CEL and light smoke

J

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Hi folks,

I have an '01 2.7, 58K, and today the CEL came on while driving. I have a scangauge II, but it doesn't seem to read the boxster for some reason. At idle at home, I see some light gray smoke/steam coming out of the tailpipe. Smoke has no detectable odor.

Does anybody have any ideas? I assume I will need to have the code read. Are there any inexpensive scan readers that work on the boxster, or a reasonable place to have that done?

Thank in advance,

John
Livermore, CA
 
Thank you. Yes, I have been reading more about that, and it seems likely. I would like to read the codes but I'm not sure I want to drive it at this point...
 
if your codes are 1128 and 1130 its probably the aos... those are the two codes i pulled just after the aos took a crap... mine only had 41k on it when it went out last august and it was an 00 2.7. not too difficult to diy either.. part is just about $110 at stead porsche in walnut creek..
 
Thanks again for your help.

Can anybody advise on these two questions:

-Is there a code reader (inexpensive) that works on the boxster? I don't know why my scangauge won't work - the company website seems to indicate it should.

-Is it okay to drive it a few miles to an auto parts store to read the codes or should I not drive it at all?

Thanks,

John
 
As long as the CEL isn't flashing, you are OK to drive it to a place to get the codes read. Before doing this however, it would be a good idea to pull off the engine cover and check how much if any oil is on the right side of the throttle body and rear right quarter of the engine (location of AOS). If there is a little, no problem, if the engine (and engine cover) is now coated heavy with oil, replace the AOS before driving. Sometimes the AOS slowly goes bad at other times it is catastrophic.
 
Okay, I was able to reset the scangauge to work and I did in fact find 1128 . Sounds like you are on the money, mikes box. Tery, I will open up and look for oil also. From what I read, cleaning the throttle body might be a good idea while I'm at it.

Question about the aos. I have the Bentley manual, and I see an air-oil separator (in fact two of them) inside the sump. I think you guys are talking about something else altogether attached to the right rear of the engine. Can somebody clear that up?

Thanks,

John
 
Thank you, cas951, that is a very generous offer! The diy at 986 forum and your post are very helpful.

So, I looked down in the engine compartment and saw no oil pooled anywhere. Wondering still about the light smoke, I checked the oil for coolant, and the coolant for oil. Both clean. The inside of the tailpipe is clean, so everything seems to be burning properly. I am wondering if I had an overexcitable cel, and maybe I should just turn the light off to see if it comes back. I assume if the condition is real the light will pop right on again. I also assume with no pool of oil and no blinking cel catastrophe is still a ways off.

Any opinions on that idea?

Thanks,

John
 
If your having some smoke I'd just go ahead and do the aos. It might be the start of it going out but you really don't want to wait for it to fail completely before having it done. It'll eventually need to be changed. It is a common failure point in the car both for milage and age so spending the $100 or so now to fix it would save you the hassel and headache to fix it when it fails completely. When it fails completely you'll have to do a little more cleaning up of throttle body and maf. Plus u don't want the maf to go out due to a failed aos otherwise that'll add another $300 or so for a new maf..
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I would also clean the throttle body while your are doing the AOS. Some try to do it with the cross tube attached, but I think it is faster to pull the whole thing out and gives you access for wiping any oil out of the intake manifold. Pulling off the air intake tube is the hardest part - - - don't be shy about applying a little muscle here. See attached pictures of my throttle body out during my AOS repair (2001 2.7, replaced at 46K miles). I would also remove the MAF and give it a good cleaning with spray MAF cleaner.
 

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Thanks to both of you for the updates. I will check into aos price tomorrow and maybe do it next weekend. Is there an online write-up for the MAF and throttle body cleaning? I am new to the boxster so I want to get it right.

Thanks,

John
 
Okay, I found some good write-ups for them. Doesn't look too tricky.
 
With the AOS being a frequent failure, would the Babblers recommend just replacing it at a certain mileage? If so, what approx. mileage would you think you should replace? Thanks.
 
There is no recommended mileage for the AOS. When they completely fail there is a HUGE cloud of white smoke that pours out of the exhaust and it takes a while for all of the oil to burn out.

To clean the throttle body you just loosen the clamp on the plastic tube that runs from the air filter to the throttle body and slide the tube off. While manually holding the throttle plate open use a small wire brush with some carb cleaner or brake clean to scub off any carbon. It is a pain in the butt to get the plastic tube back on at the throttle body. I use a heat gun and some lube to assist.
 
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