I have recently bought a boxster (03) with 77,000 on the clock. On start up I have noticed it is a bit smokie. It drives very well in its performance but am a bit worried. I have looked back a service history and only now noticed it has had two minor services at 11,000 and 21,000 then the next two were major at 43,000 and 76,000 with no other services in between. Could this mean the engine is worn badly due to the poor upkeep. If so is there anything I can do?? Any advice I would much appreciate, thanks

Mark

Is the check engine light on? Generally when you get smoke on start up, it means valve seals. Oil will leak through them into the combustion chamber when the vehicle sits for a while. It burns off on start up. It could be other things, but the color of the smoke should tell you whether it is oil or not.

Nadeem

You want to replace the oil separtor. Mine did the same and I replaced it and no more smoke.

Nice, I guess it is a common problem then. Thanks for letting us both know!

Nadeem

Hi,
just got my new (old, 99) Boxster last week and have a similar issue, i.e. when I start it, there is some (not much) smoke from the exhaust pipe.

White would be from water, black from oil, correct? So far it was hard to see which color it was. How pricy was the repair?

Thanks
Roxster

Hey, I'm certainly no expert in the repair of the boxster, but I've been reading a lot about its problems. Air oil separator is Porsche answer to the PVC valve. If this unit fails it will start showing some smoke on initial startup. There are many threads for the DIY people to walk you through the procedure, even with pictures. If there is a leak in the bellow it will cause an ingestion of oil into the fuel chambers. Part number for a 98-99 Boxster is 996-107-023-04. This part, if it has failed, will cause the fuel mixer to perhaps even show a lite on the dash. The "operation" to install a new air oil separator is done from on top (engine) and underneath with the right rear wheel off so you can get to the two screws and the bellow, together with a new clamp. You'd be helped a lot with a spring clamp removal tool to get at the pesky bottom. (Clamp=1.54) Air oil separator=115 to 90, bellow=20, J tube=20-24. Like I say, if the can smokes on initial start then this is likely the issue, however; get under the car and see if you are experiencing any oil leaks in other places.

My Porsche was smoking on start up, but then I put it on the nicotine patch!

Seriously, Mr. 4 cylinder your answer was most excellent. I crack jokes because I sometimes feel like I am talking to myself here. Not a whole lot of activity.

If your smoking cigars the patch willn't work. You need an air filter for a cigar.