Carrera 4s belching smoke

[soapbox]

Had done very few miles in the car over the last couple of months, and took it for a 120k run yesterday and all was good. Parked up to have some lunch. When I started it up an hour or so later I had smoke pouring out of both exhausts for about 60 seconds, then it cleared up. Smoke was white / blue which suggests oil. The engine was fine, all the guages look good. Drove home and it didn't miss a beat. Started it this morning to drive to work and no smoke at all.

Coolant and oil levels all fine.

Anyone have any ideas? It is due a service next month.

[porkyspecialist]

It's possible it's the oil separator, well thats the best case senarior assuming your car is water cooled & not over filled with oil.

Cheers.

[Whitean3]

I had this last year whilst on a hoon through the Alps (also have a 996C4S). Was worried that the engine was about to lunch itself, but apparently, they all do this from time to time. I think (but might be wrong) that a little oil can settle in the cylinders due to the flat 6 configuration, which is then burnt off when you start up again.

Anyway, I've not had any problems since (this was last summer)- it was fine for the rest of the day's hoon, and it's had a service and gone through the rather strict Swiss equivalent of the MOT in that time. So hopefully nothing for you to worry about (I'll jkeep my fingers crossed), but it is quite alarming when it happens!

[soapbox]

Thanks chaps.

Yes - water cooled. Nothing looks out of the ordinary with the fluid levels. I did a quick google search and it does seem to be something that happens from time to time. I will bring the service forward nonetheless!

[supermono]

Probably fine but 60 seconds is a fair long time for oil seepage burning at startup.

SM