Uh oh! Bellowing smoke from tailpipe. :(
 

Well crap, I got the low oil warning on the dash just after filling up this evening.
Took the half mile home, shut it off and checked the oil level again from the electronic gauge (I can never read that dipstick... Can never tell how much is on it). It read only half full at first, then checked it again after 20 minutes and it read full again.
No leaks.... Started motor and it's blowing tons of white smoke from tailpipe and even a little wet oil dripping from tailpipe.
Sounds like it might be really bad.
Or could it just be the AOS??

Could really use some input here!
Thanks!

PS: I always check the dash gauge every morning and it has always read full until tonight.

Sounds like a bad AOS, reference this thread to check it.............

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/27235-how-should-oil-cap-act-good-bad-aos.html

Thank you coreseller!
Having it towed to the shop in the morning to be checked out. I'm hoping that's all it is. ;)
The engine sounded just fine, and no oil leaking under the engine.
I've been smelling an oil smell recently when I open the rear trunk. When I pulled the dipstick out with engine running there was a loud sucking sound from the the dipstick tube.

Everything you describe excel the billowing smoke sounds normal. Sometimes,when getting gas you can get a false low reading if the engine is not warm. When it has time to trickle back down into the pan suddenly it is "full" again...

If it is a puff or two of smoke, normal. Giant sustained clouds, not normal. Could be coolant intermix, or oil, depending on color (but I don't recall which color means what)

Follow the steps in coreseller's link to test the aos and that may tell you your next step.

I appreciate the extra input Steve,
Gauge is still reading full, so it might have been a false reading like you suggest. ;)
Engine was warm however. I had just come in off the highway.
I did have to top off my coolant yesterday as it had just fallen below the min. mark.

It is a sustained plume of smoke coming out, at least for the minute or so I let it idle.

Just curious - which Boxster is it?

It's the "new" one, the daily driver.

If no noise or over heat or major coolant loss, I'll say AOS.

Thinking good thoughts.....

Go pick one up and slam it in! Results by 10AM!

Dip stick is the best check, the gauge - who knows
I to, with fresh oil, have a hard time reading
Be steady, roll one time on a paper towel keeping dip stick even with the stain

Since it' probably already in the shop you may know by now.
+1 AOS especially if you are seeing sucking sounds at the dip stick tube

I usually pull it out, wipe it, dip it, pull it out, wipe again, dip it all the way in tight, then pull it out and check it. Sometimes I repeat the last two steps as needed.

:dance:

I use the paper towel with the dipstick, otherwise it is too hard to see the oil level

Lots of people standing by for your update.... Expecting the AOS and a short down time. I can fly a used one to you if I get an OKC flight.

My moms 06 boxster did this the other day, she called me up franticly that smoke was billowing out of the engine. I was only a few minutes away she drove it over. Some times the check engine light will also be triggered. As core seller said take of the oil cap while running and if there is a good vacuum pulling the cap down, it is a very good sign it is the AOS. My bet is AOS as it is a pretty common problem.

AOS is about $100 and it is pretty easy to install if you have a car hoist. You might also want to clean out your intake and check your air filter to make sure no oil went up that way !

Thank you guys! :)
Car arrived at the shop this morning. He called and said he'd give me a report as soon as he looks it over, but he's expecting it to be the AOS as well. ;)

One other thing: (speaking of the intake) yesterday morning the engine started surging and falling at idle, but no issues while driving. I've read that can be another possible symptom of the AOS.

Yes my moms car did that as well almost like it was going to die, after they replace it the car can still smoke for hours after until all the oil is burnt off just a FYI

What shop did you have it taken to? Just curious since I live in the area and am rather new to Porsche ownership.

Hey! Hey! this is a family forum! :confused: Keep that smut to yourself!

I would think yes as higher than normal levels of oil may make it's way into the throttle body. Plus the higher vacuum that the engine starts to see.

I had a bit of Hunting idle. I cleaned the throttle body, tubes, etc and rock solid idle since
I guess it's time to replace my AOS with 79k miles on the clock

Hi Redboxs! It's Planet 9 Eleven in Edmond. ;)
I've had really good experiences there, and prices are reasonable, especially for Porsche work.

I'll ask that cleaning the throttle body and MAS be part of the service if it does turn out to be the AOS. ;)

Are you sure it was white smoke? That is coolant/water "burning". Oil smoke is blue.

Honestly I can't be sure. It was late at night.

DAY 1.

:confused:

+1 on what Bypro said, can't say I'm not intrigued though.....
Do you have a website for this stuff?

Sorry for lack of updates. The shop is backed up so I'll have to wait until Monday to hear anything.

I'm glad I'm not alone in finding the dipstick oil level hard to read. By far the hardest of any vehicle I have owned. Thanks for posting the paper towel trick. I am always nervous that the plastic end of the dipstick will get brittle and drop pieces into the crankcase!

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psfe7sq4gg.jpg
Good Newwwwws everyone! (At least regarding the Boxster)
The garage test drove the car and ran tests on the oil and coolant and found nothing wrong with it. They passed off the incident as just being one of those times a Boxster blows some smoke. Oil was less than a half quart low.
I picked it up and no charge for checking it over.

However on the way there, the Jeep began to boil over and so I had the Porsche shop check it out. Cracked head (which apparently the 4.0 jeep engines are very prone to).
So to recap:
Porsche: Fine.
Jeep: Awaiting a new head at the shop.

Crazy day to say the least.

whew! P-car to the rescue...

Hmmm,

Repairing the head of the Jeep at the Porsche specialty shop sounds fancy...

I anticipate a flurry of dipstick sales ahead...:dance:

Glad to hear the news on the Porsche, it could of been much more ugly. Sit back, drink a beer, and get over the cracked Jeep head......life happens.

Amazing how much I've been able to rely on the Boxsters. Out of all the vehicles I've owned over the last 15 years, I think they've been the most dependable. (Besides my old Nissan truck and '73 Beetle).
In all honesty, My P-Indy is no higher on labor than any other good shop around here, and he's really good. Doesn't hurt that he also has a jeep hobby on the side and knows almost as much about them as Porsches. ;)
Still it does sound fancy. LOL!

Thanks coreseller, you're right! :)