Oil Burning on start up

[Kev_Dodd]

Hi folks,

I'm a relatively new PCGB member and Porsche owner so Hello to you all and any help you can share will appreciated.

My 3.4 Boxster S has started 'chuffing' clouds of smoke on start up from cold. It generally only does this if it has been tuned off cold previously and left for a period of time ( ie. previously just moved around from drive to garage etc.) If parked up after a long hot run the next time its started all appears ok.

If I was talking about an old Ford Pinto or Mini A series (I'll wash my mouth out later!) I'd say them valve stem oil seals are at fault and the head needs a rebuilt. The Boxster however has just had an MOT and no comment was made about about emissions, so hopefully its not worn out, (127k miles) but the symptoms do appear odd to me.

Its a 56 plate car and oil consumption does appear to have gone up recently.

If any one can shed any light please let me know....

Many thanks,
Kevin

 

[thumbhead]

Hi It's a flat six engine which often lets some oil pass from the casing, normal and even though it's a small amount the exhaust plume looks a lot, it's common on Boxster engines or so my Garage tells me as I have the same issue. Don't worry just enjoy the car

 

[kitchens]

As has been said ...do not worry I have had 3 and they all do it from time to time especially from cold .

 

[NutsyH]

+1. Mine is a 10 plate with only 20k miles. Every cold start pushes out plumes of white smoke. They all do that.

 

[Motorhead]

As others have said Kevin, I wouldn't be too concerned at the moment. Being a flat-6 layout, oil can collect in the bores if the car's left standing for a period of time resulting in a plume of smoke the next time you fire up the engine. Having said that, at 127k miles there's bound to be some bore and valve guide wear so best just to keep an eye on the oil consumption and investigate further if it becomes excessive. Jeff

 

[Ivor]

There's probably no need to worry. They all do it!

 

[C2dweller]

There is a part on the engine called the AOS - air oil separator and its name is fairly representative of its job. It vents the crank case gases back into the inlet and stops oil getting through. These do wear and stop separating, so it might be worth replacing if you find the oil a little disturbing. It is a garage job, about an hour labour and about 60-70 for the part. Some say you can tell wear by unscrewing the oil filler cap and feeling for pressure, but this would only be obvious if you had a another 'good' car to hand. When these completely fail you can get some almighty draw-through of oil which is best avoided, so it is a good maintenance task to get done.

 

[smegman]

As C2dweller says it could be the oil/air separator at fault. Start the engine and remove the oil filler cap. If the engine starts running rough or the cap is hard to remove it most certainly the oil/air separator.£ 68.00+vat at eurocar parts and can be changed at home( I have done it) takes about two hrs.

 

[Mike48]

I have similar problem on my '07 3.4 S at 60000 miles. Had it 3000 miles now and take the same attitude as others and just enjoy the noise it makes at over 5000rpm. However, oil consumption is working out at 2000 miles per litre. Anyone any thoughts on whether this is over the top?

 

[CLIFFWILKINS]

As others have said some do it on start up others don't especially if left a week or more.

Oil burning as been said also might be simple as the Oil Separator would be first port of call.

Maybe more serious would be bore problems a bore scope check can tell.

Cliff.

 

[Hoopster]

Echoing what many have said already - small puffs likely to be completely normal. I've also had the experience of a failing AOS-air oil separator, and when that happened it produced serious clouds of smoke... not unlike the 007 smoke screen [] so fairly obvious that something was wrong.

 

[Boxstercol]

Excessive oil consumption could be scored bores, apparently the 3.4 lump is known for it.

 

[jdpef356]

Try this on start up.

It could well be a bit of right foot trouble.

Don't get in the car. Start on the key, standing outside the car.

Do you still get smoke?

 

[tscaptain]

Try this on start up.

It could well be a bit of right foot trouble.

Don't get in the car. Start on the key, standing outside the car.

Do you still get smoke?

Don't you need to depress the clutch to start?

 

[jdpef356]

Try this on start up.

It could well be a bit of right foot trouble.

Don't get in the car. Start on the key, standing outside the car.

Do you still get smoke?

Don't you need to depress the clutch to start?

Pressing the clutch from standing outside the car would be difficult for most

Not required on all model Boxsters anyway.

So amendment for those that need to depress the clutch.

Sit in the car, depress the clutch whilst keeping your right foot well away from the throttle pedal.

Do you still get smoke?