Help please...New Porsche Owner

[cdemming]

I am new to owning a Porsche and things so far are not good. This is my second week with the car (911 1986 Porsche Carrera) and upon driving the car home today white-blue smoke cam pouring out of the exhaust. Not in the engine compartment just out of the exhaust. I believe that oil has found itself into the pistons or some other issue and need some help from veterans like yourselves tell assist me in what I should look for, do and ultimate bad news. I imagine the engine needs to be dropped and worked on and what does the average cost on this run? Any helpful suggestions?

[moazam]

This could be nothing so don't worry too much just yet.

How many miles on the car? Did you get a compression check done on the car, or general PPI (pre-purchase inspection)?

[nostatic]

miles on the engine? Did it do anything else? Was it right after startup, or was the car warm? Did the smoke stop after a few seconds, or keep smoking until you shut it down?

[moazam]

Read this thread here, it should give you alot of good info. Ruf-Porsche and Early_S_Man both have some good replies in there.

As per ruf-porsche in the other thread:

White/blue smoke?

ruf-porsche:

"White smoke usually condensation (Water Vapor in the engine).
Blue smoke oil burning.
You didn't ask but black smoke too much gas in the mixture.

You can check the oil to see if it is over filled. Run the engine until it is at operating temperature, park the car on a level surface and with the engine still running pull the dipstick from the oil tank. The oil level should be between the two marks on the dipstick. If the oil level is above the top mark, the engine has too much oil in it."

[Rot 911]

This has all the signs of the new 911 owner oil overfilling syndrome. Did you or someone else happen to add oil lately?

[vash]

answers to nostatic's questions would really help. my car sat for years and it blew smoke so bad that it almost covered my house. but it sat for years! i guess we need more information...

[cdemming]

The car was running previous to this happening but it did a little the day before which I passed off as thinking this was normal. The car has 115k miles on it and I just had the oil changed 2 days prior but nothing happened after that. I shut the car down immediately when this happened and let it sit for about 1/2 hour and then started again and it was worse. This being my first Porsche ever has scared me quite a bit. So I should check the oil if it's to full and let some out? I did check the oil after they did it and it registered right at the low point when the car was cool.

[moazam]

Originally posted by cdemming
I did check the oil after they did it and it registered right at the low point when the car was cool.

You have to check the oil when the car is at operating temperature and on level ground. Sounds like this is just a bit too much oil in your system...

[Rot 911]

You didn't happen to be doing any spirited driving or quick stops before the smoking incident? I am still going with oil tank overfilled. Oil got sucked into the intake.

[Jim Sims]

Check oil with car warmed to operating temperature, idling and on a level surface. Oil level should be mid-way between the marks on the dipstick; drain some out if it's too high. Don't get the rag or body parts caught in the fan or belts. Don't drop the dipstick into the tank. Cheers, Jim

[cdemming]

I did take it on the highway but was not racing it or running hard just standard highway speed. I pulled up to a construction stop and sat for about 5-10 minutes and then when I started off again it started. I pulled over and then sat as reply posted before. The car also has a high pitch sound coming from somewhere whcih I attributed to the smoke.

[Mike Feinstein]

I'd bet money it's overfilled. Now...about letting some out...

Should we tell him what happens when he removes the drain plug from the oil tank to "let a little out"? Or should we let him find out like the rest of us?

Seriously....you might want to siphon out about 2 quarts. I believe you'll need to clean your airbox and intake also...others with experience in this will fill in the blanks. Fortunately, overfilling is the one faux paux I haven't yet done...only a matter of time though.

Welcome to the club!

[Jim Sims]

Does the high pitch sound vary with engine speed? Jim

[cdemming]

Thanks alot gentleman I appreciate your help with this. Hopeful it's just that the mechanics put to much oil into it. One more question while I have you folks assisting with my question. When the car was up I looked underneath and the bracket connecting the sway bar was broken off (like it was sheared off but not recently) and was loooking at this site for parts but don't know what I need. I know I need bushings but do I need the bracket or should I get the whole assembly as it looks like I can weld some metal for the new connection? You replies would be most appreciative. Thanks

[Mike Feinstein]

You either need to have the sway bar mount rewelded, or buy a replacement from our host and have it welded on. It's a common problem.

[cdemming]

In reagrds to the high pitch it sounded the entire time I was driving it home and did not stop even when I stopped at a light. This car (which I still love has been nothing but draining my pocket. The clutch went out when I was driving it home, the spark plug wires were showing and the brakes are bad. I replaced the wires, plugs, distributor cap, rotor and after many brusied and scared knuckles I know now you gouys are a harty bunch to work on your cars Makes me think that 12k was to much even though the body is mint.

[Jim Sims]

Some additional important points:

Never run without the engine cooling fan working; if the fan belt breaks (dash alternator light will come on) pull over immediately and turn off engine.

Never disconnect the battery with the engine running.

Do not reset the trip odometer while the car is moving.

Pause briefly in neutral between gears when you shift; do not speed shift. Do not down shift into first unless you are going quite slowly.

Never replace a blown fuse with one of a higher value.

Cheers, Jim

[Jim Sims]

But does the pitch vary (go up and down) with the engine speed?
Does it change when you push in the clutch to shift? Jim

[vash]

on a good note; there are at least TWO very resourceful 911 guys that frequent this board and live in your area. i bet you that they will sound in soon. you need to buy some books. when i change my oil, i only go with around 10 quarts, and the final two i add when the car is up to temp and i am checking the level. have fun taking some oil out, you may as well start over. go and get a big drain pan and a new case of 20-50 oil. cheers, welcome to the pocket draining club! oh yea, post a picture of your car, or no more help!

[cdemming]

Thanks Jim Sims for those important points I didn't know those though I did experience the 1st gear thing after the clutch was replaced. Anthing else you guys can tell a NEWBY to the Porsche world? And the high pitched noise any other thoughts on that next pocket gasher?