Black liquid coming from exhaust

[Guest 2]

Went out to my car this morning and started it as usual, left it ticking over while I put something in the boot.

When I walked round I found these black puddles below each exhaust. (engine is stone cold).

It smells like oil, but it doesn't have the consistancy of oil but it doesn't smell like diesel either.

I know its fresh because when the car was revved it spewed out more.

Just to add, the car smells very rich (smells very sweet), although there is no errors stored. Took it out for a 30 minute enthusiastic drive and its still spewing, but the engine was warm at this point.

NS


OS

[Sam]

Soot + condensation = black liquid

The fact it's still there with the engine up to temperature could hint towards a coolant leak but chances are it's just a result of running rich.

[Guest 2]

Ty Sam,

The car hasn't moved since Sunday so this may explain it. I had intake manifold runners replaced and this caused the car to run rich.

Coolant doesn't look the pink it always was, I'll get this checked out.

[Peter D]

If it washes off the drive easily then it is just excess condensation, this is assuming you are not using coolant which I doubt as it is both pipes. Tell us your engine code. Regards Peter

[apole]

HI Chris,

Hopefully it's just condensation from the exhaust mixed with the soot. Remember any engine produces water as it runs so it's only when it's got hot and been that way for a longish while you don't notice it. Also the temperatures recently have been much cooler than normal.

I did a few hundred miles at the weekend and about 2 hours in on my return I got stuck in heavy traffic, still had light steam coming from my exhausts in the following headlights !!

You can buy a head gasket tester, basically a chemical test that changes colour if any exhaust gasses are detected in the coolant:

http://www.frost.co.uk/automotive-en...ester-kit.html

There is also another test which is a pressure test, a kit that replaces the header tank cap with a connection and gauge, pump it up to a certain pressure then leave a while and see if the gauge shows a pressure drop.

I'd see how it goes, keep an eye on the coolant level, colour and MPG, then if you are still concerned get the garage to look at it.

Good luck.

[Guest 2]

If it washes off the drive easily then it is just excess condensation, this is assuming you are not using coolant which I doubt as it is both pipes. Tell us your engine code. Regards Peter

Engine code is ASB. The puddles have dried and left a mark on the driveway, I will get a pic of this tomorrow. Coolant level is fine, but its not the usual pink, its got a brown tinge off it.

HI Chris,

Hopefully it's just condensation from the exhaust mixed with the soot. Remember any engine produces water as it runs so it's only when it's got hot and been that way for a longish while you don't notice it. Also the temperatures recently have been much cooler than normal.

I did a few hundred miles at the weekend and about 2 hours in on my return I got stuck in heavy traffic, still had light steam coming from my exhausts in the following headlights !!

You can buy a head gasket tester, basically a chemical test that changes colour if any exhaust gasses are detected in the coolant:

http://www.frost.co.uk/automotive-en...ester-kit.html

There is also another test which is a pressure test, a kit that replaces the header tank cap with a connection and gauge, pump it up to a certain pressure then leave a while and see if the gauge shows a pressure drop.

I'd see how it goes, keep an eye on the coolant level, colour and MPG, then if you are still concerned get the garage to look at it.

Good luck.

Thanks aplole, I will keep an eye on the levels over the next couple of days, I'm driving the A4 atm, but I will take the car out on a good run in the next day or two.

[Sam]

Is the oil cap milky at all and does the coolant have brown floaty crap in it?

[kite]

Hope you won't be using that warranty again Chris.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

[Guest 2]

Is the oil cap milky at all and does the coolant have brown floaty crap in it?

Oil cap is clean, first thing I checked. Coolant doesn't look too good, very brown and the cap looks very crusty. Looks good dunnit?

Hope you won't be using that warranty again Chris.

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It looks like it may be used well this year again!

[Sam]

Looks like the first signs of another failed oil cooler (but I'm not a mechanic!)

If you're still under warranty get them to check it and then, if it is buggered, ask for a few coolant system flushes and a new header tank, you'll never get that one clean again no matter how hard you try.