Too Much Smoke on Start?

[Chris_1983]

Hello,

I have a deposit on a 1977 911S and scheduling a PPI this week. Dealer loaded a video of a cold start and theres a pretty large puff of smoke. I don’t recall my SC’s doing that. Normal or issues?

https://youtu.be/q5u_BsIHsD4

[rowingone]

I think it is normal . .have a compression and leak down done to make sure. My 1972 does that . . more so if it has been sitting for a few weeks.

[Winter]

My ‘76 does that (maybe not quite as much, but close to it) when it has been sitting and it’s cold(er) outside. My old ratty ‘75 was worse, and probably needed a valve job but I sold it before it got real bad. I’d use the “puff of smoke on start up” as a data point, but only that. As Rowingone says, get compression and leak-down. That will be a bit more information to throw into the mixer.

Best of luck with your purchase.

[Chris_1983]

Thank you!

[Schulisco]

To me it looks more likely to grey/white smoke which leads me to suppose that old detoriated fuel is the reason for that due it's most likely containing a low percentage of ethanol. Ethanol attracts water as well the fuel fell apart from its components over time. Especially the fuel in the small fuel injection lines coming from the fuel distributor. This also explains why this first puff disappears when "fresh" fuel coming out of the tank. My SC showed the same puff when sitting longer than half a year. Now barely seen this since I started using a fuel stabilizer on every fillup. Those fuel stabilizers should be used first and foremost on CIS cars imo.

Thomas

[brighton911]

I wouldn't have any issue with that. I agree with Schulisco that it looks more like condensate than oil burning smoke.

[PeteKz]

Agree with the others and do a leakdown test. That does not look like anything to be concerned about. I'll say the same thing I say to others who are restarting older cars after they have been sitting for months or more: Pour a bottle of Chevron Techron Concentrate in a tank of quality fresh gas and go drive the snot out of it. Burn off any crap in the engine or fuel system.

Then drive it regularly. <-- That's the fun part!

[Asiri]

There’s no cause for alarm, it’s totally normal

[thejobrien]

Seems about right. Are those rocker covers original silver/polished? or painted?

[Chris_1983]

Originally Posted by thejobrien

Seems about right. Are those rocker covers original silver/polished? or painted?

Can’t tell from the pictures. Curious why you asked?

[MrBonus]

I wouldn't lose any sleep as long as it burns clean and runs hard when at operating temperature.

[wazzz]

Originally Posted by Chris_1983

Can’t tell from the pictures. Curious why you asked?

I think he means rocker panels, the body parts under doors. They do look shiny.

[Winter]

Originally Posted by thejobrien

Seems about right. Are those rocker covers original silver/polished? or painted?

Could that be option # M403, aluminum sill trim?

My '76 has M403 (sills) and M418 (wheel trim). Sorry not the best pic.

[PeteKz]

If the picture is of the engine, I think he was referring to the rocker (valve) covers.

[thejobrien]

Originally Posted by Winter

Could that be option # M403, aluminum sill trim?

My '76 has M403 (sills) and M418 (wheel trim). Sorry not the best pic.

Oh wow thats great. Need to look into those.

If the picture is of the engine, I think he was referring to the rocker (valve) covers.

Whoops no, meant the rocker sill panels.