Oil level gauge broken?

[sbloxxy]

Thought I'd share the horrors of yesterday's trip in my C2. Blatting down the A697 when I noticed the oil gauge was not moving around as it usually does. I know that the gauge does not indicate the oil level when on the move but at least its random movements usually re-assures me that there is actually some oil in the engine...
My first thought was 'car might be low on oil'; pulled over into layby and let it tickover and settle - still no movement on gauge. Now I'm worried so drove very slowly to the nearest garage and bought some oil. My usual lazy technique for oil filling is to pour it in slowly until it looks about right on the gauge and then check the dipstick. This I did - except I didn't doublecheck the dipstick. The gauge still didn't move. 'Must be REALLY low on oil' I thought and added some more. Thought I'd limp round to a friend's house, less than a mile away and have a proper look.
At this point as I pulled away, I managed to cover half of Northumberland in the biggest cloud of oily smoke.
You're almost certainly ahead of me here but this is what had happened: the oil gauge had failed. The car had plenty of oil in the first place and I had well and truly overfilled it. It was so full that when I removed the oil filler cap, after the (fortunately) very short drive, oil poured out of the filler neck and all over the exhaust etc - and my friend's driveway.
Eventually managed to drain off sufficient oil and everthing was ok - except for the smell while the oil burnt off the exhaust system. Further investigation when home showed that even with the oil level bang on the level on the dipstick, the gauge is still not working properly.
I feel I got away lightly - the Porsche flies as per usual but I need to investigate the oil gauge problem. Anyone got any idea where I can access the wiring to the oil gauge sender unit?
I suppose the moral is don't take your oil level gauge for-granted and double check with the dipstick.

 

[Fen]

My gauge never bounces around when driving, but it works fine when the thermostat is open and the car allowed to idle - is it normal for the gauge to move while driving on a 964 (like on earlier 911s?)

Assuming not maybe that was an indication that the gauge or more likely sender was failing?

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

I find that mine will occasionally burst into life IF the oil level is well up to the full mark but since I try to keep it somewhere between the marks it will usually only register when idling once the thermostat is open - exactly as Fen says.

I think Steve's experience is a lesson well learned - never assume anything!! I'm glad it didn't turn into the disaster that it could have done.

Regards

Dave

 

[John Miles]

There's an article on my site re changing the sender. Complete with pics etc.
J

 

[sbloxxy]

Thanks for that John - excellent feature. I'll be tackling this one over the Christmas hols.
Steve

 

[Jeff Forsyth]

John beat me to it )

Sincerely

Jeff