13 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHwhite smoke..not at startup
Reported or suspected cause
headgasket leak
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Identified cause
1
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause
Well, you're burning coolant, probably a headgasket leak.
Leading evidence: 'headgasket leak' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'headgasket leak' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check coolain' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
Also, if you were running a supercharger with a lot of boost that could also blow a headgasket, but I doubt you are.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
Get a headgasket leak test kit (there are expensive PITA ones for the pros that check if it's holding pressure, all you need are these ones that are just pH strips, if you have coolant getting into the exhaust you have exhaust getting into the coolant, and it will make the coolant more acidic.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
Get a headgasket leak test kit (there are expensive PITA ones for the pros that check if it's holding pressure, all you need are these ones that are just pH strips, if you have coolant getting into the exhaust you have exhaust getting into the coolant, and it will make the coolant more acidic.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
13 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
1 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
I am the proud owner of a 1999 Carrera w/33000 miles. Just got it last Friday and am concerned. As I was coming up the on ramp to I-40 I was at 75MPH in 3rd and looked behind to see white smoke. Oil pressure was good and temp was ok. What could cause this????
You guys are great.
Well, you're burning coolant, probably a headgasket leak. Get a headgasket leak test kit (there are expensive PITA ones for the pros that check if it's holding pressure, all you need are these ones that are just pH strips, if you have coolant getting into the exhaust you have exhaust getting into the coolant, and it will make the coolant more acidic. A well stocked NAPA should have these).
Richard
Actually, it's a 99...IIRC that year has a tendency to go porous and the block lets coolant in...if that's what's causing this you might be able to get Porsche to comp some of this with enough nagging. If it is the headgasket, it's simply bad luck. Also though, 33000 miles in 7 years, that's low enough that I wonder how frequently the guy drove it. You really should drive a car once a week or so to keep everything in shape. Also, if you were running a supercharger with a lot of boost that could also blow a headgasket, but I doubt you are.
Hmm, that sounds scary. I also have a 99 which needed a new motor without warning last Christmas. While mine never smoked, it just failed one day while starting.
I would get the PH kit mentioned above - I didn't know anything like that was available. A tell tale sign is coolant in the oil.
As far as the headgasket, according to my mechanic who rebuilt my motor, the head gasket is almost never the problem. In the 99 it is the pourous block, or the failed cylinder #1 on the left side of the block. Either way I would get it to a mechanic to check it out QUICKLY - you may need to trade it in to a Toyota dealer FAST.
Sorry you are having such problems with your new car - other than that, are you enjoying the experience?
FYI - mine had just 53000 miles when it died, and as for getting money out of PCNA, GOOD LUCK!
Thanks guys for the info. All of you are full of great info. Yes I am enjoying the car. I had a 1998 Boxster before this one and have decided I will always own a Porsche. I hope this one doesn't change my mind. I paid top dollar 35k and don't feel as though I should be having any problems. Off to the mechanic we go. I have also seen a small amount of coolant ont the garage floor the next AM after driving the vehicle.
Thanks,
John
...I have also seen a small amount of coolant ont the garage floor ...
hope u just have to replace the coolain reservor.
good luck and let us know what happen.
I talked to the mechanic and he said the coolain reservoir was leaking. I changed the oil and filter and think this will fix any problems. He said the vehicle is in great shape. Seems to think the smoke could be from oil needing to be changed and just sitting up. Great board with great responses.
From the first car 1 yr ago (1998 Boxster) I have told myself I will always own a Porsche. Nothing compares.
Thanks,
John
