I picked up my new C4S this weekend... and I love it. I've put a couple of hundred miles on her already, and have been sporting a big grin all weekend. Pictures to come soon...

However, there is one thing that is puzzling me - the oil pressure gauge seems to move around a lot. Now, I've never had a 911 before now, nor have I had an oil pressure gauge, but it doesn't seem to be behaving as per the owners manual. Can anyone confirm whether what I am seeing is normal, or whether I have a problem?

- When the engine is cold, the gauge registers a 5 (max) until the engine is warm, even at idle. As the engine warms, it starts to drop slowly.

- When the engine is fully warm, it registers around a 2 at idle, rising to about a 4 at 2,500 rpm. If I push it to 3,000+ then it rises to a 5 again.

- So, in reasonable driving (I'm not pushing her hard as she's new, but I am having some fun up to 4.5K rpm) she is in the 4-5 range all of the time.

The manual suggests it should be at 3.5 at 5,000 rpm. Do I have a problem, is this just down to a new engine, or am I being paranoid? BTW, the oil level is either at the max or just one bar below when being started from cold, depending on how level the ground is.

Any help or advice would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Gary D. (UK)

 

I have about 40,000 miles on a 2002 911 and I can confidently say that everything you are describing is normal. I actually use my oil pressure gauge to tell me when my engine is truly warmed up. The coolant temperature gauge is not always the best way.

FYI, when my engine is truly warmed up, the oil presure gauge is just a little above 3 at 2000 rpm, and at about 4 at 2500 rpm. At idle, the gauge is between 1.5 and 2.

The gauge will generally give you a lower reading in hotter weather, when the engine is warmed up, at lower rpm's, and after it is broken in (worn in).

b-man

 

Hi Gary

I've just replied to your photo message, didn't realise it was your first Porsche, have you stopped smiling yet.

Regarding the oil pressure question I've been waiting to ask a similar question since I brought my car in November, but have'nt found time to sit and record the levels, mine has 9,000 miles on a 1999 C4 Cabriolet.

Thanks B-man, for answering this one, it's appreciated.

 

Hi Colin,

It's not my first Porsche... it's my third from the same dealer, but the other two were Boxsters (2.5 and 3.2), so some might say it's my first 'real' Porsche (only joking!).

Unfortunately it didn't qualify me for any special treatment though But I did get free mats, a bottle of Porsche Champagne and a couple of nice Porsche mugs thrown in for free!

And thanks for the reassurance guys... I feel better again now!

Cheers,
Gary D.

 

I totally agree with b-man. My 99' does the exact same.

 

Mine too...