boxster smoking on start up

[mark79]

Hi I have recently bought a boxster (03) with 77,000 on the clock. On start up I have noticed it is a bit smokie. It drives very well in its performance but am a bit worried. I have looked back a service history and only now noticed it has had two minor services at 11,000 and 21,000 then the next two were major at 43,000 and 76,000 with no other services in between. Could this mean the engine is worn badly due to the poor upkeep. If so is there anything I can do?? Any advice I would much appreciate, thanks

Mark

[yimmy149]

White/blue smoke at startup is normal for flat/boxer engines - because the pistons are horizontal oil can seep past the piston rings when parked. Typically you will see it if the car was parked for more than a day or two, or if you park it on a hill. It shouldn't be huge amounts of smoke, just a few seconds worth.

-james

[kabel]

Welcome to the 986forum!

Poke around a bit (search) this is a frequent first post, the occasional plume is a common attribute of the engine design.

i.e. Cloud of Smoke
smoke
Cloud of smoke -Porsche Boxster 2000
etc

[Brad Roberts]

Still not sure why this is considered normal? This is not a dry sump 911 engine where the oil drains back into the case overnight and can get up above the cylinder level and make its way past the rings. The oil in our cars IS IN the bottom of the block all the time. It *should* not be making it's way into the base of the cylinders and past the rings.

I call BS. I call internet BS. This "situation" can and does happen with air cooled 911 dry sump engines.. but it should NOT be happening with the water cooled engines. It is also VERY VERY rare on the 911 engines.

Prove me wrong.. please..



B

[kabel]

But I read it on the internet, it must be tru

[Brad Roberts]

The problem with the web? 99.9% of shop owners who actually KNOW what is going on don't have time to be on the web. Then when they do come on the web and correct people or show people.. they usually get ran off. Happens all the time..


B

[986_Ron]

Originally Posted by Brad Roberts

Still not sure why this is considered normal? This is not a dry sump 911 engine where the oil drains back into the case overnight and can get up above the cylinder level and make its way past the rings. The oil in our cars IS IN the bottom of the block all the time. It *should* not be making it's way into the base of the cylinders and past the rings.

I call BS. I call internet BS. This "situation" can and does happen with air cooled 911 dry sump engines.. but it should NOT be happening with the water cooled engines. It is also VERY VERY rare on the 911 engines.

Prove me wrong.. please..



B

I don't know Brad, both my Boxster and 993 have randomly smoked on startup since I've owned them. Both cars can go weeks or more and then I'll go to start one of them and I get the smoke. My understanding is that both engines, whether air or water cooled have oil sprayed into the cylinder underneath the piston for cooling and lubrication. It's the oil in the cylinder on shutdown - and the horizontal layout of these engines that allows that oil to slowly work it's way past the rings and burn on the next engine start.

[Lil bastard]

Well if the boxer engine is the culprit, are we seeing this phenomenon in the Subi's too?