Went to first DE today and a car problem arose

Ok, first things first, I attended the Mardi Gras region DE today and had a blast. This group puts on a great and well organized event. The crew working the event and the instructors did a great job of making sure us "newbies" learned a thing or two about our cars and our ability to pilot them around a racetrack. My in-car instructor, Gary, really helped me dial in the right line and kept me zipping around the track. Now here's where things got funky (this part's long because of the details): My car ('02 C2) ran fine through the first session. After the track session, there was another classroom session. Following that another track session. When I started my car for the second session, it exhaled blue smoke like a freight train upon start-up and for about 15-20 seconds after that. Everything else seemed fine - oil level, pressure, eng temp, no weird noises, etc. I got on to the track and as I accelerated hard out of a right turn through 3rd gear on the long straight, it spewed a big burst of smoke again just before shifting at about 6500RPM. I slowed my pace a bit and everything still seemed fine. 2 laps later, it did it again after another hard right and high rev accel. From this point I got off the track and let the car idle in the pit and there was no smoke at idle or revving. After the car sat and cooled a bit, I checked to oil level. The level was one notch below the top mark. From here, I started the car and it smoked relentlessly at first and then continuously (albeit mildly). Again, no weird gauge readings or noises. The smoke came from both pipes. I didn't run it on the track anymore and then drove home on the Interstate. No smoke at all on the ride home (70-90mph hwy cruise) and it didn't smoke again after I let it cool once I got home. What the hell happened? I just had a 30K service done at the dealer on Tuesday and everything seemed fine since up until the smoke started. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated - so far I've heard "too much oil" and "oil/air separater" problem. On a related note, a C4S started to smoke in a similar way at the end of the day. Obviously, this isn't normal, but what would cause this?

First of all you're not alone as alot of 996's do this and with no apparent harm or continuing problem. I have been told by expert Porsche mechanics that it is due to hard right hand turns and the configuration of internal oil baffels in the 996 engine. So perhaps you have no problem to worry about.

I believe it's a simple case your your oil level being too high. I encountered the converse of this when I got my oil changed last time. I noticed that the Ruf center didn't fill my oil all the way to the max. They only filled it to the top line - with one or two bars left. I was actually a little peeved thinking that I didn't get the extra oil like from the dealer. I was a little embarrassed at my own ignorance when I found out that if your oil level is too high, when you take hard corners, oil can spill over and you'll spew smoke. Turns out that the Ruf shop knew this, and prevented me from smoking on the track... [I think I found the information here on Rennlist after a quick search.] Here is one link: https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...overfill+smoke -td

I've learned that if you are doing hard turns and accelerations, especially on the track, make sure your oil level is not at max. I had the same problem when I first got the car and was all full of enthusiasm, Scared the crap out of me coz' I was really pushing the car at the time it happened. Asked the question here and at renntech, got some reassurances, and advice about the oil level. Eversince I kept my oil below max, I've never had that infamous smoking tail.

It happened to me too. I wouldn't worry too much about it as long as the smoke goes away after a few minutes (oil burns off)

Overfill from your oil change sounds like the likely culprit.

Yup happened to me quite a few times. I always have my oil level near or at the very top bar and it only happens after some hard turns.

Hey TBH 996...this is "AHVTRZN" the C4S that was smoking yesterday...I forgot to mention to you at my 1st DE a year ago..I got some smoke. My oil level was high at that event. Hasn't happened in 5 other track events until yesterday and as you might expect....It was overfilled... hope you had fun and see you next time. Great looking car, btw.

I attend DE events organized by our local dealer (Pfaff Porsche, Toronto). The Pfaff service guys are always in attendance and they advise letting the motor idle for 5 minutes or so after each session...this apparently helps with both proper cool down and oil smoke issues on restart. They also advise no handbrake use after lapping session. Hope this helps

Thanks everyone, for a while there I thought the dealer installed the '007' smoke screen option to ward off tailgaters! The car ran fine today and isn't smoking at all. Hey, AHVTRZN, thanks for the input as well. I think I have a few shots and a short vid of your car on the track. Email me and I'll send them to you. - [email removed]

hmmmmmm learn something new evertime i am in this forum..... gota love it.....

Been there, done that. As others have said it should not be a problem. Don't fill it to the top with oil and you should be ok. I was.

I had an 2002 Carrera that did the same thing. I left a 3 day track event after the first day and by the time I got 1/4 way home the smoke was gone. Later I was reassured by my mechanic it was normal when the car is making hard turns. I was too p?ssed to drive the 200 miles back to the track but was fortunate enough to get 2 days credit towards future dates. Now I know to at least let the car settle for a hour or two before heading out. Also, the advise to let the car idle for 5 minutes apparently works well.

Thanks. I learned something today.

I've always found the "gauge" reads low, even when the dipstick indicates full capacity.