Go Back   986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners > Porsche Boxster & Cayman Forums > Boxster General Discussions

Post Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-23-2015, 09:46 AM   #1
Registered User
 
jpc763's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Posts: 345
First Oil Change - A couple questions

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

__________________
2001 Boxster S - Midnight Blue Metalic

Last edited by jpc763; 08-23-2015 at 11:34 AM.
jpc763 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2015, 09:48 AM   #2
Registered User
 
jpc763's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Posts: 345






__________________
2001 Boxster S - Midnight Blue Metalic
jpc763 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2015, 10:48 AM   #3
Registered User
 
jpc763's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Posts: 345
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?
__________________
2001 Boxster S - Midnight Blue Metalic
jpc763 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2015, 11:53 AM   #4
On the slippery slope
 
JayG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Austin and Palm Springs
Posts: 3,793
Garage
is the car level?
hot or cold?
if after driving, did you wait 5-10 min for it to drain back to the sump?
__________________
2004 Boxster S 6 speed - DRL relay hack, Polaris AutoTop DIY
2004 996 Targa Tip
Instructor - San Diego region
2014 Porsche Performance Driving School
2020 BMW X3, 2013 Ram 1500, 2016 Cmax, 2004 F-150 "Big Red"
JayG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2015, 12:18 PM   #5
Registered User
 
jpc763's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Posts: 345
Quote:
Originally Posted by JayG View Post
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?
__________________
2001 Boxster S - Midnight Blue Metalic

Last edited by jpc763; 08-23-2015 at 12:39 PM.
jpc763 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2015, 01:14 PM   #6
Registered User
 
Giller's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Listowel, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,120
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?
__________________
2011 Boxster 987.2 Arctic silver / Black leather, PDK with Sports Chrono Package Plus
Giller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2015, 01:32 PM   #7
I am my own mechanic....
 
Timco's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Posts: 3,433
Quote:
Originally Posted by Giller View Post
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.
__________________
'04 Boxster S 50 Jahre 550 Spyder Anniversary Special Edition, 851 of 1953, 6-sp, IMS/RMS, GT Metallic silver, cocoa brown leather SOLD to member Broken Linkage.
'08 VW Touareg T-3 wife's car
'13 F150 Super Crew long bed 4x4 w/ Ego Boost
Timco is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2015, 01:50 PM   #8
Registered User
 
Pdwight's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: North Alabama
Posts: 2,079
Oil level

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
Pdwight is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2015, 02:26 PM   #9
Certified Boxster Addict
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 7,669
Quote:
Originally Posted by jpc763 View Post
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.
__________________
1999 996 C2 - sold - bought back - sold for more
1997 Spec Boxster BSR #254
1979 911 SC
POC Licensed DE/TT Instructor
thstone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2015, 05:36 PM   #10
Registered User
 
jpc763's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Posts: 345
Quote:
Originally Posted by Timco View Post
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"?
__________________
2001 Boxster S - Midnight Blue Metalic
jpc763 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2015, 05:59 PM   #11
I am my own mechanic....
 
Timco's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Posts: 3,433
Quote:
Originally Posted by jpc763 View Post
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.
__________________
'04 Boxster S 50 Jahre 550 Spyder Anniversary Special Edition, 851 of 1953, 6-sp, IMS/RMS, GT Metallic silver, cocoa brown leather SOLD to member Broken Linkage.
'08 VW Touareg T-3 wife's car
'13 F150 Super Crew long bed 4x4 w/ Ego Boost
Timco is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2015, 06:01 PM   #12
Registered User
 
jpc763's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Posts: 345
Quote:
Originally Posted by Timco View Post
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?
__________________
2001 Boxster S - Midnight Blue Metalic
jpc763 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2015, 07:00 PM   #13
Registered User
 
Pdwight's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: North Alabama
Posts: 2,079
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
Pdwight is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2015, 07:17 PM   #14
I am my own mechanic....
 
Timco's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Posts: 3,433
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pdwight View Post
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.
__________________
'04 Boxster S 50 Jahre 550 Spyder Anniversary Special Edition, 851 of 1953, 6-sp, IMS/RMS, GT Metallic silver, cocoa brown leather SOLD to member Broken Linkage.
'08 VW Touareg T-3 wife's car
'13 F150 Super Crew long bed 4x4 w/ Ego Boost
Timco is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2015, 07:57 PM   #15
Registered User
 
jpc763's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Posts: 345
No chunks, just sludge. I will keep an eye on it and see what the oil analysis says.

John
__________________
2001 Boxster S - Midnight Blue Metalic
jpc763 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2015, 08:28 PM   #16
I am my own mechanic....
 
Timco's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Posts: 3,433
Quote:
Originally Posted by jpc763 View Post
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.
__________________
'04 Boxster S 50 Jahre 550 Spyder Anniversary Special Edition, 851 of 1953, 6-sp, IMS/RMS, GT Metallic silver, cocoa brown leather SOLD to member Broken Linkage.
'08 VW Touareg T-3 wife's car
'13 F150 Super Crew long bed 4x4 w/ Ego Boost
Timco is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2015, 08:38 PM   #17
Custom User Title Here
 
particlewave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Ft. Leonard Wood
Posts: 6,163
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by Giller View Post
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.
__________________
https://youtube.com/@UnwindTimeVintageWatchMuseum
particlewave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2015, 07:20 AM   #18
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 524
Quote:
Originally Posted by jpc763 View Post
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?
__________________
2008 Boxster S PDE2
02 Boxster S Blk on Blk(Stock for the Wife)
88 turbo S (My Toy) slightly modified
cas951 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2015, 07:24 AM   #19
Registered User
 
jpc763's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Posts: 345
Quote:
Originally Posted by cas951 View Post
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
__________________
2001 Boxster S - Midnight Blue Metalic
jpc763 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2015, 10:20 AM   #20
On the slippery slope
 
JayG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Austin and Palm Springs
Posts: 3,793
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by jpc763 View Post
SORRY. Typo. 8.75 quarts added. Not over 9.

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

__________________
2004 Boxster S 6 speed - DRL relay hack, Polaris AutoTop DIY
2004 996 Targa Tip
Instructor - San Diego region
2014 Porsche Performance Driving School
2020 BMW X3, 2013 Ram 1500, 2016 Cmax, 2004 F-150 "Big Red"
JayG is offline   Reply With Quote
Post Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 05:25 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page