Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Yes, smoking. I first noticed it today when I started the car as a persistent grey/blueish plume for the first few seconds of running from cold. Then came the dual carriageway test by spanking it up to 4th then changing down quickish to third on a closed throttle and there it was, the dreaded blue haze... And not in a good two-stroke way.

So, the big question...

Engine out, or engine in?

If I'm going to do it, I may as well do the job properly, so I'm considering replacing the valve stem seals as a matter of course, and maybe the lifters too. If the head's coming off then I'll re-grind the valve seats just as a spring clean ...

Now, with the head off, can I change the rings with the engine still in the car? Obviously the sump will have to come off to get to the crank, but can that be done with the cross member still in place? I may as well do the big-ends too ...

Whaddya think??

my first question would be what mileage has the car done? these engines are pretty strong with little to fear in the way of bore wear, unless you've removed the balance shaft belt that is...my guess would be worn valve stem seals and possibly guides but probably best to do a leak down test and compression test to see what's going on. Personally I wouldn't try changing rings (if actually needed) with the engine in the car, yes it can and indeed has been done, but it's not the best way for these things, far better to take the engine out and rebuild in a clean environment. If tests show that the engine does need work other than just the head then expect a rather costly affair, it's not worth cutting corners here, replace anything that shows wear. I'm not familiar with 16v so best talk to someone who's done this on the same engine, I've rebuilt an 8V and it wasn't cheap although to be fair I did go a bit OTT...

good luck

Pete

My mileage is around 150k, but I don't baby the thing...

haha...who does?? 150k isn't too high as long as it's had regular oil changes and the pressure is good...I would expect the issue to be just with the head but as I say you need to test it first. These engines need good oil and it needs to be pretty fresh...long periods on old oil will cause wear, more so on the Turbo's than N/A though....

I would check the breather system as well. Blocked breather hoses can also cause smoking.

Ahhh ... that might explain the slight stumble in the idle that morning...

I'll have to have a look..

G