BMW M3 10W-60 Oil for 02 996 3.6

[Tecra]

what up fellow porsche drivers

well after having the 02' 996 cabrio c2 for going on 2 years now and driven pretty hard, im finding that im burning oil pretty quickly. my mechanic did an oil consumption test over 1000 miles and the car went through just about all of the oil. she needs about one quart every 500-600 miles with about 56,000 miles on her. she has many modifications, including schnell cold air intake, k&n air filter, 3rd radiator install, muffler by-pass pipes that may be effecting the cars oil consumption. my mechanic recently told me about BMWs new M3 oil which is 10w-60. anyone have any ideas on utilizing this oil? im sure porsche has yet to approve it :huh:

[JeTexas]

I don't think intake, radiator or exhaust mods would affect oil consumption in any way.

No idea about whether or not you should try the oil.

Edited April 29, 2009 by JeTexas

[Benjamin Choi]

no

[1999Porsche911]

Try filling it with Mobil EXTENDED PERFORMANCE 15W50 should drastically reduce oil consumption and provide better protection.

[Benjamin Choi]

Try filling it with Mobil EXTENDED PERFORMANCE 15W50 should drastically reduce oil consumption and provide better protection.

no

[Tecra]

I don't think intake, radiator or exhaust mods would affect oil consumption in any way.

No idea about whether or not you should try the oil.

thanks for the response guys!

JeTexas, im thinking those mods are adding more air in the car and its overly compensating with oil and fuel? i'am also getting less mpg than originally when i had the cars w/o modifications. im not complaining about mpg though, more oil consumption than anything else.

any feel for your 996 oil consumption over a 1000 mile period anyone?

[1999Porsche911]

I don't think intake, radiator or exhaust mods would affect oil consumption in any way.

No idea about whether or not you should try the oil.

thanks for the response guys!

JeTexas, im thinking those mods are adding more air in the car and its overly compensating with oil and fuel? i'am also getting less mpg than originally when i had the cars w/o modifications. im not complaining about mpg though, more oil consumption than anything else.

any feel for your 996 oil consumption over a 1000 mile period anyone?

Zero, nada, zippo oil usage, ever. But, then again, I only use Mobil 0W40 for keeping the door hinges from squeaking. Move to the Mobil 15W50 I suggested above as it has better cleaning agents than any of the other Mobil synthetics. I have yet to see an engine that burns oil using Mobil 0W40 that did not substantially reduce or eliminate oil burning.

Edited April 29, 2009 by 1999Porsche911

[Loren]

I don't think intake, radiator or exhaust mods would affect oil consumption in any way.

No idea about whether or not you should try the oil.

thanks for the response guys!

JeTexas, im thinking those mods are adding more air in the car and its overly compensating with oil and fuel? i'am also getting less mpg than originally when i had the cars w/o modifications. im not complaining about mpg though, more oil consumption than anything else.

any feel for your 996 oil consumption over a 1000 mile period anyone?

Zero, nada, zippo oil usage, ever. But, then again, I only use Mobil 0W40 for keeping the door hinges from squeaking. Move to the Mobil 15W50 I suggested above as it has better cleaning agents than any of the other Mobil synthetics. I have yet to see an engine that burns oil using Mobil 0W40 that did not substantially reduce or eliminate oil burning.

Please don't start this oil debate again - you have voiced your opinion many times on this. Thank you.

If it continues I will close this thread.

[JeTexas]

I don't think intake, radiator or exhaust mods would affect oil consumption in any way.

No idea about whether or not you should try the oil.

thanks for the response guys!

JeTexas, im thinking those mods are adding more air in the car and its overly compensating with oil and fuel? i'am also getting less mpg than originally when i had the cars w/o modifications. im not complaining about mpg though, more oil consumption than anything else.

any feel for your 996 oil consumption over a 1000 mile period anyone?

You're definitely moving more air, which in turn requires more fuel, but it shouldn't require more oil.

I have a 99 996 C2 with 109k miles and get no oil consumption whatsoever.

[Benjamin Choi]

I don't think intake, radiator or exhaust mods would affect oil consumption in any way.

No idea about whether or not you should try the oil.

thanks for the response guys!

JeTexas, im thinking those mods are adding more air in the car and its overly compensating with oil and fuel? i'am also getting less mpg than originally when i had the cars w/o modifications. im not complaining about mpg though, more oil consumption than anything else.

any feel for your 996 oil consumption over a 1000 mile period anyone?

Move to the Mobil 15W50 I suggested above as it has better cleaning agents than any of the other Mobil synthetics. I have yet to see an engine that burns oil using Mobil 0W40 that did not substantially reduce or eliminate oil burning.

the directions on the box say don't exceed 4 tablets in the span of 24 hours

your dealer said gulp down about 15 of those bad boys to handle business

[1999Porsche911]

I don't think intake, radiator or exhaust mods would affect oil consumption in any way.

No idea about whether or not you should try the oil.

thanks for the response guys!

JeTexas, im thinking those mods are adding more air in the car and its overly compensating with oil and fuel? i'am also getting less mpg than originally when i had the cars w/o modifications. im not complaining about mpg though, more oil consumption than anything else.

any feel for your 996 oil consumption over a 1000 mile period anyone?

Zero, nada, zippo oil usage, ever. But, then again, I only use Mobil 0W40 for keeping the door hinges from squeaking. Move to the Mobil 15W50 I suggested above as it has better cleaning agents than any of the other Mobil synthetics. I have yet to see an engine that burns oil using Mobil 0W40 that did not substantially reduce or eliminate oil burning.

Please don't start this oil debate again - you have voiced your opinion many times on this. Thank you.

If it continues I will close this thread.

I don't see a debate, but guidance. If you don't want people responding to other's questions, I suggest you block them from doing so. I will continue to respond to people's questions when I have the opinions/answers. If you do not want me too, you are welcome to ban me from this forum.

[Jon996]

To the original poster--I am not far off of your oil consumption results. Since Porsche won't do anything (I am even under warranty!) threads like this are helpful. I am at 44K.

So far I have done compression and leak-down tests as well as a new AOS. After reading a lot of threads and polls, it just seems that some burn oil and some don't, and it might just be QC at the factory.

[Tecra]

Please don't start this oil debate again - you have voiced your opinion many times on this. Thank you.

If it continues I will close this thread.

Loren, sorry to start this debate. just had some thoughts that i wanted to share with other 996 owners. i know your knowledge of Porsche's is very extensive and just hope to attain information from this great forum. do you have have some information regarding burning oil in my car?

my best,

tecra :renntech:

[wross996TT]

I think what Loren is suggesting is to search the many forums for opinions on oil...I suggest you search on Doug Hillary (Rennlist I believe) in particular. Loren just doesn't want to continue the oil debates ad nauseam...

(BTW 10W60 is way too thick)

[wvicary]

I would suspect maybe a problem with the oil separator.

[c70Pete]

you should do a leak down AND compression test on your engine.... high oil consumption is a sign of internal wear.... it sounds like you track it a lot as well so these tests will tell you whether to keep or get rid of the car...

[Jon996]

you should do a leak down AND compression test on your engine.... high oil consumption is a sign of internal wear.... it sounds like you track it a lot as well so these tests will tell you whether to keep or get rid of the car...

I have to admit, I had both of these tests done (at my expense) and my car passed both with really good results. Porsche tolerates a lot of oil consumption before covering under warranty.

[c70Pete]

Jon,

can you share your test results with us...? values for leakdown and compression?

[CosmosC4S]

FYI, if it helps at all...my 02 C4S currently with 91k miles, surprisingly does not burn any oil at all. The dipstick shows the exact same level from oil change to the next, a year later. I'm also using 15W50.

[c70Pete]

FYI, if it helps at all...my 02 C4S currently with 91k miles, surprisingly does not burn any oil at all. The dipstick shows the exact same level from oil change to the next, a year later. I'm also using 15W50.

have you been using 15W50 since day one?

[cyclocross]

FYI, if it helps at all...my 02 C4S currently with 91k miles, surprisingly does not burn any oil at all. The dipstick shows the exact same level from oil change to the next, a year later. I'm also using 15W50.

Same here. My 2002 C2 with 64,000 miles does not use oil between annual changes (about 8,000 miles). However, I use Mobil 1 0W-40. As a point of reference my wife's 2002 325i, 66,000 miles, also does not use any oil between changes (about 7,500 miles). That car uses BMW's 5W-30 synthetic, which is their special blend of Castrol Syntec.

Edited May 2, 2009 by cyclocross

[White987S]

I have had many cars over the years, and have NEVER added oil between oil changes, including my Porsche.

With my 2006 987S I did the following:

1) Religiously followed the break-in procedure (not easy to do!)

2) Changed the oil at the 1,000 mile mark (I think this is a good thing and worth the $$)

3) My last 3 oil changes (yearly) have been with Red Line 5W40

[Benjamin Choi]

I have had many cars over the years, and have NEVER added oil between oil changes, including my Porsche.

With my 2006 987S I did the following:

1) Religiously followed the break-in procedure (not easy to do!)

2) Changed the oil at the 1,000 mile mark (I think this is a good thing and worth the $$)

3) My last 3 oil changes (yearly) have been with Red Line 5W40

there seems to be this popular notion, a follow the leader mentality that an engine that does not burn oil is somehow better than an engine that does when in fact the only downside with the latter is the annoyance factor in topping off oil however frequently you need to do it. more greater the frequency the more annoying it gets.

so long as it's within porsche's allowance, i wouldn't be afraid of the engine... with that said.... porsche's allowance requires a lot of annoying time spent topping off plus expense.

my S54 M3 engine burned oil. it dynoed higher than any stock S54 at the dyno day here back several years ago. my f20c honda engine burned oil. same dyno results relative to others. i followed the break-in guidelines to a tee. so me making the claim that an engine that does burn moderate amounts of oil means greater relative power output... it's just as absurd of a claim/notion that it's somehow better, more desireable to have an engine that does burn oil.

good luck with your "issue". not many porsches that i've read about burn as much oil as yours. it seems excessive. but again the answer is not running oil weights/brands not on porsche's recommended list.

[1999Porsche911]

I have had many cars over the years, and have NEVER added oil between oil changes, including my Porsche.

With my 2006 987S I did the following:

1) Religiously followed the break-in procedure (not easy to do!)

2) Changed the oil at the 1,000 mile mark (I think this is a good thing and worth the $$)

3) My last 3 oil changes (yearly) have been with Red Line 5W40

there seems to be this popular notion, a follow the leader mentality that an engine that does not burn oil is somehow better than an engine that does when in fact the only downside with the latter is the annoyance factor in topping off oil however frequently you need to do it. more greater the frequency the more annoying it gets.

so long as it's within porsche's allowance, i wouldn't be afraid of the engine... with that said.... porsche's allowance requires a lot of annoying time spent topping off plus expense.

my S54 M3 engine burned oil. it dynoed higher than any stock S54 at the dyno day here back several years ago. my f20c honda engine burned oil. same dyno results relative to others. i followed the break-in guidelines to a tee. so me making the claim that an engine that does burn moderate amounts of oil means greater relative power output... it's just as absurd of a claim/notion that it's somehow better, more desireable to have an engine that does burn oil.

good luck with your "issue". not many porsches that i've read about burn as much oil as yours. it seems excessive. but again the answer is not running oil weights/brands not on porsche's recommended list.

It's NOT just the "annoyance" of having to add oil. Your CAT's can be destroyed prematurely, carbon buldup in intake, valves, etc, reduction in octane rating of fuel, fouling of plugs, etc, etc. Not to mention the increased pollution in causes. At Porsche's worse "acceptable" level of oil burning, it can also add almost $0.25 for every gallon of gas you burn.

If the cause of the oil burning is due to ring failure, then Porsche is not providing you the compression in the engine they promised. You are also deluting the oil with gasoline, which is never good.

The fact is, everything else being equal, the performance of an engine that burns no oil will outperform one that does.

Edited May 3, 2009 by 1999Porsche911

[c70Pete]

I have had many cars over the years, and have NEVER added oil between oil changes, including my Porsche.

With my 2006 987S I did the following:

1) Religiously followed the break-in procedure (not easy to do!)

2) Changed the oil at the 1,000 mile mark (I think this is a good thing and worth the $$)

3) My last 3 oil changes (yearly) have been with Red Line 5W40

there seems to be this popular notion, a follow the leader mentality that an engine that does not burn oil is somehow better than an engine that does when in fact the only downside with the latter is the annoyance factor in topping off oil however frequently you need to do it. more greater the frequency the more annoying it gets.

so long as it's within porsche's allowance, i wouldn't be afraid of the engine... with that said.... porsche's allowance requires a lot of annoying time spent topping off plus expense.

my S54 M3 engine burned oil. it dynoed higher than any stock S54 at the dyno day here back several years ago. my f20c honda engine burned oil. same dyno results relative to others. i followed the break-in guidelines to a tee. so me making the claim that an engine that does burn moderate amounts of oil means greater relative power output... it's just as absurd of a claim/notion that it's somehow better, more desireable to have an engine that does burn oil.

good luck with your "issue". not many porsches that i've read about burn as much oil as yours. it seems excessive. but again the answer is not running oil weights/brands not on porsche's recommended list.

your engines made more HP because they were loose... oval cylinders... worn rings... so less friction... hence more HP... you know what they say.... they run the strongest just before they blow!! just like a higher mileage engine performing better... once its broken in its a lot faster... its looser... but oil burning @ 1 quart per 600 miles means something else is wrong...