Oil level gauge 993 Carrera

[Jason Bruce]

Hi There PFA

I have very recently purchased a 1996 model 993 Carrera cabriolet, so I’m not familiar with the car just yet. The car was delivered to me having just been serviced by a very well respected Porsche specialist workshop. I have noticed that the Oil Level Indicator in the left hand small cluster gauge has stopped moving out of the “red” however when checking the oil level on the Dipstick, the oil level appears to be within the High-Low range on the twisted section of the Dipstick. Would this suggest the gauge on the dash is faulty? Can anyone shed any light on this issue for me?

Many Thanks!

Jason

[StevepGT3]

Only to be looked at when the engine is up to temperature, on the flat and has been idling without moving for about a minute, ie the best time is when you park after a drive, at any other time the gauge shouldn’t be looked at 

[Jason Bruce]

Cheers Steve

I shall run that test and check to see if the indicator moves out of the red, thanks again!

Jason

[tomo]

Check your dipstick at the sme time untill you are used to the cars quirks. 

[mc968cs]

2 hours ago, StevepGT3 said:

Only to be looked at when the engine is up to temperature, on the flat and has been idling without moving for about a minute, ie the best time is when you park after a drive, at any other time the gauge shouldn’t be looked at 

Exactly - and honestly they seem a bit  ‘quirky’ and operate in a narrow band. Ie mine won’t  really budge unless weather and  engine is quite warm. Maybe I cruise around too much enjoying the car!  It’s a pretty inaccurate thing - noting I’m also getting used to it.

 

I do pay close attention to the oil pressure pressure and temp, those seem much more ‘specific’.  

[StevepGT3]

The good thing about it though is that once you correlate it with the dipstick you can top up the oil while looking through the back window and get it spot on without having to piss around trying to read the dipstick and not overfill 

[Zelrik911]

1 hour ago, mc968cs said:

. Maybe I cruise around too much enjoying the car!  It’s a pretty inaccurate thing - noting I’m also getting used to it.

I do pay close attention to the oil pressure pressure and temp, those seem much more ‘specific’.  

Only concern yourself with  the oil pressure and temperature. Use the dipstick only when engine is hot & ONLY add oil when the engine is hot and flowing through the cooler radiator..

Get used to ignoring the Level gauge. These have always been quirky on A/C cars ( & if you play around with it you could end up making it worse).

[Jason Bruce]

Thank you very much for the info… all most helpful indeed.

I have conducted the test of letting the car run for a couple of minutes on idle at operating temperature after a drive, and sure enough the Oil level Indicator lifted out of the red and sat roughly in the midway position. I can rest assured now knowing everything is operating as it should…. Problem solved!

Thanks again 

[StevepGT3]

Don’t get tempted to add more than having the gauge midway as it will then be overfilled and eat that oil pretty quickly down to midway again 

[pocketscience]

On 01/08/2021 at 09:05, StevepGT3 said:

The good thing about it though is that once you correlate it with the dipstick you can top up the oil while looking through the back window and get it spot on without having to piss around trying to read the dipstick and not overfill 

This ^^^

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