Thanks, and a question

First, as a new member I'd like to thank all of you for some very helpful advice over the last few months. I've never before posted here before, but I can tell you that simply keeping up with the discussion is quite an education. I've recently purchased an 03 996, and your guidance was invaluable. Now the question: My car runs beautifully (18,000 miles), however, there seems to be a fair amount of ticking from the engine and the oil pressure gauge is usually maxed out. I did an oil level check, and the level seems fine (I thought an overfill might cause the pressure to spike). I brought it to my dealer who, upon the briefest inspection, didn't think there was a problem. Since this is my first 911 and I'm a bit of a perfectionistic nut, I figured that I was just hearing things. Then yesterday, after 20 minutes of driving, the oil pressure began to drop into the 3s and 4s and the engine quieted down--leading me to believe that I was NOT hearing things after all. This morning, it ticked upon start and the pressure was again off the dial. After 10 minutes or so the pressure again went into what I would consider the normal range and the ticking stopped. Do I have anything to worry about? What could cause such behavior? Again, thanks for all of the help.

Sounds like the cam followers making a little noise on cold start up. Your oil pressure is quite high (normally so most likely) upon cold start up as the oil is quite viscous when cold. As the oil heats up it "thins" out and your engine's oil pressure drops commensurately. It sounds normal to me, but our man firehawk99 is the guy to hear from.

Oh boy...should I start this What weight oil is in it and how cold is the outside temperature when you are starting it?

Way to go Steven!!! Maybe I'll warm up the NEW and IMPROVED popcorn machine!

Hey, it's a good question?

Yes, it really is a good question. I was actually glad you asked it and tried to indicate that with the thumb-up icon ( ). Now, if I had used the no-no icon ( ) after my comment, then I would have been giving you some crap about asking the oil question.

Good questions. I live in Princeton, NJ and the temp has been all over the place in the last couple of months (30-70). Thus, it appears independent of temperature. It also happens after the car sits for a while, even if it is near operating temp. AM and PM do not seem to matter as it occurs all all hours. I don't know the weight of the oil. It was changed upon purchase in October (RMS) and I just assumed that the dealer used the correct weight. (RMS discovered in PPI.) Am I just being a nut? The sound reminds me of the valve clatter of a big block solid lifter '66 corvette I owned, or my TR4 when the rocker arms need adjustment. It's probably just the paranoid ruminations of a first-time 911 owner, but I would appreciate additional comments. Thanks.

Without embracing the oil weight question....... My car behaves as follows: Cold start, oil pressure pegged to max. Warm engine, about 1.5 bar at idle, with pressure increasing as engine speed increases with about 1 bar pressure increase per 1000 rpm increase. When warm, the oil pressure guage needle kind of mimics the tach needle albeit in a lazy manner.

If you had the RMS replaced at Princeton Porsche, they only use 0W-40. I get the same ticking sound too upon cold start-up but it goes away after 5 mins. I do not notice if the oil pressure is high, I'll take a look next time.

Thanks AC, I'd appreciate it. Plus, I'd love to hear from others.

Hey, as a former TR4 owner (gasp - 36 years ago) who now owns an 03 996, I just wanted to say hello. Its a little different, huh? Your oil pressure sounds normal from my experience. I have not listened for ticking, so I can't really comment on that.

DCP, never mention years, it's simply too depressing. But yea, there's quite a difference. I will say that my TR had a soul unlike any car I have owned since. Of course, I spent more time under the car than in it. But those were the days. I used to race it (gymkhanas only) on the occasional weekend. No helmut, no seatbelts. To make a fast, hard, left, I'd put my arm out the window and grab the outside of the door. True story! I am amazed at the performance of the 911--and I just have a regular C2. I've wanted this car since I was a kid. When I bought it I perpared myself for disappointment. After all, how could a car you've wanted since the '70s live up to expectations. Well, it does. But I still have fond memories of the TR.

Same here on my '02 C2. On the recent coolish (40F) mornings, it's taken 10-15 minutes of driving for the oil pressure to fall all the way to the warm idle value of 1.5 bar.

Did he say "regular C2" ?????

Y'know, as opposed to a frou-frou Targa or lardy C4

Phew For a minute there I thought I was "regular" too