White smoke on startup until car is warmed up
Discussion
Hi, I have a gen 2 987 Cayman and now its getting cold outside I’m noticing that I have a fair amount of white smoke coming out of my exhaust when I start it from cold.
I use the car every day to go to/from work and its about a 20 min drive each way, I always keep the revs low until the water temperature gauge is at 80. I have noticed that there is a lot of smoke from startup until the water temperature reaches its level. Oil levels are good and there has been no drop in level. The smoke is definitely white not blue and the engine ticks over nice and smooth.
Is this just condensation which I’m experiencing? I’ve heard about the air/oil separator issues and wondered if the symptoms for that are what I’m experiencing.
Is this typical for the old caymans & boxters?
I use the car every day to go to/from work and its about a 20 min drive each way, I always keep the revs low until the water temperature gauge is at 80. I have noticed that there is a lot of smoke from startup until the water temperature reaches its level. Oil levels are good and there has been no drop in level. The smoke is definitely white not blue and the engine ticks over nice and smooth.
Is this just condensation which I’m experiencing? I’ve heard about the air/oil separator issues and wondered if the symptoms for that are what I’m experiencing.
Is this typical for the old caymans & boxters?
As suggested it's likely to just be condensation but.. it could possibly be the start of the oil/air seperator failing.
A quick and easy check is to remove the oil filler cap with the engine running. If there is a problem with the seperator the cap will be difficult to remove due to the big vacuum in the crankcase..
A quick and easy check is to remove the oil filler cap with the engine running. If there is a problem with the seperator the cap will be difficult to remove due to the big vacuum in the crankcase..
londonninja said:
Hi, I have a gen 2 987 Cayman and now its getting cold outside I’m noticing that I have a fair amount of white smoke coming out of my exhaust when I start it from cold.
I use the car every day to go to/from work and its about a 20 min drive each way, I always keep the revs low until the water temperature gauge is at 80. I have noticed that there is a lot of smoke from startup until the water temperature reaches its level. Oil levels are good and there has been no drop in level. The smoke is definitely white not blue and the engine ticks over nice and smooth.
Is this just condensation which I’m experiencing? I’ve heard about the air/oil separator issues and wondered if the symptoms for that are what I’m experiencing.
Is this typical for the old caymans & boxters?
At this time of year and given it’s not blue, it does seem likely it would be just steam.I use the car every day to go to/from work and its about a 20 min drive each way, I always keep the revs low until the water temperature gauge is at 80. I have noticed that there is a lot of smoke from startup until the water temperature reaches its level. Oil levels are good and there has been no drop in level. The smoke is definitely white not blue and the engine ticks over nice and smooth.
Is this just condensation which I’m experiencing? I’ve heard about the air/oil separator issues and wondered if the symptoms for that are what I’m experiencing.
Is this typical for the old caymans & boxters?
The oil will still be cold when the water hits 80C. Best stay easy on revs and load until the oil hits 70C or so.
"...I always keep the revs low until the water temperature gauge is at 80..."
I've found that, during warming up, water and oil temps can be 50C apart, with oil representing the temperature of the block/crankcase, and water temperature that of the cylinder-head. This represents stress across the engine. I like to see 90C for both oil and water before I use the upper rev-range and WOTs.
This on all my cars... KSeries Midgdet, Elise S2 and 981C. it represents around 5 -8 miles on first 2, and 10 - 15 miles in the Cay.
I've found that, during warming up, water and oil temps can be 50C apart, with oil representing the temperature of the block/crankcase, and water temperature that of the cylinder-head. This represents stress across the engine. I like to see 90C for both oil and water before I use the upper rev-range and WOTs.
This on all my cars... KSeries Midgdet, Elise S2 and 981C. it represents around 5 -8 miles on first 2, and 10 - 15 miles in the Cay.
I (very occasionally) get big clouds of white smoke on start up (also a 987.2). It can be summer or winter or any time in between. It goes away fairly quickly and is only on start up. It does not continue once I am on my way. It frightened the bejesus out of me first time and I called my Porsche indie specialist immediately (since I had bought it from them but weeks prior to the first 'event'). 'They all do that Sir', was the response. Whether that was right or wrong I know not but since I've had the car for almost four years and it hasn't gone pop (far from it, it seems to get better and better!) then I presume that they all do that!
JM
JM
I had my AOS replaced earlier this year as mine was kicking out the same but with a definate blue hue to it. Wasn't an expensive fix from my local indie so i wouldn't worry about it too much. If there's no blue and it goes away when you're on the move then it just sounds like normal condensation to me.
A1VDY said:
As suggested it's likely to just be condensation but.. it could possibly be the start of the oil/air seperator failing.
A quick and easy check is to remove the oil filler cap with the engine running. If there is a problem with the seperator the cap will be difficult to remove due to the big vacuum in the crankcase..
Thanks for the tip. I’ve just checked and the oil filler cap wasn’t difficult to take off but there was suction...is it typical to have some suction or should there be non at all?A quick and easy check is to remove the oil filler cap with the engine running. If there is a problem with the seperator the cap will be difficult to remove due to the big vacuum in the crankcase..
There shouldn't be any suction at all. It looks as though the fault could well be the oil/ air seperator. It it is indeed the problem theyre not expensive, depends where you buy from but usually between £60 to £90.
Theyre a once piece item so not repairable and its usually the diaphragm which splits inside.
Theyre a once piece item so not repairable and its usually the diaphragm which splits inside.
A1VDY said:
There shouldn't be any suction at all. It looks as though the fault could well be the oil/ air seperator. It it is indeed the problem theyre not expensive, depends where you buy from but usually between £60 to £90.
Theyre a once piece item so not repairable and its usually the diaphragm which splits inside.
Slight suction and changed idle is normal in my experience after removing the oil filler cap.Theyre a once piece item so not repairable and its usually the diaphragm which splits inside.
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