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macBdog · Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 9:01 am Post subject: Oil pressure light Vs Guage

Ok Im a dumbass and topped up my oil while my car was on a slope which meant I overfilled with oil. Went for a few drives with the oil pressure light coming on at various stages of engine load and oil pressure on the guage. Couldnt work out if the light on the dash was coming on for too much pressure or not not enough.

Anyway, I emptied the excess oil out and the light still comes on a little bit, same symptoms as before. If the oil pressure is strong (hovers between 2 and 4 bar most of the time, occaisionally higher or lower) should I ignore the evil red eye? Could I have damaged something overfilling the oil?
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1979 931 with a 350 chev
1973 911E with EFI

Neil924 · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 4225 Location: Canada

I think if you over fill it with oil, it makes the parts use more energy to move since oil isn't easily compressed and everything moves so fat anyway. < I'm just guessing. As for the oil light, are you sure it worked properly to begin with?

Khal · Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 2:18 pm Post subject:

I think Neil924's on the right track. I'm no guru with engines but I've had it explained to me that when you have too much oil in the pan, the crank and big ends sink deeper into oil (obviously) and moving through this causes undue stress on those parts... I may have explained that poorly. Someone can probably clarify?

I have no idea why your oil light is on.
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'80 924 Turbo

Ozzie · Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 2:55 pm Post subject:

I think your problem is the oil switch.
My car runs on similar pressures as yours.
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Porsche 924 1984 (UK import) NA
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Paul · Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 6:05 pm Post subject:

Relax.

Overfilling the oil does not cause higher oil pressure.

Overfilling the oil cannot damage the oil sending unit.

The oil light only comes on for low oil pressure, never for too high.

It takes more than a litre above the full mark to be overfilled enough to be worried about.

Check the wiring on your oil pressure switch. I'm guessing the wire from the sender to the light is shorting to ground.

macBdog · Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 6:14 pm Post subject:

Ok thats putting my mind to rest. After two solid hours of driving today it looks like the dash light coming on corresponds to nothing at all! Do you all think its just coincidence that my oil light came on and continued coming on for the first time after I overfilled? As in it had never come on ever and then after the overfilling incident it started coming on. Thats the only thing that has worried me. I should quit worrying and check the wiring right!
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1979 931 with a 350 chev
1973 911E with EFI

Paul · Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 8:17 pm Post subject:

Nah, have a few pints first...

MunkPuppy · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 8:38 pm Post subject:

just for fits and giggles, check your parking brake switch (under the parking brake lever). Sometimes, if the wire comes loose, it will fall, ground against the seat mounting bracket, and your warning lights will come on.

I had the same worry until I realized I had demolished my parking brake switch and it was doing the same as I just mentioned...

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'80 931 FOR SALE

"It's a shame that stupidity isn't painful"
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