Why are my pipes so dirty???

[crios]

Hi all,
What are your thoughts as to why my exhaust burns dirty? I use Mobil 0-40W, and probably put a quart ever 2-3 months and it goes low.

Here’s mine 03 Boxster:


And here’s another 03 Boxster:


Big difference.

Thanks,
Cesar

[Jaxonalden]

Our Boxsters are not ULEV II certified. I'd rather see a little soot than none at all.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by crios

Hi all,
What are your thoughts as to why my exhaust burns dirty? I use Mobil 0-40W, and probably put a quart ever 2-3 months and it goes low.

Here’s mine 03 Boxster:


And here’s another 03 Boxster:


Big difference.

Thanks,
Cesar

Because you probably have it at wide open throttle every once in a while, as you should. That looks normal.

[Lil bastard]

The car is running rich, definitely NOT how it should look.

Issues related to running rich:

Sparkplugs

Failing O2 sensors

Failing MAF

Poor fuel quality

Driving habits (short trips, lots of idle time, stop&go, etc.)

Just to name a few.

Start by replacing the plugs and go from there. That soot will not burn away, clean it off so you can notice any improvement if any.

[crios]

Originally Posted by Lil bastard

The car is running rich, definitely NOT how it should look.

Issues related to running rich:

Sparkplugs

Failing O2 sensors

Failing MAF

Poor fuel quality

Driving habits (short trips, lots of idle time, stop&go, etc.)

Just to name a few.

Start by replacing the plugs and go from there. That soot will not burn away, clean it off so you can notice any improvement if any.

Lil bastard,
No codes showing for failed O2 or MAF. Actually replaced the MAF about a year ago.

Fuel, always Chervon and sometimes a bottle of Techron as well.

Driving habits, I always drive like it's stolen...so this might be a contribution. Drive about 100 miles a week. 10-20 miles at a time, 4-5 times a week. I work from my home office.

Thinking it's the plugs as well. It has 44K and about 6 years old...I think the plugs get replaced every 7 years/100K, so it's due for them.

Thanks!

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by Lil bastard

The car is running rich, definitely NOT how it should look.

Issues related to running rich:

Sparkplugs

Failing O2 sensors

Failing MAF

Poor fuel quality

Driving habits (short trips, lots of idle time, stop&go, etc.)

Just to name a few.

Start by replacing the plugs and go from there. That soot will not burn away, clean it off so you can notice any improvement if any.

I disagree, a 12:1 AFR will produce soot, it's supposed to run rich at high loads. Anyone who's cleaned off their tailpipe will see that there is soot at and around the outlet. The interior of the muffler, as shown in this picture, is coated with it. It's perfectly normal.

[Boxtaboy]

Originally Posted by crios

Thinking it's the plugs as well. It has 44K and about 6 years old...I think the plugs get replaced every 7 years/100K, so it's due for them.

Thanks!

Actually, Porsche recommends replacing plugs in your model yr. Boxster after 4 yrs or 48k miles: http://www.porsche.com/filestore.aspx/default.pdf?pool=usa&type=download&id=maintenanceintervalsforporschevehicles&lang=none&filetype=default

But, I do agree that the soot you are seeing on the inside of your muffler is pretty normal. I clean the tailpipe of my Dansk muffler pretty often, as they are high polished tips, and do notice the soot there too, and my plugs have been changed every 30k, no MAF failure, no 02 sensor problems, etc.

[tamarsha]

Cesar... what is the story with the holes on the inside of the pipe? Do they help the sound at all? If so it looks like a pretty quick and easy hack.


[QUOTE=crios]
Here’s mine 03 Boxster:


And here’s another 03 Boxster:

[crios]

This is my CSE (Cesar Sport Exhaust) hack…makes the car growl!!!

Here are some instructions:
http://986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19770

[tamarsha]

Looks like I have a mod to try out tonight!!!

[Jaxonalden]

Do you have a sound clip?