Smoking engine

[johnnyo]

I just purchased a 87 911 3.2 with 210000 miles which had a total rebuild 90,000 miles ago. The previous owner told me that it would smoke initially at start up then would stop. He had not started the car for over a year and when he last started it it was smoking excessively. for over 5 minutes. He sold me the car as is and I was told to run the car hard for about 10 to 15 minutes at that should clear out the smoking. I'm sure the car will need another rebuild, but was hoping. that I would be able to buy some time or wait for an eventual replacement lowerer mileage 3.2. Any insite would be appreciated.

[RANDY P]

Not uncommon for these things to puff and smoke a bit after startup. Flat 6 will do that. If it's not rattling and coming apart change the oil and take it for a good drive loaded with some good gas and a bottle of techron.

Got to get it started and run a compression and leakdown. You certain it's gonna die?

rjp

[johnnyo]

Not at all the engine runs strong, I took it around the block twice and as I said it was the first time it was started in 1.5 years and smoked up the neiborhood. I plan on bringing it to my local mechanic for a diagnosis. I have seen threads that smoking can be due to overfilled oil tank. I checked the level after running for about 4-5 minutes and it was about 1/2 inch above top fill line and I believe the car was'nt even fully hot

[MY83SC]

Definate problemo with the oil level there. Bet you are at minimum 1 quart over filled. Had a guy at one of those quicky oil change places (Brought my own filter) change the oil once. I noticed right away that the oil level was registering at the 1/2 mark at start up. I knew that it should not register at all until the motor was warm and the TSTAT began to open.
Perhaps you are lucky and you don't have that big of a problem after all.. Best of luck!

[RANDY P]

Spend the $150 or so to get it sorted out. Bet you got a much better deal than you thought

[Wayne 962]

This might help:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/mult_Engine_Rebuild/mult_engine_rebuild-1.htm

-Wayne

[nostatic]

Do an oil change (the right way) and go drive the piss out of it. Repeat as necessary. If the engine was properly rebuilt 90K miles ago, it shouldn't be due for another rebuild.

[TopsailBeach]

Yep, drive it hard, add a bottle of Techron at the last quarter of fuel, another at the next fill-up, and drive it hard all the way through the tank. Then change the oil. Never mind the split opinion on whether Techron alters oil--change it anyway. What's a $6 filter, $18 for Castrol 20/50 at Walmart and an hour in the grand scheme of things? Mine loves a hard drive, the fresh oil, and always responds.....go for it!

[toolman]

Agreed that it probably has about 2-3 extra quarts of oil which will make it smoke like hell. You might want to do a plug change too if they have been burning all that oil.

[jwmc1]

My car had the same problem, bought it from a guy who put about 2,000 miles on it over six years. It was horrible, smoked like crazy partly because the oil leaked on the exchangers and the engine was filthy. I fixed the leaks with new Gaskets, changed the oil, cleaned the eninge and drove it hard fro about 50 miles. After about two or three more times it stopped (except for acouple minutes at start up). You should not need a rebuild if it has only been 90k...best of luck

[johnnyo]

You say the oil leaked on the exchangers? Was yours leaking from the exhaust or burn off from surface oil on engine? I have had quite a few responses telling me to change oil add techron and run it hard. I'm finding that advice to be valid because it's consistant with the previous owners claim that when last started 18 months ago it only puffed a little on start up, I find it hard to believe something major could have transpired in the 18 months of sitting other than oil leaking buy and settling in and needing to be blown out and of course putting in fresh gas. I will let you all know of the outcome and all your feedback is welcome and above all really appreciated. P.s. my last Porsche from 10 years ago was a 1969 911T I can't wait to experience the difference of the larger motor of the 87 911 3.2.

[jwmc1]

The lower valve cover gaskets leaked badly onto the exchangers...they were also filthy. When the car sits that long a lot of oil will leak into the cylinders. I think an oil change and some long drives will do the trick...like I said mine was bad, but it sounds like yours may have a bit more oil burn. If you think there is too much oil in you should absolutely do an oil change first. The 101 Projects book talks you through it real well....I also noticed that my car actually ran better when the oil was closer to the minimum on the dip stick. The closer it was to max, the more it smoked...it didn't have to be above the max. Also, I would not check the oil on your until I took it for a long drive, at least 20 miles...got get it up to optimum operating temp...