Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hi all..

Another question to shoot at all you 996 experts!

I bought my 996 at the end of November, after it had been sent by the dealer to be serviced. I have yet to top up the engine oil, as the display in the dash tells me that the oil level is actually one 'block' above max level. I thought I'd take a look at the oil levels by using the dipstick in the engine bay, and it seems to me that it needs oil. My dilema is, if I'm to believe the in dash display, then adding any oil would be way over the maximum recommended level, yet going by the dipstick, there is hardly any in there. I also read in the manual that the engine oil flushes out of the engine. Would this explain why it seems the oil levels are low?

The ultimate question that I'm trying to ask is, how accurate are these electronic oil readings in the dash? and should I go by these when checking oil levels?

Thanks in advance for any help

hmmm you sure you let the car stand on dead level ground to do the manual dipstick test, and did it cold ?

my experience has been that the electronic level is accurate; but then the 'real' measurement has backed this up too

the GT3 only has the electric method !

Overfilling is bad news, but so is too little...

one sure way would be to do an oil change.
Drain it all out, then re-fill with correct amount ( as per manual) then check both elelctronic and manual readings

don't know much about these so may be talking out my a..e, but on air cooled oil level needs to be checked with engine running, are the water pumpers the same ?

Yes, the newer ones are.... no dipstick and electronic..
The ground needs to be level and the engine hot or it does vary..

garyw

The dipstick is not much use for anything more than confirming that there's black stickly stuff in the sump, is it? I think the electronic indicator is supplied precisely because its so difficult to measure with your head under the hood, so I'd be inclined to trust it. Read your manual on how and when do use this meter.