Big Smoke Cloud on Ignition

OK so I know about the boxer engine and puff of white smoke on ignition due to the bit of fuel left over on stopping. But I started my car today in the underground car park after it was standing for 4hours after a quick 15mile journey to work, and when I started the car there was a big and I mean big cloud of oil smelling smoke from the rear of the car. The smoke hung around from some time. To make things worse, this was the first day after taking the hard top off, and I had the roof down, plus this was the first time the wife was with me in the car Is there something I should be worried about? Or am I becoming paranoid... I found this post which was very similar but mine is gh 996 C4S http://911uk.com/viewtopic.php?t=52611&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=ignition+smoke I then drove home, left the car for 3hrs and then started again(did not drive) and a similar smoke cloud again. I will try it again in the morning :nooo: Given my problems with the car so far, 4 wks into ownership. I can take back to OPC but I want to take the car on holiday on weekend for to the Lake District.

Hi. The first thing that I would say is that what ever amount of smoke came out it was bound to seem more dramatic due to where you were at the time - an underground car park. In such a place the smoke has nowhere to go immediately and is bound to hang around for far longer than it would whilst on your driveway, etc. This would make anyone think that the situation was worse than it might really be. You're obviously aware of the tendency for these boxer engines to do this after short runs but there may be a few other factors that might have contributed to the smoke output: Are you over-full with oil? How many miles has the car covered?(ie. Is the engine particularly worn or old?). How's your oil pressure at tick over when she's warm (2 to 3 bar..?). I might be wrong but I'd say that there are two factors that might be contributing to the situation; you've only owned the car for four weeks and it appears that (understandably) you've spent maybe a little too long reading about the horrors that can occur with similar cars on this (and maybe other) forums? I can't believe that I'm saying this but you're lucky that you bought the car from an OPC and, as such, you can just wheel it back to them if you really do have a problem. Which I doubt you do. :thumbs: Have a good weekend. Adrian. P.S. I assume that you're not just taking the car on holiday to the Lake District?

With my Turbo, I find on a semi-regular basis it blows a puff of smoke on start-up. It can be after just 3 hours of sitting idle or not occur for 3 weeks. It probably averages out to 1 in 15-20 starts. I'm not fussed as I understand it's quite common... besides they're worse things in life to worry about...

Not wanting to panic you too much but given you've only owned the car four weeks you should take the car back to your OPC and ask them to perform a a cylinder compression test and cylinder camera endoscopy. This will identify a potential worst possible scenario and give you piece of mind if AOK. Minor issues can be addressed from there.

just take it back to the opc. They will do whatever is necessary to a diagnose and b) resolve the issue if there is one. Some smoke on star up is not uncommon but not huge clouds and not usually every time. If you take ot away and cant get to the opc before the weekend just keep an eye on the oil level (dipstick...in the car ,not you) but do NOT overfill it.

Both my Carrera 2 and my turbo were/are both pretty heavy smokers when started. Neither has ever had a problem to my knowledge - turbo serviced at OPC yesterday and all tickety boo.

If it is plumes of white smoke, it sounds like classic symptoms of an air/oil separator failure.

Thanks for feedback. I checked the oil today and it is slightly over the max on the stick when cold. The electronic check says full. Pressure at 3.5 when warmed up. Starts at 1200 revs and drops to around 850/900 after 3-4mins idling. I have checked the water it is not oily but I do have a bit of mayo stuff in the oil pipe which I am not worried about. I take the point about the underground car park without anywhere for the smoke to go and I could be over reacting. But it did seem a lot more smoke than normal. I spoke to OPC and they said there is nothing to worry about they car could benefit from a long run up to the lakes(with the wife of course) and to pop into the OPC in a few weeks if this continues. This sounds like fair advice and I have checked for the OPC in Kendal if I come across an issue(although I doubt the wife will be too plussed with yet another OPC afternoon :x ) . The only good thing that could come of this is that I am sure she likes the Porsche Assist loan cars more than the 911... So I will relax and enjoy the car Thanks