28 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHChanged oil to M1 0-40, what a difference!!
Reported or suspected cause
variocam plus
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that report identifying a cause
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.
Reported cause · Original poster
Lifter tick totally gone, NO blip in any gear at any RPM, which pretty much clinches that it was the Variocam plus, which uswes the motor oil as a hydraulic fluid.
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 · Original poster
I don't know about the 13 or 8 oz's per bar, but on my 2002, the bars exactly match the one quart low to fill line on the dipstick, so by my calcs that is 5.3 ounces/bar.
Leading evidence: 'variocam plus' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'variocam plus' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Fill line' (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.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that report identifying a cause
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.
Reported cause · Original poster
My car had the 30k serice done about 3k miles ago, but always a had a slight lifter tick at idle (many here said was normal, no one said it was something to look into) an there was a noticeable engine hickup/change/blip at 3300 rpm or so (which many here also said was normal..some said it was the variocam plus, others the intake flop over).
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I only used 1/2 the recommended amount of the additive.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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.
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
Fill line
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
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 · Original poster
I don't know about the 13 or 8 oz's per bar, but on my 2002, the bars exactly match the one quart low to fill line on the dipstick, so by my calcs that is 5.3 ounces/bar.
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
You guys aren't going to believe this because I didn't believe it when the service advisor at the Honda dealership told me that Honda uses 0W-20 oil (non-synthetic) in their cars.
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
variocam plus
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Discussions that report identifying a cause
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.
Reported cause · Original poster
Lifter tick totally gone, NO blip in any gear at any RPM, which pretty much clinches that it was the Variocam plus, which uswes the motor oil as a hydraulic fluid.
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.
Reported cause · Original poster
My car had the 30k serice done about 3k miles ago, but always a had a slight lifter tick at idle (many here said was normal, no one said it was something to look into) an there was a noticeable engine hickup/change/blip at 3300 rpm or so (which many here also said was normal..some said it was the variocam plus, others the intake flop over).
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.
28 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
1 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Outcome without a verified action link
I've seen/heard the ticking on cars where the level is low - simply filling to required level has fixed it.
If my car is any indication then anyone not using M1 0-40, or equal viscosity is not doing their engine any favors. My car had the 30k serice done about 3k miles ago, but always a had a slight lifter tick at idle (many here said was normal, no one said it was something to look into) an there was a noticeable engine hickup/change/blip at 3300 rpm or so (which many here also said was normal..some said it was the variocam plus, others the intake flop over).
I just could NOT believe that Porsche would have an engine with those kind of noticeable issues with 37k miles on it. I contacted the indie that did the service, 9 moths ago, and was told, they could not tell me what viscosity was used for sure, just that it was Mobil 1 because "Porsche is always changing what the official oil should be". So I did my own change, and the differnce is night and day. Lifter tick totally gone, NO blip in any gear at any RPM, which pretty much clinches that it was the Variocam plus, which uswes the motor oil as a hydraulic fluid. My mileage is even up about 0.8mpg over 200 miles. I'm just kicking myself for not doing it sooner and hope no damage was done. I'm sending the oil out to Blackstone Labs for analysis, but it wasn't very dirty since it only had 3k miles on it. much happier camper now!!!
How was the oil level before the change?
I've seen/heard the ticking on cars where the level is low - simply filling to required level has fixed it.
Be prepared to be roasted for even mentioning 0W40 - there are those here for which it's a banned substance.
Personally, I use it on both P cars however, and my VW.
I found a NorCal source for Mobil 1 5W-50 that I'm going to try next time I change my oil. The increase to the 5W may cut down a bit on the consumption...plus the fact it doesn't get very cold here in the Sacramento Valley, but it does get unseasonably hot which would affect the viscosity. The 5W 50 is an approved Porsche oil....mostly used in the UK.
I'm NOT looking to start a discussion on oil viscosity...simply a statement that there is a local source for a weight that I was told was unaviailable here.
Identical levels before & after (down 3 bars - half way on electronic indicator) not any consumption before or after (so far). Also not trying to start a flame war..just some more info for anyone that may be annoyed by the variocam pulse or some lifter tick and "scared" of using M1 0-40 because of some posters misguided rantings.
Chuck, I was going to make the switch to Mobil's 5W50 until I looked at the HTHS (cSt) numbers.
The 5W50 is a 4.22 vs. a 4.35 for the OW40. So, it looks like the 5W50 has a
lower
high-temperature high-shear viscosity than the 0w40. I think this is the downfall of an oil with a large range like a 5W50.
I use 5W40 Red Line. The HTHS viscosity is over 5.
CD: Here's the contact info for the company that carries the Mobil 1 5W 50. They also have the Mobil Delvac 75-90 gear oil which is what's recommended for the 996TT manual tranny and front differential. They sell the oil for around $35 a six-pak and the Delvac for $22 a gallon. They'll break case lots on the gallons of Delvac, but only sell the 5W 50 in the six pak. The owner asked me not to put out a firm price on the oil becasue with the fluctuating market, the prices are going up and down a few dollars according to the current cost per barrel...but you won't find any cheaper source....believe me, I've spent days looking.
Here's the contact info for E.R.Vine and Company:
2825 Railroad Ave
Ceres, CA , 95307-4625
Phone: [phone removed]
FAX: [phone removed]
H20: I'm not very knowledgeable about the pro/cons or chemical make-up of the various oils and am only going off of what I've read and have seen as listed by Porsche as "approved". You may well be correct, I just don't have the background to be able to respond to your comment. One thing I know is that there are a bunch of guys holding their breath hoping that this won't evolve into another major discussion or long drawn out novel on which oil is better....so I offer the contact info for the company in response to CD's question...and that's all. No popcorn....
Let us know what the analysis shows?
I use M-1 0w40 in the 996. I use M-1 15w50 in the 964.
An argument I hear that seems it could have validity is that the newer oils are different enough that they could negatively effect the older cars. I believed this argument enough (or had a weak moment) to order some ZDDP additive for my 964. The article said that the newer cars are designed to perform well enough with the newer oils but the older cars need an additional shot of the ZDDP, which implied to me the 996 was OK, but the 964 may need an extra shot. I only used 1/2 the recommended amount of the additive. Guess I'm not totally convinced yet.
I meant to send my last oil change sample on the 964 out to test but forgot! I'll catch the 996 as I will change it in the next couple of weeks.
You guys aren't going to believe this because I didn't believe it when the service advisor at the Honda dealership told me that Honda uses 0W-20 oil (non-synthetic) in their cars.
Now we're talking about the proverbial "water" (as someone here has called it)!
Just the facts: I had 5W-50 in the 996 when I bought it, and had the ticking for about 10-15 seconds every time I started it. Also, it burned about a quart in 1500 miles. Switched to 0W-40 and no more ticking and not a drop of oil gone. I'm a believer (and about to be flamed, I suspect).
Bob
WRONG
The difference between the min. and max.(6 bars IIRC) on the engine oil level gauge is 1.5 liters which is about 50 ounces. Therefore, if his oil level was 3 bars low his engine was approx. 25 ounces below maximum capacity.
Operating the engine 3 bars low would not have caused the ticking sound.
DreamCarrera, maybe you are correct, but I have been told the info in our owners manual states that 1 bar is equal to just over 13 ounces. I don't have access to my manual to confirm, though.
DreamCarrera, this old post may prove helpful about the 13 ounce per bar comment:
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-forum/442077-should-i-take-it-back.html
Sure about the pricing on the Delvac gallons??? That stuff runs nearly $50 a gallon and not many dealers have it.
Here's a link to one of the more popular places it is purchased from guys here on the board:
LUFTEKNIC
I just bought a gallon of Delvac M1 75-90 at Lufteknic (they are 2 miles from me) $42.
I don't know about the 13 or 8 oz's per bar, but on my 2002, the bars exactly match the one quart low to fill line on the dipstick, so by my calcs that is 5.3 ounces/bar. So at most I am 1/2 qt (16 ounces, 2 cups) low from total full. A little more (25oz, 3 cups) if it is 1.5 liters between min/max on the dipstick. I notice a change in idle quality if I go total full, and others have noticed the same. There is NO way 1/2 qt or .75 L down from total full can cause lifter tick. And I make my measurements level , totally cold. If I check it hot, it is down 1 to 2 bars. Nary a drop in the 3k + miles I've owned the car, and according to the PO, but I never believe anything I don't witness myself!
And I am glad that Rotokim experienced the same results as I. Did you notice any difference when the variocam kicks in? 3.4's may be different feeling than 3.6's...I suspect mine had higher viscosity as well...it is noticeably freer (Freeer?) reving, (revs to higher rpms faster out of gear) now than before the oil change.
Yes I'm sure on the pricing. I ordered two gallons from back east before I found these guys in Ceres....and I paid $42 a gallon plus shipping!! Then I went on a quest for something closer to home and cheaper and found these guys...I spoke to them two weeks ago and the price was $24 a gallon. I even wrote the "other company" who sold me the Delvac for $42 and asked if perhaps they had made an administrative error on pricing....never got a reply.
Bottom line....the phone number is posted...call them and put an end to the question.
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
