White smoke on hard acceleration - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

rak44 · 05-25-2008, 05:27 PM

I have a 01 "S" , upon hard acceleration, usually in second gear over 6000 rpm I get a huge cloud of white smoke from my exhaust. No warning lights or engine running hot. I can continue driving without any additional smoke. 2 months ago I had my Air/oil separator replaced, so by now any oil residue should have been burned off. I have no smoke on start up, the engine runs very smooth without any strange noises. Also motor is not running hot. It seems very strange, any advise ?

renzop · 05-26-2008, 04:17 AM

White smoke usually means coolant. Have you checked the coolant level recently?

It is weird that it only happens under acceleration though. It leads me to believe that it might not be exhaust but tire rub. Do you have unusual size tires or non-stock wheels? Maybe under hard acceleration the rear end dips down and something is rubbing.

Good luck,
Alan

TEX · 07-21-2009, 05:05 PM

I have the same issue ,especially when going up a freeway ramp in 2nd gear,
It seems to ONLY do that when OIL level is about half way or more on the MY2000 Boxster S .
Have been back to the dealer and they say it didn't happen to them when on a test.
It only seems to happen when I have taken it for a short drive 10 kms or so and then accelerate hard up a ramp.

Could it nbe my Oil level guage is faulty ? Although the dip stick indicator also shows about the same amount on testing it.

timothy · 07-21-2009, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEX

I have the same issue ,especially when going up a freeway ramp in 2nd gear,
It seems to ONLY do that when OIL level is about half way or more on the MY2000 Boxster S .
Have been back to the dealer and they say it didn't happen to them when on a test.
It only seems to happen when I have taken it for a short drive 10 kms or so and then accelerate hard up a ramp.

Is this also in the 6000+ RPM range, and are you accelerating through a turn or is it a straight ramp?

TEX · 07-21-2009, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timothy

Is this also in the 6000+ RPM range, and are you accelerating through a turn or is it a straight ramp?

YES ,its about that rev range, also only up a ramp.

timothy · 07-21-2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEX

YES ,its about that rev range, also only up a ramp.

Since the car is going straight I don't have an answer for you. Perhaps someone else will have a suggestion.

07-21-2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEX

YES ,its about that rev range, also only up a ramp.

this may not give you a 100% answer, but drain your oil, and watch it as it comes out. Coolant (when it mixes with oil) will look white - almost toothpaste like.

Check you coolant, and the top of your coolant res tank for oil.

best of luck

Adam · 07-22-2009, 07:32 AM

What do the coolant and oil levels look like?

TEX · 07-22-2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred Demara

this may not give you a 100% answer, but drain your oil, and watch it as it comes out. Coolant (when it mixes with oil) will look white - almost toothpaste like.

Check you coolant, and the top of your coolant res tank for oil.

best of luck

Coolant is fine ,NO sign of any oil there!!

Only thing I can think of is that my oil level guages are wrong (both the dipstick and the electronic read out) ??

The Dealer keeps saying that they can't find anything wrong!

redhead · 07-13-2013, 01:04 AM

Hi!

Same thing happened to me with my 2001 BoxsterS. Hard acceleration, 6000+ rpm. Massive explosion of smoke! Spectacular display. However, my engine warning light flashed for about a minute or so. This was in a straight line, and no incline. Same display as a blown head gasket (I would think). That was 2 days ago. She is no longer smoking though. Could it have been some "dirt in the system, as this happened straight after an oil change?

fatmike · 07-13-2013, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redhead

However, my engine warning light flashed for about a minute or so.

Redhead - not the same. Flashing engine warning is very very bad. Don't run the car and take it in to a qualified mechanic for a look.

/

thom4782 · 07-13-2013, 07:36 AM

Redhead:

Flashing engine light signals a potentially catastrophic engine problem. Suggest you do not start engine and tow the car to qualified shop for diagnosis.

reiver · 08-01-2013, 07:40 AM

I got this this morning in a hard right (almost 90 degree turn) at high RPMs when hitting the apex at full throttle and for about 1/4 mile past. Scared the crap out of me. I just checked the oil last night. I'm a bit worried now. I didn't see any engine lights on the dash....

southernstar · 08-01-2013, 08:34 AM

If you had a flashing check engine light it would not go off on its own, so I would relax a bit. It is probably the AOS (air/oil separator) and there are a number of threads on the subject that you should search and read. You can have a check done of the crankcase vacuum to confirm, but what you describe (as well as regular white smoke on start-up) are common signs. I would not wait until it completely expires as it will make a mess of the throttle body and the MAF sensor.

Brad

reiver · 08-01-2013, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southernstar

If you had a flashing check engine light it would not go off on its own, so I would relax a bit. It is probably the AOS (air/oil separator) and there are a number of threads on the subject that you should search and read. You can have a check done of the crankcase vacuum to confirm, but what you describe (as well as regular white smoke on start-up) are common signs. I would not wait until it completely expires as it will make a mess of the throttle body and the MAF sensor.

Brad

Thanks! I'm on Pelican Parts - have the boot, AOS, both tubes, clamp, and o-rings...that should do the trick right? I'm trying to get it in by tomorrow.

Cheers,

reiver · 08-01-2013, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reiver

Thanks! I'm on Pelican Parts - have the boot, AOS, both tubes, clamp, and o-rings...that should do the trick right? I'm trying to get it in by tomorrow.

Cheers,

The engine starts dying when I open the oil fill cap and is pulling a vaccuum, so I'm guessing (and from some brief mention of it on another thread) that it is indeed the problem. I figured if it wasn't the AOS, I'd have a new one so one less thing to worry about on the to-do list...

southernstar · 08-02-2013, 04:48 AM

Yes, the vacuum is another sure fire sign. And yes, those are the parts you should need. That and a pair of gloves!!!!! Keep us posted.

Brad

taiapkpro · 08-02-2013, 09:25 AM

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Mr.E · 09-01-2024, 10:56 AM

Hello I am having the same issue with my Boxster 1999.It’s blowing thick clouds of white smoke but it’s intermittently.i know the shop I took it to over filled the oil and since then Iv drained it to where it should be but I can get a mile down the road no issues but then when give it a little throttle to say 45 50 miles per hour it starts with the white smoke.any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.