993 Smoke on start up.
Discussion
Good morning,
I know that most Boxer engines do it for various reasons but how long should it take to clear up?
Mines puff's slightly for a short time only on cold startup. It appears to be white smoke and it looks like there's small amounts of fluid in the exhaust tips. Condensation? The engine feels as strong as anything and there are no odd sounds and no smoke when accelerating hard.
Oil usage seems to be approx a litre per 1000 miles although TBH I haven't measured this accurately yet.
There's been some discussion on this but what's the current thinking?
Car's done 103k miles.
Cheers.
I know that most Boxer engines do it for various reasons but how long should it take to clear up?
Mines puff's slightly for a short time only on cold startup. It appears to be white smoke and it looks like there's small amounts of fluid in the exhaust tips. Condensation? The engine feels as strong as anything and there are no odd sounds and no smoke when accelerating hard.
Oil usage seems to be approx a litre per 1000 miles although TBH I haven't measured this accurately yet.
There's been some discussion on this but what's the current thinking?
Car's done 103k miles.
Cheers.
Hey Molly.
It seems white(ish) although watching the Cosworth rebuild on wheeler dealers last night the smoke on startup was described as being blue. I thought that looked white!!
The previous owner had just changed the oil ( fully synthetic )before I purchased last year however I'll change the oil again this week. The oil on the dipstick looks very fresh.
How long should do these things puff for on cold startup?
It seems white(ish) although watching the Cosworth rebuild on wheeler dealers last night the smoke on startup was described as being blue. I thought that looked white!!
The previous owner had just changed the oil ( fully synthetic )before I purchased last year however I'll change the oil again this week. The oil on the dipstick looks very fresh.
How long should do these things puff for on cold startup?
Solarized said:
Hey Molly.
It seems white(ish) although watching the Cosworth rebuild on wheeler dealers last night the smoke on startup was described as being blue. I thought that looked white!!
The previous owner had just changed the oil ( fully synthetic )before I purchased last year however I'll change the oil again this week. The oil on the dipstick looks very fresh.
How long should do these things puff for on cold startup?
A little blue smoke is normal too but it should clear within maybe 5 seconds or so. It's just oil sitting in the cylinders due to the boxer configuration.It seems white(ish) although watching the Cosworth rebuild on wheeler dealers last night the smoke on startup was described as being blue. I thought that looked white!!
The previous owner had just changed the oil ( fully synthetic )before I purchased last year however I'll change the oil again this week. The oil on the dipstick looks very fresh.
How long should do these things puff for on cold startup?
If its got 0w 40w in it, I would recommend 10w 40 magnatec instead. Unless they have changed, it's what Hartech use.
However, this is a controversial subject!
mollytherocker said:
A little blue smoke is normal too but it should clear within maybe 5 seconds or so. It's just oil sitting in the cylinders due to the boxer configuration.
If its got 0w 40w in it, I would recommend 10w 40 magnatec instead. Unless they have changed, it's what Hartech use.
However, this is a controversial subject!
Cheers fella.If its got 0w 40w in it, I would recommend 10w 40 magnatec instead. Unless they have changed, it's what Hartech use.
However, this is a controversial subject!
Solarized said:
When I bought the car the needle on the oil tank level gauge on the dash was actually past the 'full' mark. I've since read it should be at the 3 o'clock position when the correct amount of oil is put in.
Perhaps it had been overfilled
Are you reading it correctly? Engine fully up to temp, left running and on a flat surface at idle.Perhaps it had been overfilled
mollytherocker said:
Are you reading it correctly? Engine fully up to temp, left running and on a flat surface at idle.
Yes I always read it on the same flat concrete floor after a run. I also make sure that the tyres are at the correct pressure as this slightly affected readings in the past.Solarized said:
mollytherocker said:
Are you reading it correctly? Engine fully up to temp, left running and on a flat surface at idle.
Yes I always read it on the same flat concrete floor after a run. I also make sure that the tyres are at the correct pressure as this slightly affected readings in the past.mollytherocker said:
It could be overfilled then. You need to do a dipstick reading, although they are very hard to read especially if the oil is clean!
Sure is.Took me ages of staring at the engine bay before I finally spotted the dipstick lol
Then I nearly passed out when I thought the dipstick had no oil on it. Once I put the dipstick onto a paper towel the oil was easily seen.
Solarized said:
Thanks PP.
How long does it puff for?
I've heard it can be anything from a few seconds to several minutes.
Just a few seconds from memory. I've stopped taking any notice of it. I have owned my 993 for 9 years. The worry about puffs of smoke etc was there during the first few months of ownership. How long does it puff for?
I've heard it can be anything from a few seconds to several minutes.
pp
Solarized said:
When I bought the car the needle on the oil tank level gauge on the dash was actually past the 'full' mark. I've since read it should be at the 3 o'clock position when the correct amount of oil is put in.
Perhaps it had been overfilled
The gauge (though not 100% acurate)should settle down and give a reading after ticking over for at least a minute with the engine warmed through. ie up to at least the second marker on the oil temp gauge.Perhaps it had been overfilled
Personally I fill up so that the oil gauge reads to the max marker. This is because my gauge over reads slightly. ....... there was a panic moment the first time I read the gauge before I realised.
Just remember to let her idle for quite a while. My gauge suddenly jumps a good quarter the gauge around a minute after letting her idle, becasue the oil has fully returned to the oil tank.
I had the option with which engine oil to use. In the end, I went with Shell Semi, Helix plus 10/40 as per my OPC recommendation, as they still deal with alot of old school Porsche and this seems to work well for older aircooled engines. Though they do still recommend Mobil as well1.
I think Porsche state that upto 1 litre per 600 miles oil use is acceptable before further investigation is required.
White smoke is normal on start-up, stop worrying. Hope your enjoying her, I love mine. 103K miles should be nothing if she's been looked after and serviced.
Wozy I'm completely smitten with the car. It is just fantastic. What an experience. The feel, the sound, the smell, the look, everything. I can't believe the positive reactions from people too ( although I never buy a car for this reason ) it's nice anyway. Some people have asked to take photos and one couple drove alongside me and filmed it on the motorway 
I didn't know where to look LOL. An amazing machine and I feel very priveledged even though I've had the odd unnecessary panic.
I didn't know where to look LOL. An amazing machine and I feel very priveledged even though I've had the odd unnecessary panic.Solarized said:
Wozy I'm completely smitten with the car. It is just fantastic. What an experience. The feel, the sound, the smell, the look, everything. I can't believe the positive reactions from people too ( although I never buy a car for this reason ) it's nice anyway. Some people have asked to take photos and one couple drove alongside me and filmed it on the motorway I didn't know where to look LOL. An amazing machine and I feel very priveledged even though I've had the odd unnecessary panic.
I see you have gone for the best colour as well. I didn't know where to look LOL. An amazing machine and I feel very priveledged even though I've had the odd unnecessary panic.
My 964 gives out the condensation belch on start up, it always looks slightly worrying but clears up soon after and is definitely white.
How much do you lot trust your dash oil level guage?
Mine seems to flutter too much to put any faith in, even when up to temp and parked on the flat. Dipstick reading is just below the max notch but when the dash guage does read it fires up to the max marker.
Upgraded Pressure Sensor recommended?
How much do you lot trust your dash oil level guage?
Mine seems to flutter too much to put any faith in, even when up to temp and parked on the flat. Dipstick reading is just below the max notch but when the dash guage does read it fires up to the max marker.
Upgraded Pressure Sensor recommended?
I'm being told by OPC and various respected indies that condensation is most likely causing my light puffing on startup.
Apparently the oil gauge on the dash has 1.75 litres of oil from the min to max position and should read approx two thirds full. The dipstick should read 'two fingers' from the max position.
Up until now I've used my oil gauge on the dash to measure oil. Always on the same flat concrete surface and always up to temp. I believe my gauge to be fairly accurate however I intend to use the dipstick from tomorrow when the oil is changed.
If my gauge is even 'roughly' accurate then it would seem that my 993 doesn't use much oil.
Apparently the oil gauge on the dash has 1.75 litres of oil from the min to max position and should read approx two thirds full. The dipstick should read 'two fingers' from the max position.
Up until now I've used my oil gauge on the dash to measure oil. Always on the same flat concrete surface and always up to temp. I believe my gauge to be fairly accurate however I intend to use the dipstick from tomorrow when the oil is changed.
If my gauge is even 'roughly' accurate then it would seem that my 993 doesn't use much oil.
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