to change oil or not???? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

PatM · 12-03-2015, 12:41 PM

A little back ground first
I have a 2000S Looks and runs great 57k miles live in the mountains of E TN.
We do have some cold weather usually a few days below 0* and some snow. I will not drive my Boxster in the snow!!!!
At the beginning of the driving season I changed the oil and filter. I have the upgrade to the spin on type filter and use the Nappa Gold as recommended...Also I use Mobile 1 0 40
I have only put 1400 miles on this oil and filter..
With winter coming trying to decide if I should change or not. If it is a mild winter I may be able to drive it several times a month or more. Maybe not????? It may set for several months ????
Pedro convinced me that oil becomes acidic with numerous heat ups and cool downs.
I have the new oil and filter just have to wait for warm enough weather to change it.
I am leaning toward changing it.
I'm interested in opinions from some of the oil experts, and others.
Thanks for your input
Pat M
2000S speed yellow

Viper10000 · 12-03-2015, 01:20 PM

Personally, I would change the oil st 5,000 miles or 6 months, whichever happens first. I only drive my Boxster about 3,000 miles a year. So I do it twice a year.

grc0456 · 12-03-2015, 01:24 PM

I say change it. When in doubt, change it out. You can't hurt and can only help by doing so - if you are OK with the cost of 9.5 quarts of Mobil 1 and filter.

I'm like you, I will drive it in the winter if no salt and snow present, but - after last winter here in NE- who knows how long she will be garaged? I had my indie change the oil a few weeks ago, while it was in for new tires and alignment - even though I had only driven the car about 3,500 miles since the prior change. If I can sneak it out again in Jan/Feb, I'll change it again - regardless of miles.

JayG · 12-03-2015, 02:08 PM

At very least change the oil before storing it

10 quarts of M1 at WallyWorrld is under $60
Cheap insurance

thstone · 12-03-2015, 08:40 PM

Always change the oil before storage. Its that simple.

jdraupp · 12-04-2015, 03:24 AM

Is your 20k dollar motor worth 60 bucks in savings? I say no, so I change mine before storage as well as when I pull it out.

p3230 · 12-04-2015, 05:19 AM

I asked my mechanic and he told me to change it in the spring when I take it out as if it's cold and you don't drive the car for a few months and it's humid condensation can get into the engine and you still will have to change the oil in spring. So why pay twice?

JayG · 12-04-2015, 05:49 AM

You may want to get a new mechanic

JFP in PA · 12-04-2015, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p3230

I asked my mechanic and he told me to change it in the spring when I take it out as if it's cold and you don't drive the car for a few months and it's humid condensation can get into the engine and you still will have to change the oil in spring. So why pay twice?

Simple: Because the oil in the engine is already contaminated, it will form acids while sitting and corrode your engine components. While you are out shopping for oil, also look for a mechanic that knows what he is talking about.

JayG · 12-04-2015, 06:38 AM

^^^^^
driving the car and getting it to full temp burns off crap in the oil
That is why many recommend running the car hard from time to time as well as not just doing short trips where it does not fully warm up

If you can't afford the $60-$75 for a DIY oil change, maybe you should consider a different car

Muzzle of Bees · 12-04-2015, 07:36 AM

Whats wrong with draining the oil and leaving it empty until spring? Refill with new oil and filter in the spring. The only downfall that I can think of is if you forget you drained the oil or if you have to move the car for some reason.

JFP in PA · 12-04-2015, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayG

^^^^^
driving the car and getting it to full temp burns off crap in the oil

Unfortunately, the acids formed to not burn off easily, and tend to accumulate, attacking both the oil itself and the metal components in the engine over time.

Change the oil, you will be doing your engine and wallet a favor.

jpc763 · 12-04-2015, 08:01 AM

So change the oil twice a year regardless (assuming less than 10k miles per year) of whether or not you store the car over winter (I don't, but it does get driven way less).

p3230 · 12-04-2015, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayG

You may want to get a new mechanic

I've been driving cars for 49years and have been storing cars for the past 15 years in winter buddy I think that you don't know too much about cold weather.

p3230 · 12-04-2015, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Simple: Because the oil in the engine is already contaminated, it will form acids while sitting and corrode your engine components. While you are out shopping for oil, also look for a mechanic that knows what he is talking about.

I think you should be looking at getting another mechanic. My mechanic has been in business and for different dealerships for 45 years.

JFP in PA · 12-04-2015, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p3230

I think you should be looking at getting another mechanic. My mechanic has been in business and for different dealerships for 45 years.

Nice thought, but I own the shop, and have been repairing, building, and racing Porsches, probably since before you were born. Your wrench is simply wrong, period.

JayG · 12-04-2015, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p3230

I've been driving cars for 49years and have been storing cars for the past 15 years in winter buddy I think that you don't know too much about cold weather.

That is certainly possible, but JFP ABSOLUTLY does!

Do some searching on this forum and it will be very clear

78F350 · 12-04-2015, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayG

That is certainly possible, but JFP ABSOLUTLY does!

Do some searching on this forum and it will be very clear

+986.

On this and other Porsche forums, JFP in PA posts nothing other than good advice with technical backing. Always a positive, informed contributor.
/Respect.

PatM · 12-04-2015, 12:20 PM

Will change the oil and send sample to Blackstone labs.
1400 miles and about 8 months in the engine.
I'll let you know what they say....
Thanks for the replies.
Pat M

jdraupp · 12-04-2015, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p3230

I think you should be looking at getting another mechanic. My mechanic has been in business and for different dealerships for 45 years.

Lol! I realize you been on this forum for all of 10 posts, but there are a handful of guys on this forum who know pretty much everything about these cars...JFP is one of the most knowledgeable around. Check any forum and you'll find the same thing.

At the end of the day, you do what you want. It's your engine. But I'll continue to change my oil in the fall before storage and in the spring before taking it back out. It costs me around 60 bucks in parts and it's worth a lot more in peace of mind. But you're the man. Can't wait for post 11.