white smoke/steam out of exhaust 996 3.6

[danh996]

Hi,
I've just had a very nerve wracking experience in my recently purchased 02 facelift 996 3.6 C2 coupe.
Yesterday (Sunday 8th MAY) White smoke/steam poured out of the exhaust following driving the car enthusiastically (not thrashing). This happened not when we'd stopped but about 10 minutes later on start up. It happened again about 10 minutes later, again on start up haven driven about 1 mile. I initially worried about head gasket, but had RAC check it out and they we confident it was condensation in the rear exhausts mixed with build up of carbons to make steamy/smoke mix. I havent lost any water and the temperature hasn't faultered but I'm still a little concerned. I have also spoken to Porsche and they said it was a "characteristic" of the flat six engine, being that oil can sit in the cylinders and puff out on start up.
Have I knackered it chaps ? If yes any ideas what may have happened, if no and i'm just being a girl can anybody put my mind at rest !!!??

Kind regards

danh996

[911 habit]

Dan, I would worry too much about it, if it’s just occasional on cold start up, this is normal. If it’s very excessive when the engine is up at running temperature, then take it to your nearest OPC for a check up. Best place for peace of mind!
Gerry

[BliarOut]

The other thing to check is the oil level isn't too high. If mine's a fraction over the upper level (As mine was at my last OPC service!) it makes the startup puff worse.

It does seem to be a characteristic of the engine, as my Boxster is exactly the same. Looks a little embarrasing though, so I try to cold start when the neighbours aren't looking

[Harris_I]

They all do that sir.

You haven't knackered it, and it is a characteristic as the OPC said.

To avoid embarrassing yourself in front of the neighbours on cold start up, after an enthusiastic run don't just switch off. Trundle round the block for a few minutes - that worked for me.

[t urbo]

Upon start up of my old 03 tt with my parents standing next to it i got the biggest smoke cloud i had ever seen.my dad laughed and said "94 grand and it smokes like that, that cant be right! i'd get it checked son!"

[danh996]

Thanks for your comments,
I guess its just one of those things !! I'm not as worried now from your supportive words, and the smoke/vapour has cleared up now - phew !
Thanks again !

danh996

[k3nnyG]

Hi folks, not looking to hijack this but after a run today on a twisty road i had fairly substantial smoke when accelerating up the slip road on to M-way...it did clear and all gauges showing fine and engine sounds good. Bloody frightening though. Any thoughts/checks appreciated.

[peterg1955]

I'm not sure waiting 16 years from the original post counts as hijacking...

It's possibly the AOS (air oil separator) is on its way out as they do go after a while, mine went at 55k miles and the indication was just like yours, full throttle in 2nd and as I changed up to 3rd big puff of white smoke...

The part itself I think is only about £60-70 but most Indys will want to drop the engine (manual cars) or engine and box (tiptronics) so budget around £5-700 it 'can' be done with the engine in situ but is really fiddly...

There are ways to confirm it (do a google for 996 + AOS) but one is that it's very hard to get the oil filler cap off with the engine running as it creates a vacuum which sucks it on.