Engine noise on startup 2002 Boxster 3.2L
 

I had the puffs of white smoke on my 2002 Boxster S and just replaced the air/oil separator with great success which fixed that issue. I live in Florida which stays warm most of the year and took a trip up to the Tail of the Dragon last fall and stayed at a motel a few days. When I got up and on the road in the morning, I heard a rattle noise from the engine for a few seconds on startup which I had not heard before, but it had gotten cold over the night. I have read a few items on this issue which does appear to be the cam tensioner/timing chain which appears to be quite normal for this engine especially after many years and miles. My car only has 40K on it so I researched some engine oil additives and found one that is made in Germany and fixed it by adding it to the oil. Amazon carries it and it is:

Liqui Moly 2009 Anti-Friction Oil Treatment
Motor oil additive - Liqui Moly MoS2 anti-friction (300 ml. Can)
Forms High load-bearing film of lubricant on all friction surfaces
You will be surprised at how much better your engine sounds and how controlled it will be even at very high RPM

Check it out, I highly recommend it!

Thanks for that Tip mine is noisy at first also !!...Frank

Very cool, I think you're the first that I've seen to use that! I'm always skeptical of additives but liquimoly is a good company.

Have you looked at replacing the pressure release spring and cap assembly? TTGator has a nice video on it. Essentially the oem spring opens at too high of a pressure so it and the cap were redesigned to address this issue. Its only $25 for parts, maybe just something to think about in your next oil change.

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Interesting. I have a 2002 Boxster S and the same has happened twice in a year. One night after driving and the car sitting fior a few hours, on start up, there was a rattling sound from the engine and the oil light went on. I stooped the engine, checked the oil level which was fine. and restarted. Noise gone. It happened one other time a few months later. I turned off the engine and started again. Noise gone. It's been about 9 months with no repeat.

I had that startup chain rattling only ONCE within 20 years of ownership.
It sounds scary, no doubt. But nothing to worry about, I was told by Porsche.

Reading Oil Dipstick question
 

I cannot trust the oil level gauge in my 04 Boxster S (due to various electronic gremlins). I have had the car a very short time and I am not sure how/when to read the oil level on the dip stick. Is it to be read when cold (sitting level) or once the engine comes up to temp (i.e. a short drive etc.)? Any guidance or instructions would greatly be appreciated. :cheers: