996 GT3 Oil Change

[Wayne K]

Just bought this car a couple months ago so haven't changed the oil yet. Car is in winter storeage/enclosed building. Wanted to change oil/filter. I had checked the oil level several times before storeage and on the computer and the dipstip it showed to be at the correct level. I didn't want to run the car in the enclosed building so I started by removing the drain plug on the oil tank. To my surprise only about 1 to 2 quarts of oil came out. The manual says to bring oil up to operating temperature before draining. My questions are:

1) Is there a thermostat system that doesn't allow the oil to drain from the tank unless the oil is at operating temp?

2) If the answer to #1 above is yes am I OK to start the engine ( I've reinstalled the drain plug ) to warm the oil seeing I've only drained less than 2 qts.?

3) If the answer to #1 above is no, why isn't more oil draining from the tank?

[RFM]

There are two drain plugs, one on the tank and one on the left side of the engine crank case.

After a long time of stand stil a part of the oil flows back in to the crank case, this is the reason for the small amount of oil you spot. You have to remove both drain plugs.

[Loren]

:welcome:

Have a look at the DIY...

Oil Change Instructions

[Wayne K]

There are two drain plugs, one on the tank and one on the left side of the engine crank case.

After a long time of stand stil a part of the oil flows back in to the crank case, this is the reason for the small amount of oil you spot. You have to remove both drain plugs.

The car hadn't been run for over a month. As it isn't practical for me to run the car at this time my plan was to drain the tank for a day and then the crankcase for a day and change out the filter. Per Loren's instructions I guess I started with the wrong drain plug. From what you've said should I expect the majority of the oil to drain from the crankcase vs the tank if the car hasn't been run for a month and just the opposite if the oil is at operating temp? If I don't have to run the car to get a proper drain I would like to finish this project. Otherwise I'll wait until spring. Does the oil temp have anything to do with the amount of oil that can be drained from the system?

Wayne K

[Wayne K]

:welcome:

Have a look at the DIY...

Oil Change Instructions

Thanks Loren. See my reply to RFM. If you can respond to my reply please do so.

Wayne K

[Loren]

I suspect that if the engine isn't warm then the oil will drain very slowly.

If you still had the two quarts of drained oil - I would put them back in - warm the engine up then drain both the tank and crankcase.