Smoke

[Hamid Adeli]

I just bought an 03 996 tt w/ 9k miles. I noticed sometimes when I turn it on, the car blows white/blue smoke for the first 10-15 seconds. Is this normal? The dealer is telling me that it's b/c of the horizontal configuration of the pistons. Please advise. Any other corks about the 03's or 996 turbos in general I should know about? Thanks in advance!

[Loren]

Check you oil level. It may be over filled.

[Alex4747]

Check you oil level. It may be over filled.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Loren, that raises a good question. How would I know if the oil level is over filled since it's an electronic measurement?

Thanks,

Alex

[Loren]

Well, the only thing you can do is trust the measurement bars. I strive to be 1 or 2 bars from the top (just above midway). That way if I go to the track or do some spirted driving I'm safe and don't create blow by.

[Hamid Adeli]

Thanks Loren - I think you're right. I took it in for an oil change last week. When I checked the level and it's at the very last bar beyond the max indicator. Is this going to cause any damage. Any simple way of draining some of the oil myself?

[Loren]

Well, I've heard that if you just remove the oil filter canister pour the oil out and put it back on that will take about 1/2 quart. Or... if it is way high then drain the oil into a very clean (10 quart) container and only put back the right amount.

[LVDell]

Not sure if the Turbo is the same as a NA 996, but on a 996 if you overfill you can remove the plastic housing cover over the oil filter since it holds some oil. I did that once when I overfilled a 1/2 quart. Took me about 3-4 attemtps. Unscrew, empty, screw back on, restart car, turn off car, unscrew cover, drain, etc. till I got the proper reading. At first I tried to use my MityVac oil extractor that I use on my MB but the tube was not long enough (guess the oil is quite a ways from the oil cap on the P-Car). Hope that helps, but then again I am not familiar with the Turbo's.

[Hamid Adeli]

Thanks guys!

[ILoveheat]

Do you usually park your car in a level flat parking lot (beside the garage that I imagine is flat)? Anyway it happens to me expecially in the summer, I never paid too much attention also because the oil level is OK and therefore the possible explanation is the oil in the turbos, this is what I was told by the dealer. Good luck and enjoy your toy!!

[sharkster]

You can also get a GT3 dip stick and use it on the TT. It has the provision for it but just doesn't come with the car for some reason...

Smoke upon start up is pretty common... Could be piston rings seeping, couple be the turbos/bearing etc... You can pull off the hoses and look for oil...

[Hamid Adeli]

I got an oil extractor last week. Took out about 1/4 - 1/3 qt of oil. The indicaor is now 1 bar below max. Hasn't smoked since. The dealer overfilled it by about 1/2 quart. Thanks for your help.

Edited March 12, 2005 by Hamid Adeli