AOS?

[Flat6speed]

Hello all, I have a 2000 base Boxster with stick shift.  I took ownership about a month ago.  The car has 102000 miles on it.  Today when I was dropping my daughter off to school and was idling through the parking lot I noticed smoke coming out the engine vent.  It was erratic and came and went.  It smelled like oil.  I've noticed this smell other times especially when driving the car spiritedly but never seen it smoke like today.  I also had a O2 alarm about a week ago but was able to clear with my Durametric software. The previous owner said he replaced one of the O2 sensors recently as well.  I'm thinking AOS.  I have the engine compartment exposed and the AOS has oil all over the outside.  Are these difficult to replace and whats the going rate for one?   

 

Thanks,

Scott

[JFP in PA]

Hello all, I have a 2000 base Boxster with stick shift.  I took ownership about a month ago.  The car has 102000 miles on it.  Today when I was dropping my daughter off to school and was idling through the parking lot I noticed smoke coming out the engine vent.  It was erratic and came and went.  It smelled like oil.  I've noticed this smell other times especially when driving the car spiritedly but never seen it smoke like today.  I also had a O2 alarm about a week ago but was able to clear with my Durametric software. The previous owner said he replaced one of the O2 sensors recently as well.  I'm thinking AOS.  I have the engine compartment exposed and the AOS has oil all over the outside.  Are these difficult to replace and whats the going rate for one?   

 

Thanks,

Scott

 

Try removing the oil fill cap while the car is idling, if it come off easily and the car starts to idle funny, you are fine.  If it is excessively hard to get off, the AOS is on the way out.

[Flat6speed]

Well it comes off easily and the car idles poorly with the cap off.  Guess its time to check out the oil/spark plug tubes.  Any other advice that's typical for my car with this kind of mileage? 

 

Thank you JFP.

 

Scott

[JFP in PA]

Well it comes off easily and the car idles poorly with the cap off.  Guess its time to check out the oil/spark plug tubes.  Any other advice that's typical for my car with this kind of mileage? 

 

Thank you JFP.

 

Scott

 

If you suspect oil leakage, it is not going to heal by itself.  You need to put the car up in the air and have a look from underneath to try and spot the source.  Oil leaks are common on these older cars, particularly from the spark plug tubes; fortunately and is a relatively easy and inexpensive fix..

[Flat6speed]

Your right.  Time to roll up my sleeves.

 

Scott

[kbrandsma]

You should also remove the J tube (plastic tube connecting the AOS to the throttle body) and check it for oil.  Oil coming from the engine vent could also indicate a possible oil fill tube crack or oil heat exchanger leak.  How is your oil level?

Edited September 29, 2014 by kbrandsma

[Flat6speed]

Its been dropping pretty fast.  Tomorrow I will get it up in the air and take a look.

[Flat6speed]

Can anyone tell me about replacing the oil tubes?  2000 base Box with stick.  Thank you.

 

Scott

[JFP in PA]

Can anyone tell me about replacing the oil tubes?  2000 base Box with stick.  Thank you.

 

Scott

 

Are you referring to the spark plug tubes and seals?

[Flat6speed]

Yes spark plug tubes.

[kbrandsma]

There is a good write up for Spark Plugs DIY and Spark Plug Tubes on Pedro's Garage.

 

The link can be found by PRESSING HERE

Edited October 8, 2014 by kbrandsma

[Flat6speed]

Great write up kbrandsma! Thank you!

 

Scott

[Jager]

Hello all, I have a 2000 base Boxster with stick shift.  I took ownership about a month ago.  The car has 102000 miles on it.  Today when I was dropping my daughter off to school and was idling through the parking lot I noticed smoke coming out the engine vent.  It was erratic and came and went.  It smelled like oil.  I've noticed this smell other times especially when driving the car spiritedly but never seen it smoke like today.  I also had a O2 alarm about a week ago but was able to clear with my Durametric software. The previous owner said he replaced one of the O2 sensors recently as well.  I'm thinking AOS.  I have the engine compartment exposed and the AOS has oil all over the outside.  Are these difficult to replace and whats the going rate for one?   

 

Thanks,

Scott

What was the O2 sensor error code that you cleared? Also, what does the voltage on the O2 sensors look like at idle? I think you have a couple problems based on your description.

[Flat6speed]

Hi all, I just wanted to update on my findings.  The spark plug tubes were the source of my oil leak.  I tried the boat plug method to remove them but did not have muck luck.  I ended up using a screw driver to pop them out.  Of course I damaged them in the process but they were old and brittle.  I recommend replacing the tubes along with the o-rings if your car is as old as mine (2000 with 100+K miles.   As far as the O2 sensor issue goes I don't know.  I cleared my O2 alarm several weeks ago with my Durametric and have yet to see it return.   Much thanks to everyone's help! 

 

Regards,

Scott