Oil Consumption - 4.0 GTS / GT4

[Sut0l]

Sorry but I haven't yet introduced myself to the forum/register (new member as of 7 days ago) but I noticed this thread and felt that I had to comment. I too have noticed more oil consumption than expected. My 718 GT4 has covered 4800miles and 4 track days and I've probably topped up 3/4 litre. My biggest gripe is the electronic dipstick. The manual says to have the reading at 3/4's for track use. I check the oil between track sessions after 5 mins or so, engine off, and note that on first measure the level may have dropped to 1/4. Within a minute the level has jumped to 1/2 or even 3/4's. This means that had I've topped up based on my first reading I could have over filled, a big 'no-no' according to the manual. I contacted the local PC and explained the situation. Their reaction didn't fill me with confidence, saying that they didn't see what the problem was. I'm sure it's been moaned about before but I would feel so much happier with a 'manual' dipstick. Before leaving my last track day the level was 1/2, I've not topped up, and the car is sitting in the garage with a measure of 3/4's!!

I will now go and introduce myself[&:]

regards Chris

 

[Twinfan]

Greetings Chris []

When the car is driven hard the oil pressure increases and the measurement goes up, which is why I suspect the manual suggests a 3/4 limit i.e. you check it during normal operation prior to track use. I think the engine needs to be running when the oil is checked so I'm surprised you managed to do it with the engine off - unless I'm mistaken of course.

I've found it's best not to obsess over oil levels. As long as the car isn't telling you to top it up, leave well enough alone. Once you do get the dash warning add 500ml and then leave it alone again!

That approach has worked fine for me over 12k miles, six or seven track days and I think two or three top-ups...

 

[Motorhead]

Dave,

Please correct me if I’m wrong but I thought that unlike the 987 and 981 where the oil level has to be measured with the engine running, for the 718 4.0L the level has to be measured after about 1 min with the engine off? Best to check your Driver’s Manual for the definitive answer.

Jeff

 

[Motorhead]

Hi Chris,

Welcome to the forum and Register! You’re not alone in wishing for a good old “manual” dipstick, but unfortunately we are where we are and there’s no chance that the situation will change on modern engines, especially as they’re on their way out anyway. []

Good to hear that you’re using the car as intended.

Jeff

 

[Twinfan]

You're right Jeff, my mistake! Warm engine and stopped for at least one minute according to the Good To Know app. You can check it on the move though, which is odd...

 

[Motorhead]

How confusing Dave! Obviously a different measurement philosophy for the 4.0L engine, but I suppose the main thing is to ensure that whatever method you’re using you’re neither running low on oil nor overfilling.

Jeff

 

[Twinfan]

Yep, agreed.

As I said above, waiting for the car to tell you it needs a top up has worked just fine for me...

 

[AndrewCS]

Picture taken from an on-line manual site, assume same as owner's handbook ...

..........

Both my 981`s were / are the same as this as regards engine stopped

987.2 Cayman R was engine running

...........

Off topic ... my M2 level can be checked whilst running - driving anytime, result being a simple OK. To determine a detailed level, it is engine running at idle and when the check is requested the idle speed increases and modulates, with a resultant indication similar to that of the 981 ... no wonder no dipstick !

 

[MrDemon]

I cannot remember putting oil in a car for years, none of my cars have ever used any oil. GT4, 718 GT, 991.2 GT3 etc not a drop in any of them.

0.5l to 0.75l for 2k miles is def not the normal just because some one else cars has done this ! This seems VERY high oil use for 2k miles . 718 Spyder is on 5k and not used any oil yet and just done a Euro trip and Spa track day, I always carry 1l oil but not used any to date.

 

[Silversword]

My 718 Cayman T used almost zero oil in just under 3 years of ownership, never needed topping up. My GTS 4.0 used very little if any oil during run-in (done 'by the book' circa 1900 miles) but the oil level did start to gradually reduce and it recently warranted a small top up - about 0.3l just to keep it in the upper half of the virtual dipstick. A lot of other owners seem to have accepted oil consumption as par for the course and maybe that is just one of the characteristics of this engine - I'm in the 'wait and see' camp for now.

 

[Sut0l]

From what I've read on Rennlist.com, oil consumption for the 4l does improve after 5k miles. I'm on the cusp of that mileage so we'll see.

 

[Wollemi]

I didn't notice any reduction in oil consumption after 5k miles on either of my GTS4.0s sadly.

 

[Twinfan]

Mine does seem to have settled down a lot, I think I've only topped it up once this year since it was serviced. So 0.5ltr in the last 4k.

 

[Sut0l]

For me it's not the apparent small amount of oil that is used, it's the accuracy by which it is measured.

 

[Motorhead]

All rather frustrating Chris. I suppose the best thing to do is always carry out a measurement under the same conditions, e.g. after a drive with the oil fully warmed-up and using the same position on your drive (or a similar flat surface) after waiting for a minute with the engine turned off, as recommended.

Jeff

 

[Mcmikey62]

Commented on this a while ago but seems to have kicked off again so thought would update on my car (4.0 GTS). I’m now at near 13,000 miles and have just reached first service. I did one track day at Oulton Park (I was fairly steady as was first track day). After the 4,000 mile low oil alarm I used very little oil, dipstick never showed more than 25% of way to low prior to the service. OPC South Lakes also provided the remaining oil in the 1 litre bottle after the service. Will see how it goes from here.