Major White Smoke While Driving (not just startup)

[A4EP]

I was on a spirited drive with a good friend today when his 2000 987S started to billow smoke and I mean not a puff or two but makeing a smoke screen for about a quarter of a mile. We pulled off to the side of the road and it continued to smoke at idle, albeit not as bad. I know the startup smoke is normal but this was definitly not. We limped his car back home and it didn't smoke again but something is not right. He felt the car studder while the smoke was billowing out the back. I searched the archives and I have read about the bad oil seperator, is this what could be the problem? He just got an oil change three weeks ago and has noticed more smoke at startup than usual but this is a first for having it like this while driving. Any advice would he helpful.

A4EP

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

It definitely sounds like the Air/Oil Separator to me. This is not too difficult a DIY repair and you'll save $$ over what the Dealer will charge.

Also, since the oil is so fresh, it can be drained, saved and reused saving a few more$$. Hope this helps...

Happy Motoring!...Jim'99

[Stefan]

Stop driving! It is the air/oil separator and if you keep driving you will hydrolock the engine. If you don't cause any further damage you should expect to spend about $130 for a new separator and a couple hours of labor. You can do it yourself but you can expect to spend some time wiggling parts on/off and dealing with a hard to get at clamp.

I had the same problem. I also changed the spark plugs because they were fouled from burning oil. Even after changing the separator, there was smoke for hundreds of miles (getting less and less over time).

[deliriousga]

Ditto. It's about a 1 1/2 hour job from the top. You can get the part for less at Sunset Porsche (if you're not in Oregon or Washington state). They are a sponsor of this site.

[shay2n10]

You know, I just got my car back from the shop yesterday for the same problem. It took a couple hours to fix and the parts were $80. My dad picked up the car from the shop and brought it straight home.When I got home I saw a BIG stream of coolant coming from the middle part of the car on the passenger side, right next to the back passenger tire. So I checked the coolant and there was condensation by the coolant cap and on the top of the trunk lid. The coolant was low but I turned the car on and the amber light that says if the car is too hot started blinking! So I said shoot, I will have to deal with it after I talk to the mechanic. This morning I spoke with him and he told me that he didn't even touch anything with coolant, hmmmnnn!! Point of the story is, be careful, and make sure that it actually is the separator, but it is a great place to start!!

[ar38070]

You can also get smoke when driving hard if the oil level is too high. Since the oil had just been changed it may have been that they put too much oil in when they refilled it.

RE: the coolant leak

If the blue cap is not on TIGHT (and I mean as tight as you can possibly make it) you will get coolant leaking passed it after the car is stopped. The light is blinking because the coolant level is too low. Refill the reservoir with distilled water and you should be fine.

[shay2n10]

Good points! Both of them! Oh and don't forget to check your oil and make sure you dont have any water bubbles in it!

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

There has been a lot of discussion lately re. the Air/Oil Sperator, so I looked it up in my Tech manuals. From the expoded diagram, it shows two (2) Air/Oil Separators living underneath the Sump Pan, presumably one for each bank of cylinders.

In the various discussions, it/they are only referred to in the singular tense. So which is it one Air/Oil Separator or two?

Happy Motoring!...Jim'99

[ar38070]

The oil separator that most people are talking about is at the top of the motor and is connected to the throttle body. There is only one of these.