Tech Tips

Tech-Tips:

Instructions for air cooled 911 and Turbo oil level through 1998

We recommend setting the oil level for the 911 & Turbo slightly differently than described in the owner’s manual. From our experience, the procedure described below is best for all operating conditions and will minimize oil leakage due to overfilling.

The oil level checking procedure:

  • The car must be on level ground.
  • The engine must be running at idle speed.
  • The engine oil must be up to full operating temperature and the external oil cooler(s) must be hot to verify that the thermostat is open (lightly touch front cooler(s) to feel for heat).
  • The level is now viewed on the dipstick, (located in the rear of the engine compartment-inside the oil tank on cars through ’89). The oil level must not be higher than half way between and minimum and maximum mark. Preferably the oil level should be between 1/3 and 2/3s on the dipstick.

With the oil level at the prescribed level, the oil level gauge located on the instrument panel should approximate the level on the dipstick. Do not be concerned if the gauge is not exact.

While driving the car, the oil level gauge will almost always be in the ‘red sector’. This is no reason for concern; this is normal. The oil level gauge will also read in the ‘red sector’ when the temperature is less than 180 degrees F. Again this is no reason to be alarmed.

When stopping for a traffic light, on level ground, with the oil at operating temperature, the level gauge should give an approximate reading of the actual oil level in the oil tank.

Please follow these instructions and your Porsche 911 or Turbo will not have oil leaks due to overfilling the oil level.

Preparing your car for winter storage
  • Have gas tank near full. (minimizes condensation)
  • Try to have car warmed up completely. (burns out condensation)
  • Inflate tire to maximum (around 50 psi). (helps prevent flat spotting)
  • Set heater to maximum (air cooled). (stops mice from getting in)
  • Disconnect battery. (still should be trickle charged)
  • Leave doors and hood partially latched. (rejuvenates seals)
  • Turn engine over every 6-8 weeks. (stops engine from seizing & tires from flat spotting)
    1. Remove key from ignition
    2. Put car in 4th, 5th or 6th gear
    3. From behind, with the engine compartment open, bump forward or pull backwards on car until fan or belt rotate 1/2 turn

Ready Codes

One of the most common problems with OBD-II cars (’96-On) are smog test failures due to readiness codes not set and the ECU will test as “Not Ready”.

Here are some procedures for setting all 9 readiness codes in OBD-II ECU’s. These “Diagnostic Trip” steps MUST be followed to the letter otherwise you will have to start all over again. Review these carefully so you can see what you will be doing before you begin.

  1. Start cold engine and idle for approximately 2 minutes, 10 seconds. This checks secondary air injection and evaporative leak detection systems.
  2. Accelerate to 20-30 MPH and maintain steady speed for 3 minutes, 15 seconds. This establishes closed loop oxy-sensor operations, response times & switching times.
  3. Accelerate to 40-60 MPH and maintain steady speed for 15-20 minutes. This evaluates catalytic converters while oxy-sensor response and switching times are checked.
  4. De-accelerate and come to a stop. Idle in gear for 5-6 minutes. This checks evaporative leak detection system.
Remember:

The diagnostic checks above will be discontinued if:

  1. Engine speeds exceed 3000 RPM
  2. Large fluctuations in throttle position

The Magnuson-Moss Act

Protecting tweakers, tuners, and other users of aftermarket equipment.

US Code – Title 15, Chapter 50, Sections 2301-2312

FANNING FEARS
You want to upgrade your vehicle with aftermarket equipment, but you’re worried about putting the vehicle’s warranty at risk. It’s no wonder. How many times have you heard someone of a dealership say that installing aftermarket equipment automatically voids the warranty? This common misconception has been repeated often enough to be widely believed – though it is completely false.

Fact: Dealers don’t like warranty work, because it pays less than normal repair work. By promoting the myth that after-market equipment automatically voids warranties, some dealers avoid such low-paying work. Instead, they attempt to charge customers the prime service rate for work which is rightfully done under warranty.

THE TRUTH
Most vehicle owners are not aware they are protected by federal law: the Magnuson-Moss Warranty – Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act of 1975. Under the Magnuson-Moss Act, aftermarket equipment which improves performance does not void a vehicle manufacturer’s original warranty, unless the warranty clearly and conspicuously states that aftermarket equipment voids the warranty. Most states have warranty statutes, as well. Which provide further protections for vehicle owners.

In other words, that means a dealer can’t wiggle out of his legal warranty, obligation merely because you install aftermarket equipment. To find out if any aftermarket equipment automatically voids your vehicle’s warranty, check the owner’s manual. It is likely the language you are looking for appears under a heady such as “What Is Not Covered”. Although the language seems negative, remember your vehicle manufacturer is simply saying he does not cover aftermarket products themselves. He is not saying that the products would void the vehicle warranty.

VEHICLE DEALERS OBLIGATIONS
Suppose your modified vehicle needs repairs while still under warranty. Without analyzing the true cause of the problem, the dealer attempts to deny warranty coverage. He made his decision simply based on the fact that you’ve installed aftermarket equipment – a convenient way to doge low-paying warranty work.

An example of how ridiculous this can get is the man who was denied warranty coverage by a dealer on his power door locks, because he had improved his exhaust system! Sounds nuts? It really happened – because that man did not know his rights and challenge the dealer’s decision.

Fact: A dealer must prove – not just say – that aftermarket equipment caused the need for repairs before he can deny warranty coverage on that basis.

YOUR RIGHTS
Point out to the dealer the provision of Magnuson-Moss Act – Require that he explain to you how the aftermarket equipment caused the problem. If he can’t – or his explanation sounds questionable – it is your legal right to demand he comply with the warranty.

Fact: If you are still being unfairly denied warranty coverage, there is recourse. The Federal Trade Commission, which administers the Magnuson-Moss Act, monitors compliance with warranty issues.