Best technical Boxster forum??
Discussion
Hi All,
Which online forum is best to ask technical questions on?
I have a weird 'issue' with the Boxster having twice dumped a HUGE cloud of oil smoke out the exhaust whilst pressing on. It's NOT the AOS so all the online searches I'm doing keep pointing in the wrong direction.
I did find one other poster with the same problem, but he never confirmed whether he got it fixed or what it was.
So which forum would be best to post a detailed message with the symptoms to get some thoughtful feedback of things to check?
Cheers
Which online forum is best to ask technical questions on?
I have a weird 'issue' with the Boxster having twice dumped a HUGE cloud of oil smoke out the exhaust whilst pressing on. It's NOT the AOS so all the online searches I'm doing keep pointing in the wrong direction.
I did find one other poster with the same problem, but he never confirmed whether he got it fixed or what it was.
So which forum would be best to post a detailed message with the symptoms to get some thoughtful feedback of things to check?
Cheers
thegoose said:
Too much oil?
Well that appears to be the only other suggested option anywhere. But.... the car had oil level spot on when I bought it before Xmas, the next time I checked it (sometime after the first big smoke bomb) it was down 1 bar, and now (after the second smoke bomb) it's down two from top. All this done with less than 200 miles or so.
So last weekend I went over to Northway Porsche (about 5 miles away). They put it on the computer, nothing wrong. He suggested that possibly the electronic scale was undermeasuring and I should check the level using the dipstick. Which, I've not done yet but will shortly.
The two times it's done have been when accelerating up to about 5K, massive, simply hugely massive explosion of white/blue smoke out the back until lift off, and then it's as though nothing has happened. The first time the engine warning did come on for about 30secs but went out of it's own accord.
Then, for a few days, it smokes heavily on start up for a minute or so, but this effect gradually wears off after a few starts until it starts and runs perfectly again with no smoke.
I gave it some on the way back from Northway on saturday, hit 6K a couple of times with no repeat of the issue, so I am erring towards it being overfilled and the two episodes have been excess oil somehow getting sucked into the engine and burnt off.
I really need to check the dipstick I suppose!
And use the car a bit more often to get a better idea of any pattern of this occurring.anonymous said:
[redacted]
It was late saturday morning, I turned up unannounced and unknown, never been there before. Really I just wanted to take it for a run and check them out. I wasn't there for them to 'do' anything just turned up on spec to see if anyone there had any ideas really. Piersman2 said:
Hi All,
Which online forum is best to ask technical questions on?
I have a weird 'issue' with the Boxster having twice dumped a HUGE cloud of oil smoke out the exhaust whilst pressing on. It's NOT the AOS so all the online searches I'm doing keep pointing in the wrong direction.
I did find one other poster with the same problem, but he never confirmed whether he got it fixed or what it was.
So which forum would be best to post a detailed message with the symptoms to get some thoughtful feedback of things to check?
Cheers
Why not the AOS? Unless you have overfilled the engine with oil or were in a sharp left hand turn under heavy braking which is known to force oil to collect under the camshaft cover and then dump a load of oil vapor and oil onto the inadequate AOS that would be my first guess.Which online forum is best to ask technical questions on?
I have a weird 'issue' with the Boxster having twice dumped a HUGE cloud of oil smoke out the exhaust whilst pressing on. It's NOT the AOS so all the online searches I'm doing keep pointing in the wrong direction.
I did find one other poster with the same problem, but he never confirmed whether he got it fixed or what it was.
So which forum would be best to post a detailed message with the symptoms to get some thoughtful feedback of things to check?
Cheers
Otherwise, while these engines can smoke upon start up they generally do not smoke at any other time.
I don't think it's the AOS because:
1. No smoke of any kind when buying the car or for the first week or so of of use. Runs perfectly, no rough idle etc... Slight sucking vacuum on oil filler cap, but barely noticeable.
2. The first HUGE blow out of smoke was on the first time I'd given the car some revs , on a dual carriageway, when it got to 5k revs or so in third. Not exactly track conditions although I had just come off a roundabout before accelerating.
3. I bought and fitted a brand new AOS over xmas. Oil filler cap now very slightly blowing rather than slightly sucking.
4. After a few runs car was back to being totally smoke free again.
5. Took car into town 2 weeks ago and got up to about 5K in second, cue another huge blow out of smoke.
6. Car smoked like a b
d the next time I started it a week later, for about 3 mins, then all fine since.
7. Took it to Northway for a chat, no sign of anything wrong with the car or any symptom of the AOS being duff.
8. Gave it a blat going home and tried to goad it into doing the dump again. Nothing. All good now.
So basically it's never really displayed the classic AOS symptoms (rough idle, sucking oil filler cap) but I changed it out anyways as it seems to be the only thing online that anyone suggests when there's any kind of smoke out the back of a boxster. And it's made no difference.
I'm just trying to understand what it could be. Overfilling seems to be the only other possibility.
1. No smoke of any kind when buying the car or for the first week or so of of use. Runs perfectly, no rough idle etc... Slight sucking vacuum on oil filler cap, but barely noticeable.
2. The first HUGE blow out of smoke was on the first time I'd given the car some revs , on a dual carriageway, when it got to 5k revs or so in third. Not exactly track conditions although I had just come off a roundabout before accelerating.
3. I bought and fitted a brand new AOS over xmas. Oil filler cap now very slightly blowing rather than slightly sucking.
4. After a few runs car was back to being totally smoke free again.
5. Took car into town 2 weeks ago and got up to about 5K in second, cue another huge blow out of smoke.
6. Car smoked like a b
d the next time I started it a week later, for about 3 mins, then all fine since.7. Took it to Northway for a chat, no sign of anything wrong with the car or any symptom of the AOS being duff.
8. Gave it a blat going home and tried to goad it into doing the dump again. Nothing. All good now.
So basically it's never really displayed the classic AOS symptoms (rough idle, sucking oil filler cap) but I changed it out anyways as it seems to be the only thing online that anyone suggests when there's any kind of smoke out the back of a boxster. And it's made no difference.
I'm just trying to understand what it could be. Overfilling seems to be the only other possibility.
The smoke event under hard acceleration after a roundabout is probably due to oil collecting under the camshaft cover. There is only one scavenge pump per side and each is located at opposite ends of their respective head/camshaft cover. Under some conditions g-forces can help keep oil from the scavenge pump intake and this oil gets whipped into a froth by the rapidly spinning camshafts. Once the g-forces are removed then the slug of oil hits the scavenge pumps which tends to add their own frothing to the oil. This frothing creates copious amounts of oil vapor which overwhelms even the best AOS.
As for overfilling, this is easy enough to check for. You shouldn't be guessing.
As for there being positive pressure at the oil filler tube opening that doesn't make any sense. I would have to think if the AOS wasn't bad -- it is new which of course almost eliminates it being bad though of course it could be bad out of the box or go bad shortly after being put into service -- there's an installation problem.
Assuming the AOS is not bad or incorrectly installed and the engine is not over filled with oil, other factors that can contribute to the propensity of the engine to smoke at other than engine start -- and it should do this infrequently -- is the oil is past its change by date, having be in service long enough -- too long -- and having acquired a considerable load of unburned fuel and water which makes the oil much more prone to frothing/foaming.
If the oil is not and approved oil and of the proper multi-viscosity grade, well, there you go.
As for overfilling, this is easy enough to check for. You shouldn't be guessing.
As for there being positive pressure at the oil filler tube opening that doesn't make any sense. I would have to think if the AOS wasn't bad -- it is new which of course almost eliminates it being bad though of course it could be bad out of the box or go bad shortly after being put into service -- there's an installation problem.
Assuming the AOS is not bad or incorrectly installed and the engine is not over filled with oil, other factors that can contribute to the propensity of the engine to smoke at other than engine start -- and it should do this infrequently -- is the oil is past its change by date, having be in service long enough -- too long -- and having acquired a considerable load of unburned fuel and water which makes the oil much more prone to frothing/foaming.
If the oil is not and approved oil and of the proper multi-viscosity grade, well, there you go.
Thanks for your detailed reply, it echos the general consensus of the various threads all over the net I've read in the last few weeks.
I'll check the dipstick this weekend and see how it compares to the electronic display. Hopefully it's as simple as the display under reading slightly.
Cheers!
I'll check the dipstick this weekend and see how it compares to the electronic display. Hopefully it's as simple as the display under reading slightly.
Cheers!
Have you checked the throttle body, is it oily, does the car have a breather pipe, is it full of an emulsion. I had an early 911 and at this time of year if the air breather was not cleaned out it would suck/dump a watery oily emulsion straight into the induction and then combustion chamber. Never did it in warm weather because it was unable to form the emulsion.
I fitted an AOS last summer, got those silly connectors, if one is loose or not seated this would draw moisture in, double check possibly.
Is the oil the same viscosity and type as always used?
Just a few ideas.
I fitted an AOS last summer, got those silly connectors, if one is loose or not seated this would draw moisture in, double check possibly.
Is the oil the same viscosity and type as always used?
Just a few ideas.
Well I got round to fitting a decent battery to the Boxster today, and checked the oil level with the gauge and dipstick.
Gauge says two sectors down from full, dipstick says just over the minimum line, cold and then hot after a run.
If anything the gauge is over reading rather than under reading, so the oil hasn't been overfilled by the looks of it.
Hmmm... strange. Looks like I'm not going to get a better idea until I've had a chance to use it more and see if a clearer pattern emerges.
Gauge says two sectors down from full, dipstick says just over the minimum line, cold and then hot after a run.
If anything the gauge is over reading rather than under reading, so the oil hasn't been overfilled by the looks of it.
Hmmm... strange. Looks like I'm not going to get a better idea until I've had a chance to use it more and see if a clearer pattern emerges.
Gahhhh......
Just when you think it's sorted.
Been using the Boxster a bit more this last week or so, what with the sun coming out and all.
All been good, gave it an oil change last week and was very careful to only fill to half the dipstick to ensure no overfilling issues. Been drigin it around town with no issues, been great. Used it yesterday for work, 100 mile round trip on the M4 , no problems, car was perfect.
But then tonight I take the other half out for dinner, give it some revs and have a little bit of fun on the country roads, again all good on the way to the pub. Until we leave the pub after an hour or so. Start it up, clouds of smoke billowing out which clear after about 30 secs. Drive home and hit 6K revs on a stretch of dual carriageway... queue MASSIVE smoke bomb again obscuring the road behind for a good 1/4 mile.
I'm sure tomorrow morning will be a smokey start again, only for it to clear off after a few seconds.
So.... what's causing the car to suck oil into the air system when the revs are high, when the car is being given some juice? Are there any pipes which could be clogged that could be cleared out?
This is starting to annoy now, the car is perfect except for this, beautiful looking thing and drives great, but I can't use it above 4-5K revs in case it dumps another james bond'esk smoke screen.
Just when you think it's sorted.
Been using the Boxster a bit more this last week or so, what with the sun coming out and all.
All been good, gave it an oil change last week and was very careful to only fill to half the dipstick to ensure no overfilling issues. Been drigin it around town with no issues, been great. Used it yesterday for work, 100 mile round trip on the M4 , no problems, car was perfect.
But then tonight I take the other half out for dinner, give it some revs and have a little bit of fun on the country roads, again all good on the way to the pub. Until we leave the pub after an hour or so. Start it up, clouds of smoke billowing out which clear after about 30 secs. Drive home and hit 6K revs on a stretch of dual carriageway... queue MASSIVE smoke bomb again obscuring the road behind for a good 1/4 mile.
I'm sure tomorrow morning will be a smokey start again, only for it to clear off after a few seconds.
So.... what's causing the car to suck oil into the air system when the revs are high, when the car is being given some juice? Are there any pipes which could be clogged that could be cleared out?
This is starting to annoy now, the car is perfect except for this, beautiful looking thing and drives great, but I can't use it above 4-5K revs in case it dumps another james bond'esk smoke screen.
As an update...
So, I persevere with the Boxster. I spent £600 getting the aircon sorted, a new hood with glass window and a new key switch. Car's looking good and driving great.
So about 4 weeks ago I used it for work 3 days in row. Then got a check oil level warning.
I checked the oil and noticed it was about a litre down, strange, no great sign of any oil loss or oil burning off. I then checked my water level. Oh oh, not good, nothing but emulsified oil in sight. So I drained out the coolant and reckon 25% of the 15 litres or so I extracted is enulsified oil. At least I know where my oil has gone.
So, a heat exchanger or cracked cylinder head. The heat exchanger is only a year old so someone has been this route before and dumped the car as a PX. I'm the lucky mug that then picked it up.
The car has been into the garage today , they've stripped out the engine and confirmed that CH 4-6 is fecked and has been allowing oil into coolant and most probably over pressuring the cam covers causing the AOS issues I started this thread about.
A big decision to strip out the engine, it's a very fine line between whether to scrap the car or repair it as the cost of the engine work will likely be about £2.5K using a second hand replacement head. Only the fact that I've invested so much time and money into making the rest of the car so good persuaded me to go ahead and repair.
Bloody Boxster!!! Can't wait to get it back for what's left of the summer though!
So, I persevere with the Boxster. I spent £600 getting the aircon sorted, a new hood with glass window and a new key switch. Car's looking good and driving great.
So about 4 weeks ago I used it for work 3 days in row. Then got a check oil level warning.
I checked the oil and noticed it was about a litre down, strange, no great sign of any oil loss or oil burning off. I then checked my water level. Oh oh, not good, nothing but emulsified oil in sight. So I drained out the coolant and reckon 25% of the 15 litres or so I extracted is enulsified oil. At least I know where my oil has gone.
So, a heat exchanger or cracked cylinder head. The heat exchanger is only a year old so someone has been this route before and dumped the car as a PX. I'm the lucky mug that then picked it up.
The car has been into the garage today , they've stripped out the engine and confirmed that CH 4-6 is fecked and has been allowing oil into coolant and most probably over pressuring the cam covers causing the AOS issues I started this thread about.
A big decision to strip out the engine, it's a very fine line between whether to scrap the car or repair it as the cost of the engine work will likely be about £2.5K using a second hand replacement head. Only the fact that I've invested so much time and money into making the rest of the car so good persuaded me to go ahead and repair.
Bloody Boxster!!! Can't wait to get it back for what's left of the summer though!
Budweiser said:
Sorry to hear the bad news, good luck with the repair etc. Whos doing it? I only ask because things have a habit of a 'while your in there' syndrome and can start to get out of hand....
Northway in Reading, less than 5 miles from home so the obvious place. I did ask them to give the car the once over before ripping the engine out and have discussed RMS and IMS etc... with them. Their advice is that it all looks ok at the moment so best left well alone.I'm the one doing the scope creep,
I mean to phone them tomorrow and get them to check/swap out the gearbox fluid whilst they've got it in pieces, it's a bit notchy when cold.Gassing Station | Boxster/Cayman | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff