Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

My 1980 911 sits for long periods unloved.I did a trackday a year ago and all was fine.
I started it a month ago and never seen so much smoke.Cleared once warmed up fully.It makes no noise.
Anyone have any ideas.Rings maybe?

Oil seal, valve.

Dont worry bout it

Knowing precisely nothing about 911 engines.How is it fixed?


edited to say that perhaps I know the best answer to that.Give it to someone that knows.Is it something that can be done without removing the engine.I imagine it is at the top end somewhere.

Start with a compression test, wet and dry and see what that tells you first.
If something seems amis there, you can do a leak down test to narrow things down a bit further to assess the state of the engine.

What colour was the smoke? That's the biggest indicator of any problems.

Does the car smoke every time you start up from cold? How many times has it been around the globe?
These engines do have a tendency to smoke occasionally on start up from cold when left standing for some time, it’s as Russ said most probably oil leak back from a valve seal or seals, really nothing to worry about, but do undertake the tests as suggested by MGBV8.

If at the end you decide you want to have a closer look, it’s an engine/gearbox out job and a top end strip down. Depends how you go with this, if you do it yourself you’ll most likely get some small change out of one and a half grand, having it sorted by an Indy add another three to the first fig.

How long is a long period ? most older, and some newer, 911's will smoke a bit on start up, especially if left for a long time, agree with Russ and Allen, get it checked out , but would not worry too much , she is 30 years old now don't forget!!

It will sit for between 3 and 9 months between me rolling it out and starting it.
I wouldnt be too worried if it smoked a bit for 2 mins after starting but it smokes embarasingly alot until completely warmed up ie 20 mins.

running for 20 mins on tickover or driven ? 9 months is a long time to let it stand, I would think any engine left for 9 months would be entitled to smoke a bit!! all the comments posted before still apply. Just in case you are letting it stand on tickover, don't, take it out to drive, these engines take ages to warm through and you will probably do it more harm than good.

So long as the oil is changed before it is stored for long periods there wouldn't be a problem.
However, the acid in old oil will eat into the white metal bearings which isn't good...

OP, what were the readings from your compression test? So long as they are reasonably close to one another and don't shoot up too much when you put a squirt of oil down the bores for the seccond reading I wouldn't worry too much.

I am going to stick it in to a specialist sometime this year for a service and a check.Service was last done 3 years ago and only done a trackday since.
When I run it up I always run it up thoroughly for half hour and go round the block.
It isnt used as it is my wifes and she is embrased by the holes in the front wing below the head lamp, for which I have been chastised frequently.Always Moted and insured.

I shall get it sorted this year.Just no time!