Blue Smoke

[engineerjim]

In preparation for a trip to Paris next weekend, I backed the car out of the garage so that I could take the headlamps out to adjust them for driving "a droit" Ten minutes later when I started her up to put her back in the garage I noticed a puff of blue smoke.

Given the configuration of the engine I hope this is just some residual oil lying in the pots and nothing serious. Could anybody confirm that this is "normal behaviour" for my best beloved.

 

[sotoole]

When i had a Boxster S, it did this 2 or 3 times I had it. It always seemed to do it when parked on a hill with back end down the hill. I thought it was because too much oil in the sump.
Shane

 

[jac in a box]

Yes, it's normal...so long as it stops smoking after 15 seconds or so.

Think is due to the engine layout, dry sump etc etc - just way above my head!

Jackie

 

[Elliot Davies]

My 964/986 have always done that too.
Fear not............
Its quite a common 'boxer' configuration engine trait, oil sits and seeps through the rings into the combustion chamber and smokes initially when started.
as long as it doesnt continue then there is no cause for alarm.

Keep checking the rear view mirror for a smog []

 

[engineerjim]

Thanks

I shall sleep easy tonight

 

[thboxster]

If you only get a puff of smoke when you fire the car up then this is normal. I think you'll find most people on here will have experienced it on a regular basic. It's all to do with the engine design - being a flat six.

If you see great billows of smoke or it smokes continously then that's a different matter and I would get that checked out.

 

[Claire]

I was asked this by another member recently.
as tony says it is the flat 6. if the car stands then oil gets into the combustion chamber and on start up you get blue smoke.
As long as it is only on startup then you should be OK but if it more than just startup then it might needing looking at.

 

[martynbox]

Thanks. Do you think that there is any relation to the oil level. all the bars are full on start up most of the time. will it do any damage ie do i need to get some removed

 

[penfold944]

I've had it happen to me twice in the last 3 years - in 2 different cars.

One has been sitting up for about 4 days and it blew plumes of smoke on startup - just the once though.

The second time was in my current car, I pulled in having driven across the city. Turned off the car for about 2 mins and started it up again. Upon startup it blew loads of smoke out the back ( that turned a few heads ), but no ill effect.

I think its pretty normal, but not that common an occourance either.. I guess its just a question of how often it does it.... Check the level on the actual dipstick. If its not overfull dont worry about it. My digital dipstick pretty much always reads full - only shows not full if I park in a hill or something

Alan

 

[Rob Edwards]

Hi
Nothing to worry about with the odd puff on startup - this is an accepted trait of boxer engines, and the same used to happen on the boxer engines on my BMW bikes.
It can sometimes be exaggerated by the car parking on an incline for some time.
As mentioned, if it persists after initial startup or there is constant smoke, then this is a different matter and should be checked out asap
Rob

 

[jw2015]

I've been getting a puff of smoke quite often recently. Unfortunately, due to a ruptured disk in my back, I've not been driving much, and the car can be sitting for a week at a time or more without being started, and if it is used at all it's usually just a short journey, probably without reaching full temp. Now I know a puff of smoke is probably expected under these circumstances but today it started for the 2nd time in succession with a big puff of smoke but this time it also continued to smoke for 300-400 metres (low speed, stop and start situation). That's the first time it has done this. There was enough smoke for me to notice it in the rear-view and for a couple of passers-by to point and smile smugly. It cleared after that and I ran at full temp for a while and did a couple of restarts with no more smoke. Is this an indication of problems to come or is that level of smoke expected from lack of use. When I started it the previous time and it blew a cloud of smoke, I only moved it about 2 metres so it probably hadn't a chance to burn off all the oil that had accumulated, so perhaps this time a double dose of oil had collected. Any opinions? I think I'll should probably ask the OPC to check it. I'm due the warranty check soon anyway.
It's the last thing you want when starting up your pride and joy in a built up area with lots of people. It has got to the point where I won't start the car until people have passed, as once or twice people have been caught in a huge cloud of smoke and weren't happy about it. Try explaining to complete strangers that it's normal and you're not a complete idiot who has wrecked his engine. I know people say it's normal for a boxer engine but I don't hear any Subaru owners admitting to burning oil on startup.

 

[Rob Edwards]

Hi
From what you are describing, if this is happening on a fairly regular basis and for a fair while after start-up, I would get an OPC to check it out - at least you'll have peace of mind.
If it is as significant as you describe I would think (IMHO) that there is something amiss here.
I hope it all works out OK.
Rob