My 2002 911 C4 conv. has always consumed about 1 quart of oil every 600 miles. The dealership has always maintained that this consumption rate is within specification. Well, I just got my car back after a second rear main seal replacement, first one wasn't successful, and the dealer re-serviced the car at no extra cost. I have had the car for about one month and oil consumption is about 1 qt every 300 miles. My new 997S has 4,500 miles on it and it hasn't consumed any oil, including track events. The 996 has about 42,000 miles and I am very concerned with this consumption rate. No visible exhaust or oil spots noted. Any suggestions would be appreciated before I mention this to the dealer.

 

1qt every 800-1000 miles is acceptable, but getting down to 300 is a bit concerning.

 

My 1999 996 has @110,000 miles and it still uses less than a quart of oil every 5,000 miles, which has always been my oil change interval, but I don't ever track my car. I'm not a mechanic, but that sounds like a lot of oil for an engine with only 42,000 miles.

Are you checking the oil at the dipstick, or with the sensor on the dash? I have found the oil meter on the dash to be much more accurate, and I only check it after it has sat overnight.

Kevin

 

also depends on how hard you drive

 

Measurements taken at both ends. The 996 no longer is tracked. I do drive the cars somewhat aggressively; however, the 996 has is driven less than the 997. Yes the 300 mile per qt has me very concerned. Back in 1990's I owned a Honda civic that required a qt every two fill ups, that didn't worry me at all since it was a Honda and I would always carry extra oil. This on the other hand has me very worried since it can be a very expensive fix.

 

Its strange that it's using that much oil and it's not leaking or smoking.

 

Very puzzling. Maybe Doc has an idea.

 

Back in the 90's I too owned a CRX, 2 Prelude SH's, and a V6 Accord. I drove the snottt out of all those cars, and still couldn't burn a quart of oil every 2 fillips. It sounds like you are hitting the redline at every shift.

Hey I'm all about having fun with my car, isn't that why we all bought Porsches, but if all the cars you drive are burning oil at an alarming rate, then you might want to tone it down just a bit, or something is going to break.

Happy driving,

Kevin

 

I race my 04 Turbo and still don't use that much oil. I usually shift at redline.

 

My 997 gets tracked monthly with no oil consumption. My Cayenne Turbo is driven just as hard with no noticeable consumption. The 996 has always consumed oil at about 1qt every 600 miles.
Know, however, since the rear main seal fix, the interval has dropped to every 300 miles.