Mikey B

Is it normal to see some smoke emanating from the engine department after shutting down? Took the car out for some spirited driving today, then let it idle for a couple minutes before shutting it off. Within a few minutes noticed some light smoke coming from the engine. The cooling fan also cycled on and off about 4 or 5 times. Is the smoke normal? Do I need to idle for longer to allow the turbochargers to cool off after hitting full boost a few times? Any insight is appreciated as I have only had the car a month or so and am still getting to know it's quirks etc.

Bill (NC)

Short answer...no. Suspect you have some type of oil leak onto something hot. Cycling of the cooling fan is normal, even after letting it idle for a while.

Mikey B

How long do you let the car idle after some hard driving?

tar6day

5 miutes is the norm.

tar6day

5 minutes is the norm.

tar6day

If its coming from the engine bay, I would guess oil was spilled on the engine when refilling the oil. The oil filler is inside the engine bay and it is easy to spill some oil in there. Give it a couple more times and if it is still smoking than further investigation is needed.

Mikey B

Thanks for the input guys. I did a search and uncovered that the valve cover gasket can leak a little if the car hasn't been driven for 5 or 6 days but it usually stops after driving again. I hadn't driven it for a week so maybe that was it? It wasn't a huge amount of smoke but it was a little unnerving as the engine area seems to get so hot on these cars. I presume that is a normal result of an air/oil cooled twin turbo engine though.

Kevin

Do you still have your engine tray on or as I call it the engine diaper/heat trapper on?

bb993tt

Kevin, I've been waiting for a good reason to ask this question: I know it weighs a bunch and (probably) does trap heat, but I thought there were some "aerodynamic" reasons to keep this piece on. No?

Kevin

The 996TT doesn't have one..

Mikey B

Hi Kevin,

Yes, the Diaper is still on.

Turbodan

TAKE IT OFF IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!
smoking after 5 or 6 days not driving is NOT normal for these cars

fentonproductions

What is the mileage on your engine? I just replaced all the seals and gaskets on my 993tt @ 80k.

graeme36s

964 turbo's did not run an under tray either. Check for leaks but also check that someone has not put too much oil in it. This happened to mine and the service was carried out by a very well known and respected independant. Dribbles down over the barrels and gives you a minor heart attack. Takes a good while to clear as well. Hope thats all it is.

bb993tt

Any disadvantages to removing the undertray?