Cayman 2.9 smoke on start

[chip-boy]

Its a long time since i have poetd on here,, so hello everyone.
Last time i was driving a Elise S2, then have had a number of Audi's and then picked up a Cayman 2.9 on 09 at the weekend.
I've noticed, when I start up from cold, I get a bit of blue smoke, is this common or something I should be concerned about?

cheers rOb

[jcelee]

A small amount in a single puff that clears right away should be fine - characteristic of the flat 6 boxer engine. Any more than that and it wants looking at.

[chrissmith2097]

Time will tell if it starts using oil you will have big problems, I understand there were some issues with the early 09 2.9's, did you buy it from a dealer and do you have an OPC warranty on it? /also a former Elise owner

[chip-boy]

I bought from Indie Porsche dealer, so the car comes with a warranty (phew!!).
yep its clears after start up but will keep a check on thing.
Being a new owner any thing else i should keep an eye on?

Yep loved the Elise, I always have fond memories, as it was daily drive ( like my Cayman) for 3 years.

thanks for the reply/advise

[chrissmith2097]

I think really just keep an eye on the oil level (I always let mine do the level check before starting) and any unusual noises (rattling ect) other than that just enjoy it

[Dan911]

I understand all Caymans use oil (the way the flat 6 lays).

I have heard 0.5 litre every 1000-1200 miles can be normal, most members on Planet9 say they use oil. There will always be car that dont, but from what I understand most do.

I did an alps trip in mine and used 0.75 of a litre in 1800 miles.

Smoke, 3 of my friends have Caymans and all puff out a little smoke on start up. Can be a little more if left over 5 days.


Enjoy the car, great car.

[RichB]

chrissmith2097 said:

I think really just keep an eye on the oil level (I always let mine do the level check before starting)

On my 2.9 Boxster it tells me the oil isn't warm enough to do that, I need to check after it's been running a while. Oh and yes, I get a puff of smoke on start up.

[Trev450]

RichB said:

chrissmith2097 said:

I think really just keep an eye on the oil level (I always let mine do the level check before starting)

On my 2.9 Boxster it tells me the oil isn't warm enough to do that, I need to check after it's been running a while. Oh and yes, I get a puff of smoke on start up.

Gen 1's you do before start up, Gen 2's after running for a bit.

The only time I get any smoke on start up is if the car has been stopped and started a couple of times when for example I'm moving it around to get my other car out.

[RichB]

Ah right, mine's a Gen 2

[Actus Reus]

Trev450 said:

Gen 1's you do before start up, Gen 2's after running for a bit.

The only time I get any smoke on start up is if the car has been stopped and started a couple of times when for example I'm moving it around to get my other car out.

Same - isn't it down to small amounts of oil being gathering in the cylinders and then burning off on the first couple of revs from cold? Something like that anyway.

[chip-boy]

just getting use to the car, so will probably be post a few Q's as i find my way around, hope you lot can help out
Also noticed, it sound rough when i first start up, like a blowing exhaust but settles down after a few seconds. again this normal?

up to now, my liking it. very different coming from a Audi A3 derv.

[chip-boy]

any where you can buy the something to protect the paint work near the side vents? as i have noticed a few stone chips in the lacquer and dont wnat it to build up. I have some "armour" protection on my Elise iirc.

[Rockster]

chip-boy said:

just getting use to the car, so will probably be post a few Q's as i find my way around, hope you lot can help out
Also noticed, it sound rough when i first start up, like a blowing exhaust but settles down after a few seconds. again this normal?

up to now, my liking it. very different coming from a Audi A3 derv.

Yes. The DME selects low intake valve lift and richens the fuel mixture to provide extra fuel to the converters where it is burned which speeds up the heating of the converters.

After a cold start and for a moment or two after the engine can sound a bit ragged. (In my Turbo if I listen carefully I can hear backfires in the exhaust.)

But as the engine gains some heat the engine smooths out. It really should smooth out as the rpms drop to near hot idle speed as the DME goes from open loop operation to closed loop operation and the fueling becomes less rich.

[chip-boy]

DME

[RichB]

chip-boy said:

DME

Engine management

[craigjm]

Dan911 said:

I understand all Caymans use oil (the way the flat 6 lays).

I have heard 0.5 litre every 1000-1200 miles can be normal, most members on Planet9 say they use oil.

half a litre per 1000 miles is much higher than any consumption I have ever had. Mine uses about a litre of oil for 10000 miles

[chip-boy]

RichB said:

Engine management

weird.. DME = ECU

anyway, thanks for the replies. Will keep posting, to let you know how im getting on

[Rockster]

chip-boy said:

weird.. DME = ECU

anyway, thanks for the replies. Will keep posting, to let you know how im getting on

DME is the abbreviation for digital motronic (though sometimes I see this a motor) electronics which is what Bosch uses to refer to its line of engine controllers.

Porsche also used engine control module or ECM.

Engine control unit or ECU is used in the USA SAE/ISO documentation pertaining to well, ECU communication for one thing.

[FrankCayman]

I would get the occasional puff of smoke on start up.

In the first 8,000 miles of ownership from new, my Gen 2 2,9 drank all of the oil....

Then from that point forward, it didn't need a drop between the 20K service intervals. My 2.7 987 Boxster was the same.

Boringly, I always run my cars in for the first 1,500 miles....this may have helped?

[juansolo]

Yep they all smoke on start occasionally. As long as it clears quite quickly, it's not a prob. Mild oil use isn't a prob also. Saying that, mine doesn't use any. Being an 09 2.9, you might want to have the bores checked while it's got a warranty for piece of mind...