volume reading was in the bottom segment and flashing although no oil warning light on dash -
I assumed this to be about time to top up so I added a litre of the recommended Mobil 1 0W -40 oil - started the engine - turned off and waited the allotted time required to re measure to find the problem had not been rectified .
I decided to continue driving the car over short distances at low revs for a couple of days without any noticeable performance change - no smoke and no oil drops on the drive .
I know the obvious dangers of over filling so I carefully added another 1/2 litre of oil the electronic gange still reads stuck in the bottom segment -
Obviously no dip stick to do a manual check so do I assume a faulty gauge or gauge sensor ?
Or do I add more oil ?
I know the total volume for a complete change is approx 8 ltrs and that the difference between min and max is is only about 1.25 ltrs so what to do ???

[Rockster]

Reads like the oil level system is wacky.

The only way I know of to check this system's function is to do an oil/filter service following the procedure passed down from Porsche and upon filling the engine with the correct and known amount of oil confirming the oil level system reports the expected/correct oil level.

A Porsche tech with the diagnostic computer might be able to determine the system is malfunctioning but an oil/filter service could be called for to ensure the engine has the right amount of oil, not too little (unlikely) but not too much (more likely).

[Tone the bone]

Thks for that - I thought that might be the case .

Rear right side exhaust tailpipes seem to be noticeably sooting up more than left - but no smoke visible any significance ?

[bryan35]

just had a problem with my 997 C2. exactly the same, except the day later it was ready "over fill" after the AA put in a litre of Mobil 1. Local specialist drained the oil (was due a change after the year anyway) and he removed the oil level sensor. The bottom was cracked and it was sticking. Replaced. He'd seen this before, and strangely it seemed to stick when the car was on a tilt/camber when the rear nearside wheel is lower than the rest. Bit of a time consuming job, in so far as that the oil needs to be measured in, and the ECU set back up for 'low/high' level indications. Cost about £260 at the independent to sort (including the oil)

[Rockster]

Tone the bone said:

Thks for that - I thought that might be the case .

Rear right side exhaust tailpipes seem to be noticeably sooting up more than left - but no smoke visible any significance ?

Some owners get all antsy regarding the level of soot at the tailpipe outlets. My reply is if the engine is running ok, if the CEL is off, there is no problem. Remember there is one possibly two (in the case of my Boxster) catalytic converters between the combustion chambers and the tailpipe outlet. Any soot at the outlet may be a more a reflection on the converters than the engine.

Also, keep in mind for every gallon of fuel (gasoline aka petrol) burned around 19 gallons of CO2 is generated. I'd be a bit surprised if there wasn't some soot at the exhaust pipe outlet.

Might mention that both my Boxster's tailpipe has been dark with soot since I can remember and the same goes with my 996 Turbo and its dual exhaust outlets. The Boxster engine is at over 290K miles and the Turbo engine is past the 135K mile mark and yet both engines are just fine.

IOWs, soot happens.

[Tone the bone]

Thks for easing my mind -
Just a bit nervy as I'm new to Porches
will take car to local German car specialist for an oil change and a sensor check - (JP Garage at Hampton Court -Surrey)
V. Reasonably priced - especially for cash if u know what I mean .
Engine runs well and pulls hard - sooty tailpipes or not so I won't be easing up !