Smoke from exhaust

[DennisRH]

Hi Guys and Gals,

Hopefully someone can give me some insight. My 1985 911 Carrera never smokes. I checked the oil yesterday and the dip stick did not even register any oil on it. The car was cold when I checked, and the car was on a level surface. I turned the ignition key and the oil level indicator was not indicating low, and when I started the car both the pressure and level seemed to be ok. Level was a little low, but not outside parameters.

I decided to put about 2.5 quarts of oil in it, and now when I start it up, it smokes. Any ideas? If I shut the car off and then restart it, it seems to run ok for about thirty seconds, then it starts puffing smoke again. It never did this before I put this oil in it. Any suggestions?

[Milo2361]

to check the oil the car has to be at operating temperature and sitting idle on a level surface for about a minute... you probably over-filled!

[robhamster]

You put too much oil in and it is being pulled into the air intake. When I put too much in mine (I have done twice) I really see it if I brake hard. I could hide a battleship with the amount of smoke that came out when I braked hard with too much oil.

The advice all here will give you is that you need to check the oil when the car is idling and at operating temperature and, of course, on a level surface. I would suggest draining some of the oil out or your tank and slowly add back checking the level often. I have found in the 15 years I have owned my '84 that the oil level guage on the dash is just occupying space and rarely offers accurate information.

[DennisRH]

If I overfilled it, can I still run the car without damaging it, or should I drain it out? I cant imagine that I overfilled it very much since I only put 2.5 quarts in. Also, is it common for the dip stick to show No oil when the car is cold?

[brd]

Hi,
This tread is rather topical for me too... I think I made the beginners mistake.
But when I try to check the oil, the engine cuts out. How do I get around this?
I believe its known ... but is warming it, clean dip stick.. restart... run for a few secs to get the level and then check again ok?

Thanks,
brd.

[87coupe]

Just to add a note here, for those of us with oil coolers, "operating temperature" means once the thermostat has opened and oil is flowing through the cooler. At least that is what I was told...

[w21055]

Originally Posted by DennisRH

If I overfilled it, can I still run the car without damaging it, or should I drain it out? I cant imagine that I overfilled it very much since I only put 2.5 quarts in. Also, is it common for the dip stick to show No oil when the car is cold?

Mine usually shows some oil, but I only check when it is warm.

You in PTC GA? If so good to see another local pelican on line.

[E Sully]

brd,
There should be a restrictor in the oil tank vent line. What engine do you have? Opening the oil cap creates a vacuem leak. This changes the idle.
DennisRH,
Showing no oil when cold is not unusual. 2.5 quarts over is quite a bit. You will be sucking oil into the intake. Gums up the intake, valves, etc. Never fill past the halfway mark on the dipstick when the engine is fully warmed up and idling.

[dicklague]

I would drain off a couple quarts of oil and warm the car up and then check the level in the tank properly. If you have an oil cooler, feel the line to be sure the thermostat is open and hot oil is flowing to front cooler.

[kodioneill]

Whatever you do don't drive the car with too much oil in it, foaming will result and could cause damage. The engine shoud be at running temperature and the level on the stick should be just touching the bottom line.

[DennisRH]

I just joined the PCA!

[brd]

@ E Sully:
It's a 3.0 SC engine (fitted to a 1970T). I looked in the Porsche parts catalogue PDF file to see the parts associated with this restrictor ... I found: 930 107 289 00 ... that what you mean?

Thanks,
brd

[E Sully]

Yes. It should be inside the breather hose.