Engine Oil and Filter Change

Tools

• 17 mm socket and ratchet OR 17 mm combination wrench
• Type J oil filter wrench
• Jack stands and floor jack OR ramps
• Drain pan
• Catch rags

Parts

• Oil filter: Mahle OC 142 OR Porsche OEM (944 107 201 90)
  • The Mahle OC 75 (taller version of the OC 142) may also be used; it was used on some 911 Turbo models.
• Engine oil: approximately 5.5 liters (5.8 US quarts) to fill to the upper dipstick mark
• Oil drain plug seal ring (26 × 32 mm): 900 123 049 30
• Oil pan drain plug (if lost or damaged): Porsche part N 016 164 1 (M20 × 1.5 thread — also available at auto parts stores)

Procedure

1. Run the vehicle for a few minutes to warm the engine oil. Warm oil flows more freely and removes more sludge and deposits from the engine.
2. Raise the front of the vehicle on jack stands or ramps.

Note: Both the front and rear belly pans were factory-fitted to the 944. The rear belly pan (below the oil pan) must be removed to access the drain plug. Many cars no longer have this rear pan installed; if yours does, remove it before proceeding.

3. (Optional) Punch a hole in the top-center portion of the oil filter before removing the drain plug. Oil flowing from the pan will help draw oil out of the filter — though results vary.
4. Place a catch pan underneath the oil pan below the drain plug.
5. Using the 17 mm socket and ratchet (or wrench), remove the oil pan drain plug.
6. After the oil has drained for a few minutes, remove the oil fill cap.
7. Inspect the oil pan drain plug seal ring. If it has scratches, gouges, or is deformed at all, replace it.
8. When the engine oil has completely drained, reinstall the drain plug with seal ring and torque to 50 Nm (37 ft-lbs).
9. Move the drain pan underneath the oil filter area.
10. Stuff catch rags around and below the oil filter. Using an appropriate oil filter wrench, remove the oil filter.
11. Apply a coating of new engine oil to the seal ring on the new oil filter. This prevents tearing the seal during installation and eases future removal.
12. Install the new filter hand tight. Do not use a filter wrench to install — do not turn more than 1/4 turn past hand tight.
13. Fill the engine with new oil and check the dipstick level prior to starting the engine. Fill to at least the high mark, as some oil will be pumped into the filter and remain there when the engine starts.
14. Start the engine and check for normal oil pressure.
15. Remove the car from ramps or jack stands (stop the engine before removing from jack stands).
16. Stop the engine and allow it to sit for 5–10 minutes to allow all oil to drain back to the pan.
17. With the car sitting on level ground, check the engine oil level again and top off as necessary.
18. Take used oil to an approved disposal facility.