What oil should I buy ?

[J4CKO]

Probably been covered before ad nauseum but thought I would ask anyway, I ordered the K and N oil filter but havent decided what oil for my 116,000 mile S2, the previous owner used fully synthetic
and probably very thin Mobil1 but I think it is possibly overkill, expemsive ad a bit thin for an older design, especially one with a few miles under its belt, it seems to be in fine health, sounds fine, doesnt blow any smoke and pulls very nicely. The only issue it has is a drip from the rear of the engine, not sure if its the head gasket weeping oil or what, had an endo cam round there but couldnt make much out, am thinking that a thicker oil might prevent oil escaping, the oil pressure never drops below 2.5 bar.

So, any recommendations, and how much do I need, do I need a new sump washer as well ?

 

[944 man]

Id buy a new sump washer and a Porsvhe oil filter. Itll be better than what you have and it may cost less.

I wouldnt scrimp on the oil quality, but Id possibly go for a 10W-. Really, you need to know what the previous owner used - if it isnt using oil then that will be fine, no matter how 'thin'.

 

[Craigybaby]

Think you need 7 litres for an oil change. Was about to post something similar myself. I want to just pop to Halfords & get something tomorrow, unsure between magnatec 10w/40 or Edge 0w/40.

 

[J4CKO]

So, ditch the filter I just spent £11 on ?

I am not going to get that fussy about a 3/4 grand, 116k, 22 year old car to be fretting over which filter when I have bought what I imagine to be a quality one already, was more thinkign about the quantity and type of oil, need to find what is in it.

 

[Copperman05]

Mark, to be able to recommend an oil its useful to know how it is to be used, so.

1. Is the car used in the winter months?
2. What sort of driving to you do? Is it a daily driver? Or Weekend warrior?
3. Do you take it on track or drive particularly hard?
4. Does it consume much oil?


Edd

 

[J4CKO]

WIll use the car whenever I get chance but have only done 2k in the last year, dont use it on track and doesnt seem to consume much apart from whatever it loses onto the exhaust every now and again, have other cars to use so I tend to use it when the weather is decent, taking a 944 out at the moment on wet, salty roads is asking to come out and find a dust pan and brushes worth of sills come Spring.

 

[zcacogp]

Oil has been covered on here so many times before it's not worth writing a response, frankly. Search is your friend, and there is no 'right' answer.

ORIGINAL: J4CKO
... taking a 944 out at the moment on wet, salty roads is asking to come out and find a dust pan and brushes worth of sills come Spring.

Tell that to the many people on here who use their 944 as a daily driver, rain or shine. And there is no rust in my sills that I am aware of, thanks.


Oli.

 

[Craigybaby]

as a new owner I'd like to hear it all again, but won't put a gun to anyone's head. humour us..

 

[Copperman05]

Having a bad day Oli?

Mark, the manual recommends 10W40 for these cars, although you can go thicker for track days, etc or a tad thinner for better winter starts and protection. Personally I wouldn't go thinner than a 5W40, as the 0W grades tend to shear down quicker.

If you don't want to spend too much Millers do a very good semi synthetic 10W40 that has a higher than normal percentage of synthetic oil content (30 odd% apparently) and probably decent enough for your needs, just change it every 5-6000 miles/annually.

*editied to add yes to new sump washer, my last one leaked but stopped after fitting the replacment, you'll need about 7 litres, if you buy 10 then you have enough for top ups over the year*



Edd

 

[J4CKO]

ORIGINAL: zcacogp

Oil has been covered on here so many times before it's not worth writing a response, frankly. Search is your friend, and there is no 'right' answer.

ORIGINAL: J4CKO
... taking a 944 out at the moment on wet, salty roads is asking to come out and find a dust pan and brushes worth of sills come Spring.

Tell that to the many people on here who use their 944 as a daily driver, rain or shine. And there is no rust in my sills that I am aware of, thanks.


Oli.

Oli, I was hoping to convey a certain amount of irony, mine lives outside and gets used when I want to use it, life is too short to worry about such things, mine has a little bit of rust coming through but I will deal with that come spring.

The oil thing varies depending on what you read, the age of the thread etc, the conceived wisdom seems to change over time and am hoping that it might stem/cure the weep from the back of the head as I really cant be arsed taking the head off.

 

[bighead]

there are a 20% discount on Eurocar parts website...so you can buy a better grade of oil for less or try opec oil website

 

[944 man]

Opie at a guess. OPEC arent that interested in 10l deals...

[]

 

[Veerzigzag]

The only issue it has is a drip from the rear of the engine

I have a similar leak, get the occasional drip onto the exhaust. No visible source (not even the infamous leaky cork gasket) so I am leaving it well alone - when people comment on the slight smell I say it's a sports car with a high performance engine and that smell is redolent of classic racing.
K&N filters have rolled threads which is good for not wearing the thread on the engine side, they also have an anti-drain valve inside, so the oil pump does not have to fill up the filter before pressurised oil gets to the bearings. I have one on my car and it works just fine..
I use a Pela oil extractor that sucks the engine oil up out of the dipstick socket - go for a blast to warm up the oil then change it without having to faff about under the car undoing drain plugs, getting hot oil up your sleeve and buying new washers.
The 944 engine was designed for 10W40, so the above comments about using that weight generally, but thicker for track days and thinner (5W not 0W) for deepest winter make absolute sense.
Synthetic oil is specifically designed for very long oil change intervals but no benefit if you change your oil regularly (that should start a few comments..)
Castrol has looked after my various engines for many many years and I currently use Magnatec.

 

[eddieedmo]

I use 10w40 semi synthetic oil which my local Porsche specialist says is ideal , don't need full synthetic for normal use.Last change a month ago I used an engine flush and was amazed that a clean old oil became very black and dirty when the flush had worked irs magic.The engine has done 176k with h/gasket/valve relap about 8k miles ago.No problems with leaks or running after treatment.I change the oil and filter twice a year approx 3k miles between changes.No noticeable oil usage at the moment.

Nick

 

[andy watson]

I use Mobil Super S, take my own container to OPC and buy how ever much I want from them.........easy

 

[J4CKO]

ORIGINAL: Veerzigzag

The only issue it has is a drip from the rear of the engine

I have a similar leak, get the occasional drip onto the exhaust. No visible source (not even the infamous leaky cork gasket) so I am leaving it well alone - when people comment on the slight smell I say it's a sports car with a high performance engine and that smell is redolent of classic racing.
K&N filters have rolled threads which is good for not wearing the thread on the engine side, they also have an anti-drain valve inside, so the oil pump does not have to fill up the filter before pressurised oil gets to the bearings. I have one on my car and it works just fine..
I use a Pela oil extractor that sucks the engine oil up out of the dipstick socket - go for a blast to warm up the oil then change it without having to faff about under the car undoing drain plugs, getting hot oil up your sleeve and buying new washers.
The 944 engine was designed for 10W40, so the above comments about using that weight generally, but thicker for track days and thinner (5W not 0W) for deepest winter make absolute sense.
Synthetic oil is specifically designed for very long oil change intervals but no benefit if you change your oil regularly (that should start a few comments..)
Castrol has looked after my various engines for many many years and I currently use Magnatec.

Not just mine then, it is like it is a bit flatulent, nothing for ages, then "Jesus, is that you ?", like a whiffy old Border Collie, I also put it down to being an old sports car, Porche think of everything though, the oil that would have ruined my block paving just gets vapourised by the ideally placed exhaust, the smell I think is redolent of burning engine oil, evokes images of aging BL products and worn piston rings to me, as long as I know what it is, I am not bothered, when it first happened it was quite alarming, it seems to be if I am a over enthusiastic whilst the car isnt warm it does it, like I have been told off for being an unsympathetic dick.

Might get an oil extractor, can see the appeal of not grovelling under the car and rounding sump nuts off and stuff.

Will see what 10w 40 is on offer, like has been said, changing the oil once a year after 2k, the frequency of oil changes wont be the thing that wears the car out, thing is am not sure what is in it, will check the history, the previous owner swore by Mobil 1, but not sure what grade but get the impression they tend to be the thinner end, thinking that the oil leak may be less on a thicker oil grade.

 

[944 man]

When Jeremy owned my car he had the cam cover gasket replaced more than once to no avail. It turned out to be the cam cover which was cracked.

 

[zcacogp]

ORIGINAL: Copperman05
Having a bad day Oli?

No, not particularly thanks. However the whole oil thing annoys me quote a lot and discussions on the topic never get anywhere; they just end up with everyone spouting their opinion and there is no 'right' answer. It annoys me when someone who hasn't read such a discussion before comes on here and asks the question again, and the same old same old is trotted out again. Don't be lazy, don't expect others to re-type answers they may have written before and use the search system - to my mind that's just good manners. Craigybaby, in order to help you out here is a link to a search for the word "Oil" on these forums:

http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/searchpro.asp?p=1&forumid=15&topicreply=combined&phrase=oil&author=&message=body&submitbutton=OK&timeframe=%3E&top=300&criteria=AND&timefilter=-365&language=single

Knock yourself out ...

ORIGINAL: J4CKO

Oli, I was hoping to convey a certain amount of irony, mine lives outside and gets used when I want to use it, life is too short to worry about such things, mine has a little bit of rust coming through but I will deal with that come spring.

OK, fair cop. (I did think it was a slightly unusual comment to come from you!) Apologies for being short with you and keep using your 944 as it was intended!

In order not to confuse me with irony you may like to try using some smilies in the future - here are some to choose from!

[] [] [] [8D] [&:] [] [:'(] [] [>:] [] [:-] [X(] [8|] [&o]


Oli.

 

[Copperman05]

If you don't like the oil posts then all I can suggest is you don't read them, no one is forcing you to come here and do so. Your right there is no exact 'right answers' but there are certainly some wrong ones to avoid and some more suited than others. If we applied your logic about threads never getting anywhere then why do we discuss the differing 944 models, which is best? Turbo? S2? 2.7? We never decide but we discuss and thats what forums are for![]


Edd

 

[bighead]

your right as always 944 man []