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Should I top up oil?

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THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW

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YOUR RESEARCHShould I top up oil?

Leading reported evidence

Check dip-stick

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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster

@Imo000: I have checked the dip-stick but can't really get anything from it tbh.

Should I top up oil?
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Leading evidence: 'Check dip-stick' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check dip-stick' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.

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Use fully synthetic and currently 5w-40

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Performed · outcome unconfirmed

Without getting into a oil thread I use fully synthetic and currently 5W-40.

Should I top up oil?

Check dipstick and add as needed

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Suggestion

Check the dipstick and add as needed.

Should I top up oil?

Check oil level

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Suggestion

A quick check on a road trip is right after stopping, getting fuel and then checking oil level.

Should I top up oil?

Check on a road trip is right

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Suggestion

A quick check on a road trip is right after stopping, getting fuel and then checking oil level.

Should I top up oil?
Frequently discussed actions (10)

These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.

Check dip-stick

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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster

@Imo000: I have checked the dip-stick but can't really get anything from it tbh.

Should I top up oil?

Check dipstick and add as needed

No successful repair reported for this finding.

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0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that contain suggestions
1

0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.

0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.

Suggestion

Check the dipstick and add as needed.

Should I top up oil?

Check oil level

No successful repair reported for this finding.

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Suggestion

A quick check on a road trip is right after stopping, getting fuel and then checking oil level.

Should I top up oil?

Check on a road trip is right

No successful repair reported for this finding.

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Suggestion

A quick check on a road trip is right after stopping, getting fuel and then checking oil level.

Should I top up oil?

Check with the dipstick

No successful repair reported for this finding.

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Suggestion

I usually wait about 4-5 minutes and check with the dipstick.

Should I top up oil?

Recommend 0w40 oil

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Suggestion · Original poster

The car has gone 86'000 km or thereabouts BUT the car dealer recommended 0W40 oil.

Should I top up oil?

Replace dipstick in engine

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Suggestion

Replace dipstick in engine.

Should I top up oil?

Replace of oil, filters etc

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Suggestion · Original poster

I have driven my 996 C4S about 2'500 km since I got it back in mid January when it was delivered fully serviced, meaning change of oil, filters etc.

Should I top up oil?

Run "

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Suggestion

Let engine oil flow into the oil pan for a few minutes after the engine has stopped running"

Should I top up oil?

Run these motors max full oil at all times

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Suggestion

Casper Labs(maker of the "other" IMS retrofit bearing kit) states that it's best to run these motors max full oil at all times to insure oil reaching the IMS.

Should I top up oil?
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Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.

30 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.

  • Rennlist: 1 discussions

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POST 1 / ORIGINAL POSTEROriginal post

I have driven my 996 C4S about 2'500 km since I got it back in mid January when it was delivered fully serviced, meaning change of oil, filters etc. Question 1 : The oil check, when starting up the engine showed all bars fully lit, and now it's down 2 bars meaning that 6 of the 8 are lit up. Does this mean I should add more oil or can I go until it shows half full? What is the best thing to do? So far not a drop of oil has leaked from the engine so I guess this is normal oil burning bringing the measurement down. Question 2: I have read in here that best oil for a 2002 model at this time is to use 10W40 synthetic oil. The car has gone 86'000 km or thereabouts BUT the car dealer recommended 0W40 oil. So, again, which should I get? Question 3 : If question 1 is applicable for me to top it up, how much should I pour in there? 1 liter, 2 liters? Concering Q2, if the oil has something to do with external temperatures (I have no clue) winter is over and I guess the service made back before delivery was with 0W40...

POST 2Original post

1) Don't top it up right away (2 bars down is fine). If you do, it will only require a drop of oil; no where near a litre. 2) I'll be in Fribourg on Monday. How's the weather?

POST 3Original post

2 bars down is no big deal. If you add any oil, add small amounts. It's about 350 ml per bar. So, add about 300-400 mls, and remeasure. Best to be a bar or 2 too low than to overfill these cars.

POST 4Original post

Here's a page from the Owner's Manual. Note: "Full" is indicated when 7 of the 8 bars are lit.

POST 5Original post

Check the dipstick and add as needed. I'm usimg Castrol Synthetic 5W40.

POST 6Original post

Casper Labs(maker of the "other" IMS retrofit bearing kit) states that it's best to run these motors max full oil at all times to insure oil reaching the IMS.

POST 7 / ORIGINAL POSTEROriginal post

Thanks for your answers... Highly apreciated as always The DareDevil: 1) Why on earth would anyone come to Fribourg? 2) It's cold and foggy, but did drive to Lake Geneva this afternoon without any problems. One note: If you are driving here beware of speed cameras. They are everywhere and the fine will reach you eventually. I was clocked in at 132 km/h in a 120km/h zone, got 6km/h "discount" so 126km/h and cost me CHF 60 :-( Even 1km/h too fast will get you a payment demand from the police so be carefull... Also, gps with speed camera indicators are illigal and there is no mercy if caught. And, last but not least I went across the boarder in Geneva and was singled out because of the car at customs (the Swiss side) and my car is with Swiss plates...

POST 8 / ORIGINAL POSTEROriginal post

@Imo000: I have checked the dip-stick but can't really get anything from it tbh. The oil is clear to light golden in colour and I can't really see where on the orange markers it is at, if it makes sense? When drying with some kitchen towels there is defo oil on it... And type of oil anyone?

POST 9Original post

Without getting into a oil thread I use fully synthetic and currently 5W-40. Alot of us use that weight but others will use 0-40 and ......

POST 10Original post

Quotes source post: 10364203

I may rent a car, but the train system is fantastic! I'll start in Zurich and end up in Geneva on Wednesday. Sent you a private message.

POST 11Original post

Quotes source post: 10364074

This is moot point unless you are using one of the aftermarket IMS that has an open design.

POST 12Original post

Quotes source post: 10364358

On the contrary, even the sealed bearings should be submerged if possible.

POST 13Original post

Quotes source post: 10364358

Exactly because the fresh oil will seep thru the seal anyway.

POST 14Original post

Yes in theory but how much of oil actually gets through the seals assuming all the grease has leaked out and the seal has been compromised in the first place? Obviously we should all keep our fluids topped up but I haven't seen any comprehensive evidence to indicate whether it will or how long it will help for. I mean at what point does the oil not get to the IMS? Anyone know?

POST 15Original post

Since the theory is that the oil leaks out of the bearing when the engine sits for a while, they keeping is submurged will stop this. It makes sense to me.

POST 16Original post

That bearing doesnt look that low in the engine to be submerged (I assume while not running). Anyone verified this?

POST 17Original post

Quotes source post: 10364747

Question I was trying to ask is at what point does the oil no longer reach the IMS, 6,7,8 qts?

POST 18 / ORIGINAL POSTEROriginal post

Quotes source post: 10364226

OK, thanks for your reply. I think I'll continue with 0W40 as this is what the car dealer recommended as well

POST 19Original post

Quotes source post: 10365259

I don't know but other might. Hopefully the will chime in.

POST 20 / ORIGINAL POSTEROriginal post

I have noticed that when I fire up the engine the oil indicator is 1-2 bars from being fully filled. After a little drive, it comes down to around the half way mark and after a little longer drive it shows as being 100% full. I gather this is due to the oil temp etc, so back to my initial question, at what state of the car should I check if oil should be topped up or not? When cold, after a few min drive or after a longer drive?

POST 21Original post

Per the Owners Manual: "Vehicle is Level Engine is switched off and at operating temperature Let engine oil flow into the oil pan for a few minutes after the engine has stopped running" I usually wait about 4-5 minutes and check with the dipstick. A quick check on a road trip is right after stopping, getting fuel and then checking oil level. The oil level must in no case fall below the minimum or exceed the maximum oil level on the dipstick. Always check oil level with the dipstick...never trust completely the electronic oil level gauge! Engines consume oil...I always keep mine topped up to the maximum level on the dipstick, adding oil as necessary between oil changes. 99 C2 124,000 miles, daily driver, no problems.

POST 22Original post

Quotes source post: 10392282

The most consistent way I found (and also many others) is to measure the oil from the dip stick in the morning before you turn on the engine. It's consistent because most oil would have drained back to the sump and the ambient temp does not affect the volume much. The oil level reading will be significantly higher if the oil is really hot e.g., after a hard drive and say 5 minutes after shut off.

POST 23 / ORIGINAL POSTEROriginal post

Quotes source post: 10393000

The "problem" I have with the dip stick is that 1) I can't see where the oil actually is on the dip stick as the oil is very clear golden and the "market" is that orange plastic thing at the end of the dip stick, and 2) Where on the orange marker should the oil reading correctly be?

POST 24Original post

IIRC from my 02 Boxster's owners manual the oil level should be between the min and max lines on the dipstick tip.

POST 25Original post

Place a paper towel in your left hand. Pull out the dipstick with your right hand. Place end of dipstick in paper towel. Fold paper towel over dipstick end and squeeze. Open paper towel remove dipstick. Observe markings. Replace dipstick in engine. Add oil as required. Repeat as required.

POST 26Original post

Stop complaining Frank996. At least you've got a dipstick. Porsche cut cost and guess what they removed in the 997?

POST 27Original post

Quotes source post: 10401015

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index...&attach_id=785 I keep it at the max mark but anywhere between min and max is fine too. 1.33 quart between min and max. Best is to take out dipstick, wipe it with paper towel, reinsert, remove it again and then read it from an angle. Oil will appear very shinny.

POST 28 / ORIGINAL POSTEROriginal post

Quotes source post: 10403677

[Image-only post; no author-written text. Original image references:] https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

POST 29 / ORIGINAL POSTEROriginal post

Thanks all for your replies... I'll give it another go

POST 30Original post

I did. The bearing is in fact submerged in oil while engine is not running, I assume partially so while engine is running. It would make sense to keep the level at max.

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