Hi all,
I just bought an 88 911 & it is a little low on oil. I don't know what type of oil is in there, so my question is, suppose it is synthetic oil, is it bad to mix regular oil with it?
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Hi all,
I just bought an 88 911 & it is a little low on oil. I don't know what type of oil is in there, so my question is, suppose it is synthetic oil, is it bad to mix regular oil with it?
I just bought an 88 911 & it is a little low on oil. I don't know what type of oil is in there, so my question is, suppose it is synthetic oil, is it bad to mix regular oil with it?
To be on the safe side, I'd drain what is in there after checking the correct oil to replace it with, probably at a nearby dealer or if you know someone in the PCA. Does the person you bought it from know? Change the filter while you're at it.
David -
The first time I did an oil change on my '68 911S I slid the oil-drain pan I used on my VW projects under the car. Then I undid the oil-plug and went onto another garage project.
Long story short...oil pan capacity = 10 quarts...911 oil capacity = 12 quarts. Took me a while to clean up all that overflow oil.
OK, so I'm an idiot, but I'm just saying...
The first time I did an oil change on my '68 911S I slid the oil-drain pan I used on my VW projects under the car. Then I undid the oil-plug and went onto another garage project.
Long story short...oil pan capacity = 10 quarts...911 oil capacity = 12 quarts. Took me a while to clean up all that overflow oil.
OK, so I'm an idiot, but I'm just saying...
The change is always a good idea. This way you have a clean slate/starting point where you
can monitor use, color etc....In a pinch you can mix some semi synthetics with whatever you've got to get you to the week end.
can monitor use, color etc....In a pinch you can mix some semi synthetics with whatever you've got to get you to the week end.
David,
I hope I don't insult you - but as you mentioned this is your first 911... Make very sure the engine oil is fully up to temperature before you check the level. If it is up to temperature and shows low, then OK to add. The oil expands significantly when it gets warm. They often show "low" when cold and at temperature the level is correct. If you add you will kill every mosquito within 100 miles with the oil that you burn.
Also, a little low is not a big deal, remember that you are dealing with 12 quarts. As Bruce suggested, maybe its time for an oil change. Then you can start fresh. By the way, that is one of the best years of 911 in my opinion. Congrats on your purchase.
angela
I hope I don't insult you - but as you mentioned this is your first 911... Make very sure the engine oil is fully up to temperature before you check the level. If it is up to temperature and shows low, then OK to add. The oil expands significantly when it gets warm. They often show "low" when cold and at temperature the level is correct. If you add you will kill every mosquito within 100 miles with the oil that you burn.
Also, a little low is not a big deal, remember that you are dealing with 12 quarts. As Bruce suggested, maybe its time for an oil change. Then you can start fresh. By the way, that is one of the best years of 911 in my opinion. Congrats on your purchase.
angela
Thanks Angela,
I can use all the help I can get. I was blown away looking at the engine, I don't know where to begin. I guess I just have to get used to it (after owning a speedster & jeep wrangler it is a bit different!). Anyway, I read the owners manual & it said just what you did; wait until it is completely warm. the gauge for oil level just freaked me out when it was in the red, which the manual said it should never be. So I waited until it was warm & the level was perfect, which is a relief! I am very excited about this car, I sold my speedster to buy it. I bought it sight unseen off ebay, but it turned out just as advertised, in great shape. I will post pictures when I can get my digital camera figured out! Thanks for all the help guys (and girls)!
I can use all the help I can get. I was blown away looking at the engine, I don't know where to begin. I guess I just have to get used to it (after owning a speedster & jeep wrangler it is a bit different!). Anyway, I read the owners manual & it said just what you did; wait until it is completely warm. the gauge for oil level just freaked me out when it was in the red, which the manual said it should never be. So I waited until it was warm & the level was perfect, which is a relief! I am very excited about this car, I sold my speedster to buy it. I bought it sight unseen off ebay, but it turned out just as advertised, in great shape. I will post pictures when I can get my digital camera figured out! Thanks for all the help guys (and girls)!
That's pretty cool, David. I must respectfully submit that our Oregonian representative has also transplanted a 3.2 successfully.
The host organism didn't make it, but her Spyder is doing fine.
Forget that manual; save the reading for household appliances like resetting the VCR clock. Call her and/or her hubby Steve with your 911 questions.
The host organism didn't make it, but her Spyder is doing fine.
Forget that manual; save the reading for household appliances like resetting the VCR clock. Call her and/or her hubby Steve with your 911 questions.
You're doing GREAT David! Most new 911 owners fill the oil up cold, find out its WAY too full when warm and kill every mosquito within miles. You did it exactly right!
Just some stuff about your car (in case you don't already know). Your car is, in my opinion the best 911 ever built. The 3.2 is a terrific solid motor and the electronics are tuneable. Valve jobs are a scheduled item somewhere between 100 and 125K for most people, but I've seen them go much longer. The bottom end is 250K on a regular basis. You have the G50 transmission which is a significant improvement over the previous 915 and makes the 901 in our car seem a veritable antique.
Great brakes, great suspension, great motor. IMHO, the best of the best. I know the 993 makes more power, but its quite a bit heavier too. For air-cooled cars, you accidently or on purposely, bought my favorite one. We like this engine so much that we transplanted one into an earlier (1980 - 911) chassis, complete with all DME electronics.
angela
Just some stuff about your car (in case you don't already know). Your car is, in my opinion the best 911 ever built. The 3.2 is a terrific solid motor and the electronics are tuneable. Valve jobs are a scheduled item somewhere between 100 and 125K for most people, but I've seen them go much longer. The bottom end is 250K on a regular basis. You have the G50 transmission which is a significant improvement over the previous 915 and makes the 901 in our car seem a veritable antique.
Great brakes, great suspension, great motor. IMHO, the best of the best. I know the 993 makes more power, but its quite a bit heavier too. For air-cooled cars, you accidently or on purposely, bought my favorite one. We like this engine so much that we transplanted one into an earlier (1980 - 911) chassis, complete with all DME electronics.
angela
Thanks Angela,
Wow, it seems like I stumbled onto a beauty! No seriously, I am very excited about it, the car seems really tight & solid. I was able to get a lower mileage model (56k), so I will go light on the driving & hopefully be able to enjoy it for a long time. If I have questions, now I know where to go! Thanks again.
Wow, it seems like I stumbled onto a beauty! No seriously, I am very excited about it, the car seems really tight & solid. I was able to get a lower mileage model (56k), so I will go light on the driving & hopefully be able to enjoy it for a long time. If I have questions, now I know where to go! Thanks again.