987 oil gauge seems stationary

[jcassidy]

Hi all.

My 987's oil gauge seems to be stuck on max (three segments lit up) for the past 3,500 miles. Is this normal, or should I be worried? If there was a problem with the gauge, would the Engine Light on the dash light up?

Cheers.

J

[RFM]

There is probably too much oil in the engine, the oil level should stay on the upper mark ( 4 segment ). You can drain approx. 1 quart, check the level, fill up till upper mark, all with cold engine and on a flat floor.

[jcassidy]

There is probably too much oil in the engine, the oil level should stay on the upper mark ( 4 segment ). You can drain approx. 1 quart, check the level, fill up till upper mark, all with cold engine and on a flat floor.

Thanks RFM. You did well to see this at all, considering I posted it in the wrong section!

[White987S]

There are more than 3 segments on the 987 oil gauge. So, how can yours be stuck on the third? If so, then your car is LOW on oil, not overfilled. Each segment is equal to approximately 8 ounces of oil. So, adjust accordingly.

[jcassidy]

There are more than 3 segments on the 987 oil gauge. So, how can yours be stuck on the third? If so, then your car is LOW on oil, not overfilled. Each segment is equal to approximately 8 ounces of oil. So, adjust accordingly.

Yes, there are five sections in total, including the "too little oil" and "too much oil" slivers.

What I mean is that the gauge has been lit up as full (not encroaching into the "overfull" sliver) for some distance now - even after a 3,000+ miles continental drive. Would have thought it might have dropped down a segment after that.

Probably worrying unduly - but in the absence of a reassuring dipstick (not talking about myself here), wondered if the engine light would announce its presence in the event of there being a fault with the gauge.

[White987S]

I have found the 987 oil gauge to be very-very accurate.

I have never had to add oil between oil changes. In my first year I did about 7,500 miles and last year I did 10,000 miles. Never adding oil. This is a good thing. And I contribute part of this good fortune to a properly broken in engine per Porsche's recommended procedure.

[paulv]

There are more than 3 segments on the 987 oil gauge. So, how can yours be stuck on the third? If so, then your car is LOW on oil, not overfilled. Each segment is equal to approximately 8 ounces of oil. So, adjust accordingly.

Yes, there are five sections in total, including the "too little oil" and "too much oil" slivers.

What I mean is that the gauge has been lit up as full (not encroaching into the "overfull" sliver) for some distance now - even after a 3,000+ miles continental drive. Would have thought it might have dropped down a segment after that.

Probably worrying unduly - but in the absence of a reassuring dipstick (not talking about myself here), wondered if the engine light would announce its presence in the event of there being a fault with the gauge.

DTCs that would light up the CEL are generic codes that relate to oil temp/pressure (and its electrical circuit) -- never seen any manuf codes (P1xxx) for over capacity. As others have pointed out, the gauge is not linear and measures in steps, so you can get flakey readings if the oil level is at the threshold of one of those steps, not on a level surface, oil is hot.

Regards,

paul...

[paulv]

I have found the 987 oil gauge to be very-very accurate.

I have never had to add oil between oil changes. In my first year I did about 7,500 miles and last year I did 10,000 miles. Never adding oil. This is a good thing. And I contribute part of this good fortune to a properly broken in engine per Porsche's recommended procedure.

Agree, I added 0.5 qts of oil within the first 2000 miles, and never added a drop since -- car's got 15000 miles on it now.

Regards,

paul...

[jcassidy]

I have found the 987 oil gauge to be very-very accurate.

I have never had to add oil between oil changes. In my first year I did about 7,500 miles and last year I did 10,000 miles. Never adding oil. This is a good thing. And I contribute part of this good fortune to a properly broken in engine per Porsche's recommended procedure.

Great. Thanks all - I feel at ease now. yes, White987S, I was careful breaking it in. Not shy about revving it now though, I can assure you. It's that bloody sound... I hear it in my sleep!!! Yes, sad or what!

Thanks again. Great forum with good, constructive comments and advice all round.