Sunseeker09

Hello!

I went for a nice spirited drive today. Outside temp was around 27C (81F) and at some point I saw some white smoke coming out of the rear left as some burning smell (plastic/rubber I believe). Got scary... then it vanished and I could continue (first slowly then... less so).

Any idea of what it could be? Temp never went higher than 110C (230F) and quickly went down when slowing down. Everything else was normal. I checked oil level and after the smoke it was at the maximum (aka the top tiny bar wasn't filled).

krazykarl

My first thought is maybe something got stuck to the exhaust and then burned off, given that it was only on one side and apparently temporary. You could inspect the exhaust for residue.

Petza914

We're you running the air conditioning?

Sunseeker09

I wasn't (window and sunroof open to enjoy the car).

Something on the exhaust... possible, it was in the forest and a lot of pine trees here

Petza914

I don't run my AC often either and one day on a business trip I was and accelerated hard to pass a car and heard a pop and then had some smoke wafting out of the engine bay when I parked. Never found anything wrong and never fixed anything and it was about 4 years ago. One of the 997 experts I know said the AC system must have blown off some excess pressure and the oil in the AC system is what caused the light smoke. Where it does this from I have no idea, but thought maybe you had a similar experience.

Wayne Smith

Not trying to be ornery ... the air conditioning doubles as a dehumidifier. It was my understanding that it is best to always run with it on to reduce the chance of mold developing in the system that could then cause unwanted smells (which have been discussed in this forum). For instance, the defroster is quite ineffective without the air conditioner.

I always have mine on (2010 997.2). The only smoke I've ever seen is after parking on a sideways slope. When that happens it can be quite embarrassing.

Petza914

The car runs differently with it on with the parasitic drag from the compressor when the clutch is engaged - does this on every car ivw ever been in and you can feel it when the clutch engages. The system on a .2 is different.

Wayne Smith

Good point. I believe the .2 car is a rotary compressor. I still don't understand the smoke ...

Sunseeker09

Neither do I... and it was just that one time (so far). I usually run the AC except when I open the sunroof and windows. But good point to keep it running often enough.