981 GTS Oil Consumption

[911hillclimber]

Unless you know the level when you got it you cannot be sure.

it is now at the level that is correct?

assuming it is, then you may not have to wait long to the display giving you the warning?

if you do get the warning after just 1000 miles or so then something is very wrong and will need some educated examination.

Graham

 

[rodneyhj]

Thanks Graham.

When I saw the car it had only done 300 miles since the oil change so I didn't check the level.

After I put the 1 litre in today I checked the level on the display and it was up 2 notches from the low level.

I shall keep a close watch on it but I haven't seen any other evidence of leakage and the exhaust looks normal.

It is difficult to believe that PC Leeds would fiddle something like this but who knows?

Rodney

 

[rodneyhj]

I bought my GTS in a private sale just before the lockdown.
In January it had had a major maintenance carried out by PC Leeds including an oil change with 7.5 litres charged(£90 plus VAT). Mileage was 25,274.
Today with mileage at 26,967 I had a prompt that minimum oil level reached. I put in 1 litre and the level went up 2 notches on the multi-purpose display.
Is this normal, have I a serious problem or have PC Leeds taken the previous owner for a ride?

 

[COD981]

There is also the possibility that the level sensor is faulty and there is more oil on board than the gauge is indicating

Thanks Graham.

When I saw the car it had only done 300 miles since the oil change so I didn't check the level.

After I put the 1 litre in today I checked the level on the display and it was up 2 notches from the low level.

I shall keep a close watch on it but I haven't seen any other evidence of leakage and the exhaust looks normal.

It is difficult to believe that PC Leeds would fiddle something like this but who knows?

Rodney

 

[rodneyhj]

That is another possibility and I don't want to overfill. Why can't we have the old-fashioned dipstick?!

 

[911hillclimber]

Because, apparently, we have to progress...

Porsche obviously feel Boxster and new Porsche owners can't do the check.

Retrograde step in many people's mind to a critical pre journey check.

 

[Motorhead]

Rodney,

Although there's always some confusion about the actual sump capacity* but my understanding is that the manual says the fill capacity is 7.5L with an oil filter change - as per the Leeds service - although depending upon the drain time more oil could be necessary**, and the tech most probably won't have checked the level after filling with the standard 7.5L. I suspect that the Dealers always include (and charge you for!) a litre carton of Mobil 1 with every service so that you can top-up if necessary.

For reference, I think your Driver's Manual will say that Porsche considers an oil consumption up to 1.5L in 1000km as acceptable. On that basis it's possible that if the level was one or two segments down after the service and you've used about 1.0L in your 2,000 miles, which is acceptable according to Porsche, this has triggered the level warning. Each segment on the gauge is approximately 0.4L and if adding 1.0L has changed the display by 2-segments that sounds about right, so I'm sure the gauge is displaying correctly.

Jeff

* 10.1L dry apparently.

** Some US owners reckon that if they leave the oil to drain for 30mins or more the refill can be up to 8.5L. However, whichever way you look at it there could still be quite a lot of old oil swilling around after any oil and filter change.

 

[PaulJ]

For what it's worth my 981 GTS has done 42,000 miles now, and barely uses any oil (less than a litre) between services. I'll also throw my hat in with the electric level indicator haters too. Sack the dip-stick who axed the dipstick!

 

[Motorhead]

Although my 987.2 CS is a limited-use car, but track days included, the only time I've need to top-up is after a service when the tech has put in the prescribed 7.5L of oil, leaving the level 1-segment down on the display.

Chaps, we tend to rely on 'the electronics' these days and in general they're very reliable, but I think we all hanker after some good old mechanical confirmation on occasions.

Jeff

 

[s999sws]

Just a point, where do you think the dipstick could go as the car is mid-engined?

SWS

 

[Motorhead]

I think it would have to be located adjacent to the oil filler cap Stephen. Maybe I'm wrong but didn't the 986 Boxster have a dipstick?

Jeff

 

[JohnCRS]

Sorry if his is stating the obvious, but do follow the handbook instructions for checking the oil and ensure the car is level. It can be sensitive and you don't want to overfill.

 

[rodneyhj]

Thanks Jeff for the explanation.

i have put in about 1.75 litres and it now says the level is OK and the display is green. i'll keep an eye on it whilst I am away with it next week

 

[rodneyhj]

John,

I have been following the handbook and I'm very conscious about overfilling

 

[911hillclimber]

Bit of a shock that consumption of 1.5 L /1K KM is acceptable!

At that rare the car will never need fresh oil as at the service interval of about 20K Km about 30 L of oil will have passed through the engine and onto the planet!

In my 32K miles I've never added oil between services, but 987.2 car.

I think 986's did have a dipstick by the boot mounted filler, so sensible.

Dip-stick delete engineer must have deleted the manual handbrake too, another daft idea.

I hope your oil issues will be over and that you can have a good consumption, be interesting to know what the dash says in 1000 miles time.

Doubt OPC techs check the oil level after re-fill because the car has to be hot and that takes time hence £££

 

[Motorhead]

+1 on the electric handbrake Graham - sign of the times I'm afraid, and all in the quest for a clutter-free centre console.!

My guess at the oil and filter change procedure goes something like: remove drain plug; remove and replace oil filter carton; replace drain plug with new washer; dial-in oil quantity required for given car on auto oil dispenser; refill sump. Job done.! 15 minutes max???

Jeff

 

[PaulJ]

Dip-stick delete engineer must have deleted the manual handbrake too, another daft idea.

Well said that man.