Not a good day for my 986S 2001. Smoke and engine dead

[thom4782]

P0304 code means: cylinder 4 misfire damaging to the catalytic converter. My quick search suggests that a bad coil pack can cause trigger this code. Not sure how that would cause / explain smoke. If you want to run a quick check for internal damage, inspect the oil filter for metal debris. Hopefully you don't see any and have reason to hope.

PS: a failed air oil separator can create huge smokescreen behind your car.

[tomc88]

it's beyond my abilities to fix! Luckily there's a porsche specialist garage I use a few miles away. I'll need to get them to tow it in and check it out

[woodsman]

Originally Posted by tomc88

it's beyond my abilities to fix! Luckily there's a porsche specialist garage I use a few miles away. I'll need to get them to tow it in and check it out

sad to hear... The fact it's not leaking is a good sign. Here's to hoping it's just the AOS

[Jake Raby]

Cylinder 4 hydro locks earlier than all others during an AOS failure. This is due to intake manifold characteristics.

I bet you have an AOS failure. Collateral damage TBD.

[woodsman]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

Cylinder 4 hydro locks earlier than all others during an AOS failure. This is due to intake manifold characteristics.

I bet you have an AOS failure. Collateral damage TBD.

when you say ' hydro-locks' do you mean, as in fluid doesn't compress so... carnage. Is there no end to how these things (Porsche's) will destroy themselves???

[Nine8Six]

Nothing to worry other than having to change your AOS unit ($300 job sadly)

Friend here had the same thing happening to his 986 of the freeway. HUGE puff of smoke, car/engine stalled because of all the oil found its way in the cylinders at once and that doesn't burn too well. Dash lights went on (solid CEL), we all panic, etc etc etc.... same as yours.

If the engine simply stalled slowly and you didn't heard any damage-style noise then the engine is just fine mate.

Hydro-lock, whatever that means, would have "locked" the engine and you would have heard it badly I believe. Possibly wheel locks and all as well......

Wouldn't worry too much. Also, because some oil found its way in the exhaust system, your O2 sensors will be next Cheap cheap fix

[Jake Raby]

Hydro Lock doesn't actually seize the engine in the majority of scenarios that occur at speed.

The cylinder does not have to become completely filled with oil for the top ring to break, which is what generally happens with #4, or the cylinder will crack/ D chunk.

There's also the possibility that you just fouled the #4 spark plug, because that cylinder sees the most oil and sees it faster than the other cylinders.

Is there no end to how these things (Porsche's) will destroy themselves???

Come hang out here for a week... Your mind will be blown.