First Oil Change

[jpc763]

All,

I have had this car for a little over 1 year. It received a new clutch, IMS and other work 11 months ago so I thought I would do an oil change. The car has 4000 miles since the last oil change. I will be sending samples of the oil to CAT and Blackstone for analysis but I wanted to post a couple of pictures to get some input from the group.

When pulling the LN drain plug, I was a little disappointed to see some what appears to be sludge on the tip. See the pics of the plug and then the substance after rubbing it off.

I also cut into the filter but did not see any metal, it looked pretty good.

What do you guys think?

The car is a 2001 Boxster S, 6 Speed with 67500 miles.

Pictures next.

Thanks, John

[jpc763]

[jpc763]

I have added back in 9+ quarts. And taken it for a spin around the neighborhood. Here is the dash gauge.



Is that level ok?

[JayG]

is the car level?
hot or cold?
if after driving, did you wait 5-10 min for it to drain back to the sump?

[jpc763]

Originally Posted by JayG

is the car level?
hot or cold?
if after driving, did you wait 5-10 min for it to drain back to the sump?

The car is level and it was level for the oil change.

The oil change was done with the car warm (not quite up to the normal op temperature)

I did not wait any time after the drive. I will check in 15 or so minutes.

Another note. My last oil change was with a local indy who installed the LN magnetic plug. I removed the plug and there was no crush washer unless it washed out of with the oil. I ran my finger in the drain hole and there is no washer. Wouldn't I have had a leak for the past 12 months if the plug was installed without a crush washer?

[Giller]

Curious - why the magnetic drain plug if you've changed out the IMS? Thought the mag plug was to catch IMS issues, which you shouldn't have now?

[Timco]

Originally Posted by Giller

Curious - why the magnetic drain plug if you've changed out the IMS? Thought the mag plug was to catch IMS issues, which you shouldn't have now?

Had my IMS done, I'll stick with a magnetic plug. Even the minimal ferrous film I get is better than leaving it in there as I see it. I'd rather have anything that will stick to a magnet stuck right there.

[Pdwight]

Does anyone know how is is actually calculated by the car ?

I just do not see a bunch of tiny liquid level switches in the oil pan LOL

[thstone]

Originally Posted by jpc763

Wouldn't I have had a leak for the past 12 months if the plug was installed without a crush washer?

Not necessarily. The washer is insurance against leaks but if the pan and fill plug mate cleanly, there won't be any leak. Conversely, drain plugs can leak even with new washers.

[jpc763]

Originally Posted by Timco

Even the minimal ferrous film I get is better than leaving it in there as I see it. I'd rather have anything that will stick to a magnet stuck right there.

Is what I saw on my plug "ferrous film"?

[Timco]

Originally Posted by jpc763

Is what I saw on my plug "ferrous film"?

Only one reason it would stick to the magnet, I'd think. I always just called it that.

[jpc763]

Originally Posted by Timco

Only one reason it would stick to the magnet, I'd think. I always just called it that.

Is it something I should worry about?

[Pdwight]

all my cars have always left a thin (and I mean thin) film of something on my magnetic plugs. If you want scary put a magnetic drain plug in a manual transmission and check it in about a year.

Here is my thin film on my May oil change


If you get any chunks or anything you can roll between your fingers and feel....worry

[Timco]

Originally Posted by Pdwight

all my cars have always left a thin (and I mean thin) film of something on my magnetic plugs. If you want scary put a magnetic drain plug in a manual transmission and check it in about a year.

If you get any chunks or anything you can roll between your fingers and feel....worry

So when my trans was out it has a huge built in magnet built into the very bottom. It was covered with a very thick sludge but no visible pieces or flakes. I cleaned it.

The film on my plug is like yours. Smooth film, but zero flakes I could see or feel.

[jpc763]

No chunks, just sludge. I will keep an eye on it and see what the oil analysis says.

John

[Timco]

Originally Posted by jpc763

No chunks, just sludge. I will keep an eye on it and see what the oil analysis says.

John

Well, I can see flakes. I wonder if a magnetic plug skews a report since the ferrous metals are removed?

Just thinking out loud. Hope the best with the report.

[particlewave]

Originally Posted by Giller

Curious - why the magnetic drain plug if you've changed out the IMS? Thought the mag plug was to catch IMS issues, which you shouldn't have now?

No IMS bearing on the market actually fixes the issue. I won't debate the strengths and weaknesses of any of them here, but none are a permanent fix. Any bearing will fail eventually.

[cas951]

Originally Posted by jpc763

I have added back in 9+ quarts. And taken it for a spin around the neighborhood. Here is the dash gauge.

Is that level ok?

You already added over 9 quarts and still 1/2 quart Low? Make sure the engine is comepletely warm and check again. The last time I used this much oil on my 986 I bew my AOS a couple days later.

Anyone else use more than 9 qts of oil to fill after an oil change?

[jpc763]

Originally Posted by cas951

You already added over 9 quarts and still 1/2 quart Low? Make sure the engine is comepletely warm and check again. The last time I used this much oil on my 986 I bew my AOS a couple days later.

Anyone else use more than 9 qts of oil to fill after an oil change?

SORRY. Typo. 8.75 quarts added. Not over 9.

After allowing the oil to settle, the gauge reads one bar under the "^" arrow

[JayG]

Originally Posted by jpc763

SORRY. Typo. 8.75 quarts added. Not over 9.

After allowing the oil to settle, the gauge reads one bar under the "^" arrow

perfection!