Oil Level in 986

rfpriddy · #1

According to the 986 Manual, full oil level should be 8.7 quarts with new filter. My question is this. Where does 8.7 quarts (8 quarts and 22.4 ounces).. where does this amount of oil show up on the dipstick, both manual and electronic? Is 8.7 quarts at the top of the fill mark or somewhere between the top and bottom marks? I'm highly sensitive about over-filling (as I have blown out an AOS and destroyed a RMS), so I'd like to know what the proper amount looks like on the measuring devices.

blueline · #2

No dipstick on my 718 or our other P-cars so I cannot comment on that.

However, digital on all my current P's is that the facsimile bar at full represents exactly what the manual calls for.

For me, if fill level indicator is not at the top, then I'll add only a few ounces at a time, checking in-between, until indicator is at the top. This prevents overfilling which, as you mentioned, is critical. Porsche is adamant about too much oil.

rfpriddy · #3

Thanks... I appreciate your comments. Bob

bearbones26 · #4

I have had similar concerns with my 2003 2.7L 986. The dipstick is difficult to read and I am not comfortable relying on the digital readout in a 20+ year old car. On top of that, I have read that Porsche adjusted the oil capacity recommendation at some point to 10 quarts but did not change the digital readout gauge to accommodate that so it always reads completely full. Here is what I do:
Fill the engine with 7 quarts (the 2.7 will take at least that).
Run the engine briefly to circulate oil.
Let it sit for about 20 minutes, have a cup of coffee and maybe a scone.
Recheck dipstick and digital gauge.
Add additional oil and repeat process until the oil is just visible on the dipstick.
When I do this, I end up with about 8.5 quarts. My digital gauge always ends up reading totally full.
By the way, my car has original IMS and RMS, so I am very concerned about over filling.

blueline · #5

bearbones26 wrote: Sun Feb 11, 2024 6:21 am I have had similar concerns with my 2003 2.7L 986. The dipstick is difficult to read and I am not comfortable relying on the digital readout in a 20+ year old car. On top of that, I have read that Porsche adjusted the oil capacity recommendation at some point to 10 quarts but did not change the digital readout gauge to accommodate that so it always reads completely full. Here is what I do:
Fill the engine with 7 quarts (the 2.7 will take at least that).
Run the engine briefly to circulate oil.
Let it sit for about 20 minutes, have a cup of coffee and maybe a scone.
Recheck dipstick and digital gauge.
Add additional oil and repeat process until the oil is just visible on the dipstick.
When I do this, I end up with about 8.5 quarts. My digital gauge always ends up reading totally full.
By the way, my car has original IMS and RMS, so I am very concerned about over filling.

Good feedback - experience like that is always a great indicator for others.

And, welcome to Carpokes!

996C438 · #6

If running an OEM AOS my recommendation is run an oil level that is halfway up on the dash gauge . That correlates to halfway on the dipstick if you have one . That takes some pressure off the AOS rubber diaphragm. If you are running the UAOS you can easily run full and up to a quart over . That's because the diaphragm used in the UAOS is much thicker and moved up near the throttle body . The OEM AOS is quite fragile .

blueline · #7

996C438 wrote: Sun Feb 11, 2024 9:15 am If running an OEM AOS my recommendation is run an oil level that is halfway up on the dash gauge . That correlates to halfway on the dipstick if you have one . That takes some pressure off the AOS rubber diaphragm. If you are running the UAOS you can easily run full and up to a quart over . That's because the diaphragm used in the UAOS is much thicker and moved up near the throttle body . The OEM AOS is quite fragile .

L̶M̶ LN Engineering is quite fine based on all I've read and heard from others!

996C438 · #8

You fat fingered

, it's LN Engineering .

blueline · #9

996C438 wrote: Sun Feb 11, 2024 12:09 pm You fat fingered , it's LN Engineering .

Fat finger indeed! I am a crappy typist and it shows. (My work takes LOTS of editing.

)

I even had the LN site pulled up when I made to post as I was glancing briefly at the differences between AOS and UAOS, not an area of familiarity for me.

LN is a great place for getting oil analyzed. Some good oil education at their site too: https://lnengineering.com/oil.html

rfpriddy · #10

Thanks to all.... In corresponding with Pedro Bonilla, the PCA Boxster expert, he advised, regardless of age, to trust the electronic oil measure.... What I have now is three bars below max on the E gauge and full on the manual. It seems this is a somewhat confusing issue at best with no "perfect" way to check. Also, I've decided, as recommended, fill 8 quarts and then start doing about two ounces at a time to get of to a two to three bar below max on the E gauge.

Thanks, to all...