Blue smoke on startup sometimes

[janz]

Sometimes after sitting for a while (a week or more) my 86 911 will smoke on startup and sometimes not a hint of blue smoke. After driving and it doesn't matter how long or short it sometimes smokes at startup and sometimes non at all. When it does smoke it clears within 5-10 seconds. Is this normal? Oil consumpsion is less than a quart every 1,000 miles. Making me crazy thinking its time for engine work, but it starts right up, runs great, strong and idles very nice. Car has 144,000 but have no records before 141,000. Engine is clean and looks to have been worked on/clean with no leaks. I suppose I'll hear about the leak down tests but it just runs so good i don't want to jinx it. BTW theres no valve noise either (lifter noise). I have changed oil and filter, fuel filter, new plugs, cap and rotor, air filter, tranny fluid and brake fluid when I got it. When I check the oil after engine is warm/hot it reads right in between the lines durring idle. Idle does change when I remove the oil filler cap.

[gregwils]

My '86 smokes 'sometimes' on start up too. Typically, it's associated with how long it sat prior to running last. Unfortunately, my consumption is closer to 1 quart per 450 to 500 miles. I have a valve guide, and possibly ring, project in my near future.

My understanding is that brief smoke at start-up is an common attribute of boxer engines. I would let consumption be your guide. At 1,000 miles per quart, you have no related worries. There are many people that use more oil than you after a rebuild.

[Tsunamiboy]

Let your Porsche run at idle for a short while before shutting off. I believe it makes a difference in the puff factor.

[old man neri]

What weight of oil are you using?

[Steve@Rennsport]

I would not be concerned until oil consumption reaches 800 miles/qt.

[janz]

Using 10w 40w castrol gtx

[craigyirush]

I wouldn't worry too much about it.
If you see smoke on acceleration or deceleration then you might have a problem.

I have an '86 with 204K on it. I use a worrying 6-700 miles/quart yet it NEVER smokes on start-up nor when I drive it hard. It has good power, etc.

Go figure.

[Joe Bob]

Welcome to the club.....run the oil a bit low and avoid steep driveways unless you have an incredible cool factor and can survive the subsequent oil fog from the tail pipe.

BTDT

[janz]

Was sorta hoping that would be the case but just wanted to check and see what others were experiencing. Good news to me that I can wait another year before i tear into the engine. Got some other small issues to deal with first but have been knocking them off pretty good. really do love driving my 911 to bad there were'nt more nice days up here in New England. Thanks to all who took the time to answer.