Very very smokey start up

[mingmong]

Hi all,

I've just attempted to start up my 1977 2.7S. It's been sitting in the garage for about a year and half. Worked perfectly when it was parked up but today it was a start up disaster! Engine fired up without any trouble. Idled nicely around 1K, backfired a couple of times when I revved gently to pull out of the garage but goodness did it smoke! It smoked and smoked and smoked some more! Normally I'd expect a little puff and because it's been unused I'd expect a little smoke (engine's got a tiny leak over the heat exchangers so this would burn off when they warmed up) but no..this was something else. Smoke literally pouring out the exhaust. Completely filled the garage and I got lot's of concerned looks from drivers and passerby's. I let the engine idle for about 5 minutes but it just carried on smoking away, embarrassing me more and more. Revved it to 3K a couple of times too but no change there either, just more smoke Gave up in the end as I thought someone would probably call the fire brigade! What do you think this could mean? Broken piston rings? Engine rebuild o'clock? Or should I have just idled it for longer? Any suggestions greatly appreciated as always. -Mark

[billh1963]

Probably Oil leaked into the exhaust. You can either drive it until it burns out or remove the exhaust and clean it out.

There are other potential culprits, of course. However, if the car was running good when parked and still runs good now that is the most likely scenario.

[mingmong]

Thanks Bill..you've settled my mind from the shock of so much smoke! I'll try again soon and see if I can bear the dirty looks from the neighbors! -M

[gamin]

Both my 911's smoke on startup after sitting for a few days. Dissipates quickly and they run fine.
No smoke for startups on same day. I keep the oil levels half way between the high and low marks so I assume the oil seepage into the exhaust scenario is in play. I don't worry about it.

[Robert59095]

BillH -
Exactly how does oil leave the engine and fill up the exhaust during storage?
- Rob

[gomezoneill]

After a long period of sitting the oil in the lower part of the engine can seep past the rings on the pistons and collect in the combustion chamber then into the exhaust. The oil on top of the cylinder can seep past the valve stem seals causing the same issue. If you have overfilled the oil tank that too can exacerbate the problem.

[Robert59095]

Gomez O -
Don't you think hydraulic lock would occur the first time the engine turned over if this were the case?
- Rob

[billh1963]

Originally Posted by Robert59095

Gomez O -
Don't you think hydraulic lock would occur the first time the engine turned over if this were the case?
- Rob

No...this is actually well documented. People much more knowledgeable than me have discussed the issue and I recently saw a thread about it.

[Duc Hunter]

My reshly rebuilt 3.2 occasionally smokes no start up after siting for a few days. People make a check valve that closes to prevent gravity from draining oil from the oil tank into the engine when the engine it's off to prevent this. Some people donor like the idea of this thoug, they fear the valve getting stuck closed and cutting off supply of oil to your engine.

It's simply a querk of these cars. If it starts happening badly, after every start....once you get the current oil slick cleaned out....then it old be tower things. I say take I for a drive, and drive it until it stops smoking. Highway would be great.

[gazzerr]

Mine sat for 8 months and smoked like crazy for about 10 mins. Completely fine now.

[porsche930dude]

take it out at night if you dont want dirty looks. Me I like the attention lol

[gomezoneill]

Originally Posted by Robert59095

Gomez O -
Don't you think hydraulic lock would occur the first time the engine turned over if this were the case?
- Rob

Good question but we're talking about a couple of mill's of oil in maybe two or three cylinders.

[Derek911]

Try an oil check valve like the one from
Rothsport. Eliminates oil migration from cars that sit a long time. Sold on Pelican as well.

Welcome to Rothsport Racing

[Bulldog9]

My XS11 motorcycle does this because of a bad exhaust valve seal/stem. Go for a drive, if it is oil that settled through the valve stems, or rings while sitting, it will burn off in 5-10 minutes of driving. If it still smokes, likely a broken oil ring, or valve stem/seal. Is your oil level right?

[mingmong]

Thanks for your advice everyone. Just started it up again today. Smoked a little to start but no where near as badly as before. Idled smoothly for 20mins and then no more smoke. Oil pressure good and level correct. Revved smoothly to 5K with no backfiring. Forgotten how lovely these engines sound! Now comes the next part...new headliner install and stereo backdate. Looking forward to it!

[scarceller]

How full is the oil level? At idle fully warm check the dip stick, if it's in the 1/2 to full area I suggest taking out a tad of oil. I found that running these cars at 1/4 full on the dip stick tends to keep the intake cleaner.

[Duc Hunter]

I reiterate.....just needs an "Italian Tune-Up" out on the freeway.

[sugarwood]

Take it out for a drive!

[scarceller]

Check the breather pipe from the oil tank to the Air Box, how dirty (oily) is it at the air box end? Did any oil get into the air box?

[realgren]

Start it and drive it. Don't let it sit in your driveway