Dry black soot in tailpipe okay? Causes?

Realize this is an openended question, many may have the same symtons so here goes:

2001 CLs. Bought used certified in March 2004 with 40K miles. Currently at 58K. All stock.

Dry black soot in tailpipe. I just douched it out with rubbing alchohol so as to monitor what comes out now > future. All the dry soot out, if any know how to bring the inner tailpipe back to shiny metal, let me know. Black coloring remains on about half of it.

Oil burning: None. Between 5K oil changes its all good.

Startups. Will have buddy start it up as I eyeball exaust and then give exact details. Sorry for the lame report for here and now today.

Smell: I can't tell if its too sulfery or if thats just the normal smell of startup gas.
ajtcl had some ideas on a similar problem, sugg the cat may be malfunctioning. https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...=soot+tailpipe It does seem to reek a bit, or is that just normal?

Gas: I did run 87 the first 7K i had the car. Pinging. In an easy mechanical move my head was pulled out of my ass, I read owners manual, have used 91 since. Pinging went away within a tankful. However, I'm told the soot has nothing to do with the 87 gas.

Plugs will be checked soon.
Valve adjustment? How would one know if neccessary?

 

It's fine. Just a byproduct of burning fossil fuels.

 

That's normal for a diesel car!









































j/k

 

It's normal. Mine needs to be cleaned too.

 

It's normal. Some cars have more of it then others. You can chalk it up to how rich the CLS runs. All rich running cars have alot of soot. Might also explain why a dirty IAC & TB are common on this car too.

 

Any of ya'll have a suggestion for cleaning? All I did was try to wipe the insides up a bit. Didn't improve much.

 

Use SeaFoam... I did a post in 1st Gen. on how to use it. And so have others. I think mine was the most recent.

As for soot in the tailpipe, it is normal to a degree, but if you have lots of it, that could be a sign of fuel not completely burning. A rich running motor can clog your cat much faster. You may want to have your emissions checked.

 

steel wool...

 

Thank you everyone. Good to know it's most likely just normal fossil fuel.
I did a cold start, turned the key then ripped back and checked the exhaust. For 2-3-4 seconds it was completely clear. Then started the clear/white/grey misty fog, which seems normal, right? About 20 seconds in it went away.

ajtcl, as to the cat , is there a way to unclog it?

 

Is still wool okay? I have aftermarket stainless steel headers. I've been using EAGLE metal polish for it, but it's just not cutting the job.

Wouldn't wool scratch?

 

You think it is bad on a stock car. Try it with a Comptech supercharger and exhaust!

 

YES!!... it will scratch the shit out of your stainless... but he is prescribing that you use it on the inside of the tailpipe..

stick to your eagle one... or buy some BOM's AWAY

 

yes, inside only. not for chrome trim piece. sorry if that wasn't clear...

 

Just use nail polish remove (or isopropyl alcohol).

 

For the outside or inside?

 

I'm a little apprehensive about using steel wool on my insides too. they're not going to leave marks?

 

on the inside of the actual pipe, shouldn't. SS is harder than steel wool. the outer chromed trim piece, maybe softer and might well scratch. you could try a really fine (4-0 or 5-0) wool, would be less likely to scratch and if it did would be more satiny looking rather than coarse marks. if you're really concerned you could try a test area out of view, or just not mess w/it at all.

Just off the top of my head, has anyone tried wheel cleaner? soot is probably similar to brake dust in being inert and sticky.

 

Regular steel wool WILL scratch stainless....Cooper wool will not.