Oil Level Reading Low

[JulesInFrance]

Hi.

I have owned my 2005 997 C2S for one year now. When I bought the car, it had just been serviced. As I have done some miles this year, I got the car serviced by Porsche in Toulouse, which is the most convenient dealer to where I live. I did not check the car much since (on the assumption that Porsche know what they're doing and everything was done as per the invoice) but noticed a couple of weeks back that the oil level check was saying the oil level had fallen below the minimum (lowest segment flashing). So I have added some oil. The thing is, over the last week and a bit, I have now added a total of 2.5 litres of Mobil 1 (without anything more than local driving) and the indicator is still flashing on the first segment!

At this point I should say I have no obvious leak, I measure on the flat using both hot and cold engine measurements, the car has never previously used oil nor appears to be doing so now (nothing from the exhaust), I have been adding oil in 1/2 litre doses, and I am normally doing 2 x 150 miles every two weeks.

I am now worried that perhaps the oil level sensor is not working properly but no fault has been registered to suggest that. I am also worried that if I keep filling (and the oil level sensor isn't working) I will overfill. If I do keep filling and eventually I get the oil level registering, this would mean 1 of 2 things:
1) The engine is suddenly using or losing a lot of oil with no apparent leak under the car (and time would tell on this)
2) Porsche Toulouse charged me for 8 litres of oil but did not put anywhere near that amount in

I have read the total oil capacity is 10.3 litres but the refill is 8 litres without filter and 8.25 litres with filter.

I am reluctant to keep on putting oil in and as Porsche Toulouse are 150 miles away from me, I am also reluctant to drive it to them for them to check it.

Any advice on what I should do next would be very gratefully received!

Thanks in advance,
Jules

 

[Robin M]

I would either take it back to Porsche Tolouse and get them to check the sensor or a good independent garage depending on how you feel about the OPC. Don’t keep putting more oil in.

 

[Motorhead]

Jules,

I'd have to agree with Robin on this - it sounds very much like a sensor fault if there are no obvious leaks and you're not burning oil.

Unfortunately there's no other way to check the oil level other than to drain and refill to confirm the correct quantity of oil. Dipsticks have their uses..!

Jeff

 

[Gordon Attar]

Take it back to Toulouse , though sounds like they didn't put enough oil in. They will no doubt cover their backsides and blame a sensor. I would insist on watching the removal of oil and measuring there of. Or get a local garage to do the oil removal check.

Or put a half a litre in at a time until it registers on the segments then you will know it was Tolouse.

 

[JulesInFrance]

Thanks for the replies and sorry for my VERY late response on this. We had a big storm in France a few weeks back and only just got our internet working again.

Long story short, I drained the oil and found that Porsche Toulouse had only put 3.5 litres of oil in during the service!!! I have since filled it and after quite a few runs found no leakage and no usage, so I know this to be the truth. I cannot believe that a Porsche garage would make such a mistake(?), this on top of the fact that they also put a massive scratch in my car door, which they have since painted. Obviously I cannot prove that they only put in 3.5 litres of oil but I will be writing to them to see what they say.

My bigger concern is that I drove about 1,000 km on 3.5 litres of oil, including to Le Mans, which shall we say was more spirited driving than usual. No obvious symptoms as a result but I sincerely hope that no damage has been done. They always say some oil is better than no oil but even so, it must have been border line. My fault for not checking it before and relying on Porsche I guess. Lesson now learned.

Jules

 

[anthonygallagher]

Hi Jules

Did you get any Low Oil warning lights as I have just put 1litre in mine and still have the first (lowest) bar flashing. Just wondering if to add some more, same as you no leaks or smoke, and no warning lights.

Cheers

Anthony

 

[JulesInFrance]

Hi Anthony,

No! No low oil warning light. And that was part of the annoyance at the time. Quite some time has passed now and the car now uses about 3/4 litre of oil per 1,000 km, which I think is a lot, where it used none before that service. I am convinced Porsche Toulouse's mistake has therefore damaged the engine.

You could try adding another 1/2 litre or so after which I strongly recommend you drain the oil you have in there to see home much is there, and do not drive far until you do. Its probably the easiest job on a 997. Just get it up in the air, securely on axle stands if you use a jack, undo the drain plug in the sump and let oil drain out into a large oil drain. Don't forget you're expecting 8 litres, which is more than most standard oil drains hold so something bigger is better.

Let me know what you discover!

Jules