2006 C2S 34,300 miles, CPO purchased in December 2012. Only drive Once every 10 days or so. When I start it after sitting, I get white smoke out the exhaust for a second or two. After car is running or restarted no smoke until it sits another 10 days. Yes I could drive it more, but I'm more interested in what it could be. Dealership said not to worry, "some 997 smoke". Any ideas? I just have service 350 miles ago (March 2013).

 

"normal". meaning, a lot of cars have that issue, and a lot dont. nothing is wrong tho. mine smokes like a chimney - but only on track days - on startup after a hard run. never smokes from street driving. it's been doing that for years and still running strong.

 

IMHO any smoke coming out of the exhaust is not 'normal'

on the flat-6 engine, i've encountered white smoke coming out of the exhaust only once. It happened when the valet (no choice at this hotel) parked my car on an incline. When it was re-started, there was a lot of white (with hint of blue) coming out of the rear, even filling the engine bay.

if this happens regularly, however, it might suggest an oil leak (white-bluish smoke) if it only happens on start-up (worn valve stem seal or piston ring ?)

or a coolant leak somewhere if it continues after start-up.

Don't let me scare u since its prob not catastrophic.. but i would still get a second opinion, since ur car is under CPO warranty.

keep us posted

 

Common occurrence on many P-cars after sitting a while. In itself, and with no other apparent related issues, nothing to be too concerned about. Although I've not seen this on 911's, my wife's first Boxster (2004) used to do it at start up on occasion during the entire five years she owned it with no other problems at all. Our current 997.1 has not had this and neither did our last "09 Boxster S.

I had a BMW K1200GT motorcycle until last August, when I got some sense and sold it before some cellphone distracted teenager killed me. The heads on that model are all on the left side, and when the bike was parked using the side stand for more than a couple days, the thing would almost smoke me out of the garage from the oil burning at start up from accumulating in the cylinder heads. I got on a couple forums and received the same reply that it was "normal" for the engines on those to smoke. I suppose it's sort of the same for our boxer engines. I wonder if Subaru cars smoke as well....

 

Normal as long as it lasts a sec or so. I have had a boxster, a C4 Cab and a Turbo and all 3 have done this without any mechanical issues.

Regards,

Bazi

 

On an 06 car I'd be concered . Are the exhaust tips evenly dark or is one more dark than the other ?

 

Normal for boxer engines.

 

maybe you should post a picture of that smoke.
mine smoke too on cold days... like any cars...

 

If it was my car I'd change the oil, cut open the used oil filter for visual inspection of metal shavings, and send an oil sample out for analysis. If the analysis came back with anything funny the CPO would cover the expensive repair.

Pretty cheap peace of mind this way.

 

Tips are evenly tinted with normal grime. I just had the oil changed 350 miles ago. I will change it again and inspect the filter. The Dealership was warned of this when it was in, they didn't seem concerned. The tech came out and talked to me in broken English (70's Team Porsche Driver) said the car was in great shape. Did tell me the only thing he could see wrong was that it was to clean, then gave me a very strange laugh! Personally, The smoke bothers me... Thanks for the feedback. I will take a photo or two and let you all know how things turn out.

 

I wouldn't bother with the oil change if your previous change was only 350 miles ago. Chances are it's not going to tell you anything. Next change I would do oil analysis

Before CPO expires you should pay to change the spark plugs. While they're out you can have them scope the cylinders for scoring, generally it's a bank two issue. Caveat... I gave similar advice once and the guy scoped it and it was clean.

Edit... For the record my car smoked once. Had been driven, then parked *** down on a hill while I washed it. Fired it up and big white smoke. Never happened again. I also stopped washing on a hill after a drive.

 

My driveway is sloped, twice after parking it overnight with the rear downslope, it smoked upon start. I freaked, went to he dealer and told me this was normal for all the reasons previously discussed. Never happens any other time. Car has 47k on the clock.

 

My 09 C2S smoked a few times and my 11 GTS has smoked once. As nearly as I can recall all of the Porsches I have owned have smoked at one time or another.

 

Tonight was date night with the wife. Got out my camera, set it up to take a smokey photo and tuned the key!!! NO smoke... I have no idea. So I'll just keep my eye on this myth of my smokey 997. I started and stopped four or five times tonight and NO smoke. Thank you for all your input.

 

Mine was smoking like a chimney after startup after a hard run like yours and blew. Here is the link to my post on the matter. https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...ml#post3397044 Scroll up to post 57

At the time, I was told a failed cylinder liner caused the problem. In my opinion, after a lot of research, mine blew from a scored piston liner. Under high piston cylinder loads and high lateral g's the M96/M97 engines can starve for oil, overheat a piston and cylinder liner and seize. I have seen more than one 997.1 and Boxter blow on the same corner mine blew on. You can find plenty of info on this on the net.

Spiffyjiff you should be worried if it is "smoking like a chimney between runs". Mine did the exact same thing. Ran strong right up till it let go.