I read on a previous post that if you have black soot in your exhaust tailpipe, this indicates that your engine is running rich...

This is the case for me and I would like to know if running rich is a problem...?

I use optimax fuel and am thinking of starting to use an octane booster Silkolene Pro Boost or Nitrous Formula - will this cause any probs...?#

Any help greatly appreciated.

 

Depends on how dark & sooty. All cars running on unleaded fuel will have a blackish tail pipe.

Another way to check this out would be to get someone to drive your car you follow in another car. The person driving your car changes down a gear and floors it, you should see brownish exhaust emissions for right mixture, if they are black then too rich, blue then hmmm.

Runnning octane booster should not affect anything.

Dan

[Edited by submannz - 2/20/2002 7:35:52 PM]

 

Where do I get the optimax fuel from??

Is it right its only in Shell garages???
I havent seen any there in my area so far

Also is it better than normal Super unleaded??

Kkk

 

optimax is shell only and is rated at above 98 RON (on shell website)...
Check out the link...

http://www2.shell.com/home/Framework?siteId=uk-en&FC1=&FC2=&FC4=&FC5=&FC3=/uk-en/html/iwgen/yourcarormotorbike/Optimax/questions_answered_0312_0921.html

There should be a link of petrol stations that sell optimax...

 

thanks submanzz

if car is running too rich, is this harmful and how do you get the mixture just right....? Would this require work on the ecu...?

[Edited by madness - 2/20/2002 9:08:54 PM]

 

All Scoobies run a bit rich to try and stop detination...

I wouldn't worry about the black exhaust as both mine have been the same..

It it smokes when the engine is warm then there might be a problem.... other than that should be fine.

 

thanks jgm... put my mins at rest.

 

Hi all,

My StiV is running 15:1 on the air/fuel analyser .... (decat) and my WRX 1993 ...always had a black tail pipe. no worries

Julian

 

Yip mine has a nice sooty tailpipe too. May be my imagination but I think it is worse when she has been abused slightly.

Pat

 

many thanks for all replies...

 

Postman Pat, yes it is worse with more thrashing.

Rich is not too bad, you don't want to be too lean. Then you will melt pistons.

Dan