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YOUR RESEARCHBig Puffy Cloud of Smoke
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Fill parking garage at the theater
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I once filled a parking garage at the theater with white smoke.
Leading evidence: 'Fill parking garage at the theater' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check oil level; it may be too high' (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.
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I've heard of a few people who have replaced the AOS DIY, but be prepared for some awkward labor.
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The car used no oil between 5k mile changes over a 6 year period.
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So last nght after watching Star Trek - started up the car and big white puff of smoke billowed out. As in holy crap look at that smoke kind of volume. No smoking while driving, pressures great, temps great. Got home nothing visbile. Small puff of smoke this morning but really truly a small "waft". Waiting to see what happens tonight on startup for commute home.
What should i be buying to replace right now?
a bit of smoke is normal, as long as its oil being burned.. how did you drive the car before you parked it? my car used to smoke a bit after DEs, AutoCrossing or spirited driving because the Oil Separator was letting a bit of oil into the intake. The only solution for that is to upgrade to a better oil separator, Porsche sells one.
Oil level is optimal.
This was definitely not a normal amount of smoke. I drive it every single day and it was a slightly spirited drive out to the theater but nothing out of the ordinary. What kind of cost/hassle will it be to do it myself. Have a bitchin set of tools already
Bill, I get this often at DEs - probably nothing to worry about. If there is a problem, it may be with your air/oil separator. Knowing your aptitude with tools, that's a job you could knock out yourself.
yeah it has happened to me at VIR a couple times. Still scares the bejesus out of me. So i will look up the costs on this air/oil separator and get that oredered up.
I paid $94 for the OAS when I replaced mine. Labor was about 8hrs on the Tip.
I've heard of a few people who have replaced the AOS DIY, but be prepared for some awkward labor.
Cosmos thanks for the confirmation on cost. As for the labor, thats okay - I have done the expansion tank already and am well versed in the various curse words needed. Plus I have done a ton of different jobs on cars in the past so not worried at all. Think i will partial drop the motor to get batter access. Only two bolts.
After a spirited drive, such as what you might do on track, let the car idle for a good 5 minutes before turning it off. That's usually enough to settle everything and mitigate/eliminate white smoke upon next startup.
Took my 2002 to the track and it performed flawlessly, but when I started it up before the next session it would smoke something fierce. I sold the car before I could bottom out the issue. We'll see how my next one behaves. It had a new motor installed in Feb 2005.
My air cooled 911 would puff every once in a while. Never any consistent condition or reason why except it always did this in front of a crowd. I once filled a parking garage at the theater with white smoke. The car used no oil between 5k mile changes over a 6 year period. My current 996 puffs once in a while but not very often. It also uses no oil between 5k changes. If the puff is only occasional, I would not worry too much
Whenever i have a fresh oil change (oil level at max), and i run the car hard...especially at DE's, mine smokes like a Cheech and Chong movie! The first time, i was flipping out. After that, i simply let the car idle for 8-10 minutes after a hard run and the smoke is reduced to nil. When the oil level is one or two notches from the top, this doesn't happen...it's only when the oil level is maxxed. If your situation is the same, i wouldn't worry too much. I've had a 30K and 45K service since the first time it did this and there is nothing wrong.
Just FYI is you decide to replace the AOS dont get the stock one ($95) get the motorsports one, its a 2 chamber Sport oil separator. (p/n 996 107 926 00) List price: $518
This part looks like the stock oil separator, except it is 3x bigger and has 2 chambers that allows oil to be more completely ‘separated’ from the vent tube fumes.
Good luck
Well it is a little late for that as the stock style one will be delivered today. $518 seems a little stiff at the moment anyway. What exactly goes bad on these things?
I dont think you need a motorsport OAS unless you are pulling serious G's at the track.... the internals of the stock AOS has a tendency to fail over time... the diaphragm deteriorates.
Well I do reach the limits of street tires pretty much right away having done DE's and racing for about 17 years. I usually just tone it back a bit to keep my daily driver shiny side up
Next event is Road Atlanta 4th of July weekend. Three days!!!
Do like to keep ahead of all maintenance and prefer to replace prior to failure if indicators are smacking me in the face. 996 has never left me stranded yet.
Thanks for the info. I think I'll do this when I get my clutch done next year.
I've always had the puff of smoke after driving it hard. I find that if I let it idle for 5-10 min after a DE session that it doesn't smoke but if I just turn off the car it will always smoke up.
My mechanic said unless it is always smoking even at idle then there isn't a problem.
I looked into this recently, since my car puffs quite a bit at the track. I actually bought the part. However, this is a lot more involved than a bolt-in replacement. After consultation with my indy (who had a lot of experience with cup cars and racing 996's), I decided not to do it since the level of fabrication would be too costly.
Before purchasing this part, I tried to find a 996 owner who actually had done this mod. While several people recommended it, I couldn't find anyone who had actually done it. I did speak with a Cayman S owner who had completed the mod and confirmed that it was quite involved but had the desired effect at the track.
I never got the part either, you do have to modify some things to make it fit properly. I decided to solve the issue by selling the C2 and getting a TT, no more AOS issues to report so far
which side are you going in from (tranny or airbox?)
I did mine from the airbox side... not bad, a friend did his from the tranny side. Seemed easier - if you go from the airbox side order a set of intake gaskets.... you dont want to re-use those in my opinion and the local dealer will hit you up for ~$40 if you walk in the door.... also might want to get one of those hole clamp spring tools from sears, (~$30 IIRC) and that will make putting those damn hoses back on possible (I replaced mine as there was just no way I could get the stock ones back on)
GL
Did not know there were multiple approaches. Was going to review the manual (porsche service CD) to see what they suggested, but are there some decent links that show the two variations?
hoses?.... I think he is talking about the rubber bellows that attaches the aos and crank vent together... they use spring clamps and is a b!tch to put back on w/o the right tool. Sears sells them....
BTW... from what I understand... you cant buy the motorsport AOS from a dealer... you have to talk to a race shop (for Grand Am).
