Black blue smoke? When is the last time it was tuned? Sounds like it's rich to me. Get that fixed and go forward.
Black blue smoke? When is the last time it was tuned? Sounds like it's rich to me. Get that fixed and go forward.
Rick,
A blown up engine won't push around a rust free newly painted car. That smoke is telling you something, LISTEN! Or at least get the problem diagnosed. It may cost you a whole lot more if you "just drive the car".
I agree with PWD72S, if you can have the engine work done while the car is having body and paint done. You get a much cleaner job and it will really be less work in the in the long run.
DO NOT tackle rebuilding your engine yourself, you are absolutely correct with thinking that it could be a VERY COSTLY mistake. Find a reputable shop in your area to do the work. Believe me, in my 31 years with Porsche. I have seen many times someone who has tried to save money and it cost them much much more than if they would have bit the bullit in the first place. Do it RIGHT the first time and CRY once!
Hope this helps and good luck with you project.
All the best!
Roger Grago
Service Manager PORSCHE Newport Beach
R Gruppe #27
73 RS-T
70 2.4MFI VW Bus
My engine ran strong, too, but smoked due to leaks onto the heat exchangers. No easy fix such as valve covers would do; the leaks were coming from the cam towers, etc. I wasn't sure what to do, since it ran well, so I ran a compression check and leak down. Compression was mostly in the 80% range, and leak down was up to 60%. With numbers like these, I am now proceeding with a new engine with confidence. The leak down is nice, because you can put an ear to the exhaust pipe, oil filler tube, and air intake and get an idea where the leakage is. If the smoke seems to be mostly out the exhaust, you need new exhaust valves. Maybe a top-end rebuild will do the trick. As you can see, compression and especially leak down will help you decide what to do with the engine.
I must say I hated the smoke. No one would even look at me in line at the autocross. I was shunned by me Porsche peers. Even though the engine probabaly could have gone longer and pulled well, I'm looking forward to a smoke-free and stink-free engine. (I know, some of you love the smell of hydrocarbons in the morning.) I'm going to be the belle of the ball at the next autocross.
Why not tackle both at the same time? Then the car is out of commission once. Money is supposed to be spent.
Charlie
'66 912
'50 VW Bug
'89 VW syncro Tristar Doka
'83 VW Westfalia
I understand you budget issues. I have been in the same place.
Personally, I would:
1-Determine the source of the cloud;
2-Decide if it is something you can live with or do things to mitigate;
3-Assuming you are not in risk of imment engine failure, take care of your rust; and
4-When budget permits, fix your engine.
On my 911, it smoked badly on decelleration and used 1qt/200 miles.
At Autocross it looked like this:
I spent about a year inspecting my car to satisfy myself that I did not have a rust problem and another year before I had the spare pennies to fix the engine. During this time, I discussed my concerns with my mechanic several times and each time he told me that as long I was willing to buy lots of oil and change it frequently, I did not need to rush in to do the repair.
Harry
Member #789
1970 VW Sunroof Kombi Bus - "The Magic Bus"
1973.5 911T Targa for fun - "Smokey"
2009 MB C300
I read statements like that and it makes me think I should have bought an RX-7 for racing.Originally posted by ckissick
I must say I hated the smoke. No one would even look at me in line at the autocross. I was shunned by me Porsche peers.
Why not tackle both at the same time? Then the car is out of
But, alas, I went to the PCA autox as a spectator and took my Boxster. The people who sat at the registration table wouldn't look at me. I had money in my pocket to join PCA. Didn't happen. At least you got on the track.
I was exagerating a tad. But really, the owners of the newer Porsches didn't look twice at my old stinker, but the early P-car owners always came around to ask about the car. I suppose that's how it will be next year even with my new SC engine.
And that's why we have this website. We are a little different, and it seems a large contingent of the post '73 Porsche owners don't quite get it. You'd think they'd eventually get a clue when they see the plethora of early cars at the top of the list of times.
Charlie
'66 912
'50 VW Bug
'89 VW syncro Tristar Doka
'83 VW Westfalia
Charlie, I couldn't agree more. The last PCA event that Cindy & I attended, we experienced the same thing. The drivers and passengers of the newer cars simply ignored us. So, I doubt that your car having a bit of engine smoke had a thing to do with it. We were so put off by this that I came close to becoming a P-car dropout. But common sense prevailed, as it dawned on me that their snobbishness & arrogance wasn't my problem. Nevertheless, the last PCA event I attended could very well have been the last PCA event I'll attend.
Paul D. Early S Registry #8 - Cyclops Minister of West Coast Affairs
"Now, to put a water-cooled engine in the rear and to have the radiator in the front, that's not very intelligent." -Ferry Porsche (PANO, Oct. 1973)
Same experience with PCA events Paul. Perhaps they feel THEIR water cars are the REAL Porsches - and ours aren't worthy of the marque? Piddly little 2 liter Lawn-Boy powered rust buckets that they are.
Anyway, I sort of pride myself on having things that 99% of the population doesn't get - early 911 definitely included.
Just makes it that much more satisfying when the 1% in the know comes around!
Jared
'73 911S #0793
'69 912_ #0602
Early S #0454
RGruppe #0391
more people aren't interested in the early 911's or more of us wouldn't be able to afford them.
Makes me smile everytime a person under 30 comes up to me at a gas station and asks me what kind of car it is and how old it is.
I tell them its the orginal Teutonic go-kart.
Seeing Redford jump into his early irish green Porsche in Spy Games last year and hearing people afterwards talk about what a hot car it is walking out of the theatre made me smile when they saw my 67 911 sitting there in the corner of the parking lot minding its own business waiting for me to come out to play...
Not that it matters here but same goes for the ur-quattro guys...Originally posted by JCR
Anyway, I sort of pride myself on having things that 99% of the population doesn't get - early 911 definitely included.
Just makes it that much more satisfying when the 1% in the know comes around!
Even the parts guys at the dealer have problems...
Audi quattro??? what model? A4? 100? 200?...
No, just quattro....
Not to mention absolute ignorance from newer Audi drivers...
Anyhooo just sharing general frustration.
Cheers
Martin