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Originally Posted by Rondog
i called and talked to the service manager expressing my concern at the "full bars".... He told me that he was confident that the tech did not overfill AND that he encourages his techs to fill to the top bar--- i aint making that up....
He also told me that i could bring it by and they would double check it..."from the back". I dont know what that means and while i should have asked...... i didn't.
I have not had the time to drop by...so i continue to drive with "full bars" -- i have not noticed any performance difference, but still have that lingering concern.
This also brings up another point that has been discussed --- DEALER SERVICE---
While i am not one to necessarily rag on the dealer for having higher (sometimes MUCH higher prices) on parts and service-- The one thing i DO expect is superior customer service and HONESTY. ---(naive..am i!)
I must sadly say that my few encounters with my local dealer has not lived up to my expectations....While they are courteous... i am often put on hold for long periods..... When i leave messages, they never seem to call back promptly when they even call back at all--- When i had my car serviced, i asked for a pricing on a couple of other services----- (ding removal and windstop installation) and had to call them back 2 times before they remembered to quote it....(they finally quoted the windstop on my service receipt.... i called and had it requoted a few weeks later when i decided to do it and the new quote was $100 cheaper) My last car was a MB e320 and the dealer, a HUGE dealer, made me feel like a million bucks. --- My Porsche dealer makes me feel as if i am a bother to them.--- Maybe i am being a little harsh here and maybe i have not had enough experience with them, but i just expected more.
I run a client oriented business and i am very sensitive about giving my clients MORE than they expect. These guys need a refresher course in customer relations.
RD
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Hi,
A couple of issues:
First, it states clearly in the Owners Manual (the 986 manual anyway) that the Full Mark is the Bar just under the Top Bar, meaning that the Top Bar is overfilled.
Second, the Top Bar is not a quantitative measure beyond showing that it is overfilled, because it could be a little or a lot overfilled - there is no way, short of draining and measuring the Oil to ascertain how much.
Now, Porsche did increase the Fill Capacity of the Oil Change in a TSB # 2/99 1 1701 which states:
- The engine oil filling capacity for the Boxster has been increased as follows:
Oil change without filter - 8.5 liters (9 quarts), formerly 7.75 liters
Oil change with filter - 8.75 liters (9.25 quarts), formerly 8.25 liters
Effective immediately, the new filling capacities should be used on all Boxsters, retroactively, until further notice.
Please correct your Technical Manual accordingly.
Note: A draining time of 20 minutes is required to attain the proper oil level.
Always confirm oil level by checking the dipstick.
Now this increase could account for the Overfill indication, especially on Older models. Assuming that subsequent Model Year Gauges were not recalibrated to reflect this new capacity as Full, the Gauge is now
knowingly innacurate by at least 4 Cups.
Also, if you're at a busy Dealer, the 20 min. drain
requirement means that they can only complete 2 Oil Changes per Bay/Hr.. Could it be that they are skirting this requirement to avoid a bottleneck in the Service Dept. increase the revenue they generate, or earn productivity bonuses? This could result in Overfilling the system as well.
In any event, it is not good for this engine to be overfilled. I would get a written assurance from the Dealer that should you experience premature Cat, OČ Sensors or Plug Fouling, and Oil Overfill is determined to be the cause, that they will accept liability for the proper repair. Or at the least, write to them acknowledging what they told you and keep a copy so if an issue does arise in the future, at least your concern is on record prior to a fault occuring.
So far as the Dealers' Customer Focus, There have been several satisfied Owners, but at least as many whom were dissatisfied. I believe this indicates that Porsche Service is not at the Top of the List in all Autodom...
Happy Motoring!... Jim'99