993 oil level

[mrporsche]

Evening,

Does the oil level gauge measure work with the ignition on or does it need the engine running ?

On a cold engine will the dipstick read an accurate reflection of the oil level or does it need to be warmed up and circulating before you will get an accurate reading ?

Thanks

[Orangecurry]

mrporsche said:

Does the oil level gauge measure work with the ignition on or does it need the engine running ?

Oil level - engine running, up to temp and thermostat open.

mrporsche said:

On a cold engine will the dipstick read an accurate reflection of the oil level or does it need to be warmed up and circulating before you will get an accurate reading ?

Thanks

The latter.

To be clear - even when you are past the first mark on the oil temp gauge, the thermostat is not yet open, and the oil level reading will be 'wrong', whether by dipstick or gauge.

It's all in the interweb somewhere, with decent photos and everything.

ETA - Pelican

https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Porsche-...

Edited by Orangecurry on Thursday 14th January 10:59

[PTT]

Dipstick more accurate than the gauge.

[stevewak]

PTT said:

Dipstick more accurate than the gauge.

But can be hard to hard to read.

Get it really hot so you can feel the front right wing near the headlamp get warm - and only then can you take a reading. Overfilling is not a good idea and they should not use much oil. Only put small amounts in and watch the gauge.

[Wozy68]

A good rule of thumb (and it will take a lot of warming especially this time of year) is whilst the car is idiling get the oil temp up to the 9oclock position then the oil gauge should be at the 3oclock position..... so the needles are basically lining up with each other ... that’s if both gauges are reading correctly, especially the oil gauge is accurate.... they sometimes are not.

Dipstick at that temp is always the best way to go though as someone above has said .... it can be difficult to read especially if it’s had a recent oil change.

[Pickled Piper]

As the others have stated you need to get it good and hot. I personally find the gauge very accurate. I to it up with the engine running and just watch the gauge through the side window / rear screen. You can see the needle move as you add the oil. the gauge is also a useful check when you are driving and happen to stop for any length of time with the engine idling.

[mrporsche]

Thank you.

I will have a play when it stops raining !

[BertBert]

In the grand scheme of difficult car things, I don't think that reading the dipstick really features!

[mrporsche]

you are right it isnt, but i do find clean /new oil on a dry sump car using a tank is a nightmare.

[Yellow491]

mrporsche said:

you are right it isnt, but i do find clean /new oil on a dry sump car using a tank is a nightmare.

It is difficult on the 993 to see,infact a pain,get the end of the stick blasted so the oil clings better,never rely on the gauge.

[ras62]

put the dipstick end on a colored tissue.

[wong]

Orangecurry said:

To be clear - even when you are past the first mark on the oil temp gauge, the thermostat is not yet open, and the oil level reading will be 'wrong', whether by dipstick or gauge.

There is an oil cooler in the right front wing. Once the engine oil has warmed up, the oil cooler thermostat will open allowing another 2-3 litres of cool oil in to the system and the oil temperature will dip slightly, before rising again.
Also, idling car needs to be on a level surface. 1 litre per 1000km is "within normal limits".