Large cloud upon start-up
 

I went to look at an early 911 with a 2.2L engine with Webers on it recently that I quite liked. The owner warned me that the car had been sitting for a few weeks since he last drove it and it would puff at start-up. I wasn't worried, they all pool oil in their cylinders after sitting for awhile. The car did smoke initially but stopped shortly thereafter. No big deal.

What did concern me was that we went for a long drive (about 20 minutes) and got the car nicely warmed up and then brought it back to his house and shut it off. We discussed the car for about 15 minutes and then I was off. I waited for him to restart the car to move it into his garage and again it emitted a really large cloud of white-ish smoke upon start-up. That worries me as the car was only sitting for 15-20 minutes tops and none of my past opposed engined cars have ever done that.

The engine was rebuilt and has maybe a few thousand miles on it so what could the issue be?

normal if sitting

I wish I could predict when mine will "puff". Many times it doesn't upon startup; however, if I take it on a very short drive and it doesn't get warmed up, often times the next startup will smoke quite a bit. I've simply grown to ignore it. And, if I may say so, even embrace it.

Remember all those films of the race cars from the 50's, 62's and 70's? They all smoked, spewed oil etc., and no one seemed to really get too uptight about it. I had my engine rebuilt and it still smokes at times - and I've read at least a hundred threads on this subject. I guess what they say is what I have come to believe - they all smoke some.

You can chalk it up to the oil tank (dry sump) higher than the engine. Or, many say the air cooled engine operates over greater temperature swings, and as such is built with expansion/contraction in mind and thus more opportunities for oil to get into the combustion chambers.

And don't EVEN get me started on leaks. Someone once asked me if I knew why the Germans never manufactured computers...They couldn't figure out how to make them leak oil :)

My $.02.

Valve guides.

Get a PPI

That was easy.

Pre Purchase Inspection.......ALWAYS!

Read the entire thread. Normal yes, if sitting overnight. Not normal if it has only been sitting 20 minutes.

kurt - you should read the entire thread! - "the car had been sitting for a few weeks"

what makes you think ALL the oil was blown off in the short drive??

the PPI will reveal any real problems

Same thing happens to my 911E.

(Bought it at 68,000+. Now have 110,000+.)

And if you find a car with an engine as good as mine -- buy it. SmileWavy

PPI + Knowledgable Wrench = Peace of Mind :)

I agree that I never know when mine will will smoke. Sitting it doesnt really smoke, but after short drives to the store or something it will puff a little. Maybe once in 50 and so little I barely notice it. But the Horizontlay opposed engines just do it.

I would think 20 minutes would be sufficient.......? mmmm,..... I'm w/ Kurt V,...not normal.

,..then, again, I could be totally wrong here. I'd be uncomfortable until things are looked at.....as RWebb suggested: things will be revealed upon thorough PPI.....whatever you do, don't skimp on this. Especially, in light of present symptoms.

Otherwise,...it needs to be driven' a lot over a few days,....maybe different then? Dunno...

........The word (acronym) for the day: PPI.

Best,

Doyle

The colour of the smoke may be a clue bluish = oil white = water. I get the same when the car's been sitting especially if there wasn't much gas in the tank. Ottawa is getting cool nights now.
just my .02

Shouldnt be getting white smoke in an air cooled car......no offence red, just clarifying.

I spent hours at high speed burning off an oil leak inside my SSIs recently.

20 min. - ?? maybe enuff maybe not

PPI!

Thanks for all of the replies!

I would certainly get the car checked out if it became my number one choice but I thought there'd be no harm in putting my question out there. My last 911 was a 75 911S with a "gone over" 2.7 and it never puffed at start-up even after sitting over night. I did drive that car daily though (on the west coast) so it always got sufficiently warmed up and never sat for more than 12 hours at a time. This 72 911T (with the original engine but was rebuilt with 2.2 barrels and pistons) puffed a cloud that practically obscured the car from behind when the owner moved it into his garage after our drive. He admitted to only driving the car 200kms a year or so which isn't enough for the good health of the car... it's also the reason he's selling it.

IMO it should not smoke that much - a cloud that you can't see through - if sitting for 20' or so...

Gents, something to check. My 911 used to occasionally puff too. I found that if I let the engine idle for about 10-20 seconds after coming to a stop before turning off the key, that I would NOT get the puff. But if I turn the key off as soon as I stopped that I'd often get a puff.

You still may want to check the compression and leakdown numbers.

I think the logic here is sound - you are theoretically pumping the oil out of the sump and back into the tank. I tried this for a while but ultimately I couldn't swear it was any different. What is there to keep the oil in the tank? I've heard of check valves but I don't think there truly are any. Am I wrong?

Not a Motor Meister rebuild was it ??? :rolleyes:

Um, VALVE GUIDES! :)

you will never know w/o a ppi