A puff of oil smoke at start-up

[Rob175]

If I haven't started my 98' (74,000 miles) in a week I occasionally get just a small puff of oil smoke from the exhaust. Is this somewhat typical/normal? The car runs great and really doesn't burn oil between changes.

Thoughts?..... A friend said that it's normal for that to occur if not driven for a week at a time.

[78F350]

It can be normal, especially if the car was run for a short time the last time it was started.

A quick search of the forum shows plenty of results. Here are a few typical threads:
smoke on start up HELP
Puff of blue smoke

..and for your outside air temp thread, search "OBC hack".

[Mark_T]

totally normal for these engines

[Rob175]

Thanks guys! I appreciate the repies.

RW

[mikesz]

normal for the boxer engines. Subies do it too

[Spanner]

I think it gives it character - mine does it on occasions and if anyone comments I just say "I'm firing the beast up"

[tnoice]

It sounds like your Boxster is a smoker.....get it NicoDerm CQ. That should fix it. "You stick the patch on the rear fender."

[Hawaiian Driver]

Perfectly normal, my car does it as well from time to time. Especially if its been sitting for over a week.

[jrblackman]

Originally Posted by mikesz

normal for the boxer engines. Subies do it too

I've owned two Imprezas and recently bought a 2015 Forester. Great cars and you can't beat their AWD in bad weather.

[FLAT64EVER]

Welcome to a flat 6 engine. Perfectly normal as described ... enjoy your car!