A few oil questions ( Porsche )

I bought the car at the dealership that sold it new. (they had taken it back in on trade). It had already had one engine swap because of a cracked cyl. at around 2000 miles. the car had thirty five hundred on it when I bought it, so this engine had roughly 1500 miles on it.

It burned oil at a rate of around 600 to 1000 miles/qt (I didnt' keep that good track of it. I just knew I was putting alot of oil in it). Took it in w/ around 7k miles on it. They put it on their "oil watch" program, where everytime it needed oil, I took it to them and they did it. This went on for 3-5k miles. They have documented oil usage of as low as 5 hundred some odd/qt up to as much as 1400 miles/qt. They said the avg was more than 600 mi/qt which is Porsche's "cut-0ff" for engine replacement under warranty. They scoped the cyls, put a new oil guage etc.. finally just told me that "911's use can use this much oil".

I called Porsche NA, and they told me that these cars can use that much oil, and they will not cover engine replacement unless it's less than 600 mi/qt.

I said "for 100 grand, a car should go more than 3 fill ups w/out putting in oil". There was silence...the she said..."These cars can use that much oil." I asked for a supervisor, and she said she could not let me "go any higher".

My own personal belief is that Porsche knows there is a problem. They may find something wrong w/ yours. They couldn't mine. It has 20k miles on it and runs like a bat out of ....

The guage on mine has been asking for oil lately too. Then today, it registed 3/4 full, out of the blue. The only way I know to know for sure how much oil these use is to physically drain and measure the oil everytime you add.

 

I shoud add that it doesnt' seem to be as bad as it was. I don't measure it, but it's not using it like it was.

 

I just walked down and looked. Your's has more carbon/oil, whatever it is, built up than mine. But the rear bumber does "blacken" somewhat between washes. Inside my pipes is fairly clean metal, not buildup

 

I hate it too. Why a car engine would be built that the oil cant' be physically checked in makes no sense to me.

 

Since your car is under warranty I would not worry much, your going to get a new engine soon! The sound 911's were the 84-89 Carrera motors which did not pull studs like the 3.0 liters nor collapsing wall issues of the 996 mixing and RMS. Yes 997 has solved all the problems less two, leaking headgasket and valve.

I would call Porsche North America and let them know " you are aware of the 997 engine issues and your are experiencing the symptoms such as .....oil from one side exhaust and abnormal oil consumption and you have not driven the car spirited but within the factory specs". I would also submit a letter stating the such just for reassurance to enforce the warranty incase your local dealer gets cold feet. And "Always' deal with the service manager.

Keep us posted.

 

I am going to ask the guys at RUF Autocenter about what they know on this issue. My impression had been that although the 996 had quite a few engine issues, the 997 was supposed to have all that cleared up. So I deliberately went with the 997 for our stepson rather than a late 996...

This is starting to change my mind on that.

 

I find that annoying too. I had the oil light come on on my Boxster one day driving, so I had to pull over and sit long enough to do the whole "check oil" thing. Then it told me it was full. It's really annoying to just rely on computers. I mean one tells me I need to add oil while I'm driving and then when I check the oil the computer tells me it's full. How are you really supposed to know? I had a similar issue with the tire pressure monitoring system. It kept telling me I'm low on one tire but checking them (which at least you can do) all were equal. Come to find out I really needed more air in all tires than was listed in my door panel, but yet it only showed my right front down by 4 each time on the tire pressure monitoring. I'm so glad this car is in warranty.

 

Good thing you have a Ferrari to drive to cover for the Porsche.

My brother has an 08 997 -- no issues yet, AFAIK. But I don't think he has 10,000 miles on it yet.

 

That's another topic, but I absolutely agree with you.

However, I have tire monitoring on my Audi (with runflats) and so far it has been very accurate. The main reason I don't mind tire monitoring is that I always carry a tire gauge anyway, so I can verify the pressures -- I'm not stuck relying on some remote sensor.

With oil levels, which are probably the most critical thing you need to measure routinely, you will blow an engine if the computer is wrong -- there's no other way to check other than draining/refilling.

 

Sorry to bring this thread back-up but...

Mobil1 5W40 should be fine if you don't live in an extremely cold climate, right?

Are there any advantages in using 0W40 vs 5W40 unless you live live a VERY VERY cold climate?? I spoke to a Porsche mechanic earlier and he said that 5W40 is perfectly fine.

I just added 0.8 liters of 5W40 to our 997 4S and ordered 12 liters of 5W40 Mobil1 from the web.

Should I cancel the order and get 0W40 instead?

Thanks in advance.

 

5w40 will do just fine.
0w50 will be slightly more viscous at temparatures around freezing point but has the same hot climate grade as 5w40

 

Any updates??

 

clicking noise in the engine most probably is related to intermediate shaft failure......this will lead to engine replacement.

 

Ok thanks

Do you use 5W40 on your two 911s? You have a fantastic duo btw!!

 

thanks ferrarista3......

i use mobil 1 0w40 as it's widely available here.

 

...but is there an advantage given the climate you live in?

 

i doubt there is. just using it as it's the recommended oil by porsche and is widely available.