Owning a Porsche is an extravagance that you have earned and deserve. The Porsche is designed for power and driving comfort while including a unique style to set it apart from the rest. When you purchase a Porsche, you know that you are receiving one of the best engines available. As your Porsche gets older, there may be issues that arise even when you keep the proper maintenance schedule. One of those issues is air-oil separator failure. Below, you will find information about what the air-oil separator is, what signs to look for that indicate failure, and how to address a failure.
The Purpose of the Air-Oil Separator
Whatever make or model Porsche you own, it is going to be equipped with a Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system. The PCV system in your Porsche is designed to release any and all gases or pressures that can build up from the crankcase. The PCV system is made up of numerous hoses, and if you follow them through your Porsche, they will lead to the inlet system. The purpose of this is so the PCV system can catch the fuel, oil, and water from the crankcase and route it back to the combustion chamber to be burned and cleaned in order to be safely let out into the atmosphere.
Regularly, the amount of oil that ends up running through the PCV is minimal, but there may be a light oil film or vapor left behind. So the purpose of the air-oil separator is to catch this minimal amounts of oil vapors before it gets to your Porsche’s inlet system. The air-oil separator ultimately helps to prevent the oil vapors from creating carbon deposits and from lowering the effective octane level in your fuel. The air-oil separator has a drain that connects to the oil pan, so any oil that is caught in it will be able to be used. The thought behind this is to keep the oil properly circulating through the system as opposed to letting this oil go unused.
Air-Oil Separator Failure
Knowing the signs of an air-oil separator failure is crucial if you want to catch this failure at an early stage. It will not be good for your or your Porsche if the air-oil separator fails but you continue to drive your car. Below you will find a few signs that will indicate to you that there is an issue with the air-oil separator that should be addressed as soon as possible.
Check Engine Light Illuminates
The air-oil separator is one of the many parts of your Porsche that is connected to the check engine light. As soon as the air-oil separator begins to fail and malfunction, the code will be sent through your Porsche in order for the check engine light to become illuminated. Due to the fact that there are many reasons why the check engine light could be illuminated, if you see this indicator light, you should take your Porsche in for servicing immediately. It could be the air-oil separator or it could be something worse. Either way, once that light goes on, you should take action to figure out where the issue lies.
Oil Leaks
A second indication that the air-oil separator has failed is oil leaks. You will see oil spots left underneath your Porsche wherever you park. They will be in the driveway or in any parking spot that you use when you are out and about. Oil leaks are another indication of a part failing in your Porsche, but it can also point to other parts that have failed. In order to fix the leak, the proper location and part needs to be identified. Once that has happened, you will be able to do the necessary repairs. If you do not feel comfortable doing this yourself, then seek out a trained professional as the best option for your repair.
Dark Smoke Coming from the Exhaust
One last indication that your Porsche may have a failed air-oil separator is dark smoke emitting from the exhaust. This dark smoke will be created by the unbalanced mixture of air and oil that has been created due to the failed air-oil separator. If this is happening to your Porsche, you want to have this inspected immediately, as it can lead to dangerous driving conditions for all those involved.
Servicing Your Porsche
Once you have discovered that there 
may be an issue with the air-oil separator, it is time to bring your Porsche in to the professionals. Here at Escondido German Auto, we specialize in all things Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Porsche, Sprinter, and Volkswagen. All of our technicians are certified and highly trained in German vehicles. We are conveniently accessible from Escondido, Rancho Bernardo, and Valley Center, CA. We will use the latest and most up to date tools and equipment to properly and efficiently diagnose the air-oil separator failure. You will leave our shop with a Porsche that is running like new.