87 911 - Oil Level Gauge question

[jmeckles]

Recently purchased a 1987 911 Carrera with 87K miles and it checked out great except the following bothers me after taking delivery. The oil level gauge runs right where it should when idling on a flat surface at operating temp, BUT when on a level highway at normal speeds the needle pretty much stays in the red zone. What bothers me is that the Owners Manual says 'Never let the needle reach the red range of the dial'. Checking the oil level with the dipstick shows no problem and the oil pressure gauge reads steady and appropriate for the RPM's.

I'm thinking that at speed the gauge sending unit in the oil tank has insufficient oil available to be read. Maybe just a bad gauge but it reads OK at idle. Hopefully, oil pickup from the tank going to the sump is not being starved (although if so I would think oil pressure would fall). Obviously, I don't want to have a problem growing into a monster over time.

I would appreciate all input from anyone who might shed some light on this issue for me??

Thanks to all in advance!

[Richard Hamilton]

I think you'll find they all do that. Mine certainly does. The level gauge is only any use when the oil is hot, and the car is at tickover on level ground.

Edit: I just looked at my driver's handbook, and it says that too. "the level cannot be read off the gauge when the car is in motion".

Edited July 15, 2011 by Richard Hamilton

[serpico]

Yes I recall someone told me the same thing about reading it when the oil is hot and a level ground only.

[Skip]

Mine does exactly the same thing - somewhat unnerving, but realistically, check the oil off the dipstick when engine is running at temp, for that extra comfort.

[gordonmacwilliam]

I have owned 5 911s (and a 944S) for over 66 vehicle years total. 911 oil gauge measurement is accurate only at idle/level ground/normal operating temperature. All other readings are meaningless. This is also true for the dip stick reading.

Edited February 24, 2013 by gordonmacwilliam

[sithot]

Bruce Anderson would tell you (God rest his soul) to trust the dipstick 1st and foremost. Get a feel for what the oil level gauge is showing you when the dipstick reads about halfway between the marks.