R60 Exhaust Pipes Turn Black
#1
Exhaust Pipes Turn Black
Have chrome exhaust tips but they are always back when I wash the car. The black easily wipes off, just curious if this is normal.
I had the solid Yellow Engine light on for a day, but was told by service department could be bad gas or a loose gas cap, next day light went away, but the solid yellow light in the center speedometer is related to exhaust issues.
I had the solid Yellow Engine light on for a day, but was told by service department could be bad gas or a loose gas cap, next day light went away, but the solid yellow light in the center speedometer is related to exhaust issues.
#6
I am told that an oil catch can will make some difference. The MINI engine "recycles" some of its oil-based vapor back into the intake. An oil catch can will trap some of the vapor and allow the oil to "precipitate" into the catch can before it has a chance to return to the intake. At least that's the theory...
#7
I keep a towel out just for cleaning the tips on both MINIs, it comes off easy enough but you can do it every day! I have a buddy that claims the new formulations of gas is the culprit and says there a number of gas additives that can create a more complete burn of the gas and eliminate the deposits. That being said I have not tried any yet so can't say if it works or not.
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#8
As an old veteran MINI owner I can honestly say that MINIs have done this since they came back to the US. My 2003 Cooper and 2005 S used to get the buildup on the tailpipes. Heck even my GTi does it...
I wouldn't be surprised if my Countryman does it when it comes in too...
With the old engines the theory was that they ran rich which caused the buildup...
I wouldn't be surprised if my Countryman does it when it comes in too...
With the old engines the theory was that they ran rich which caused the buildup...
#11
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Low octane fuel causes the carbon build up. If you can find some Sunoco 110 octane fuel, (some independant dealers sell it) or aviation fuel, it will clean the combustion chamber through to the exhaust tips. It will be absolutely clean. Be ready to pay high bucks per gallon though.
That's all I've used in my CMS and I still need to clean the tips regularly....
#15
Yes, 93 octane top-tier fuel in the USA is considered low octane. Unless you try Avgas or Sunoco 110 you won't see the difference. If there is no difference and it doesn't clear up you've got bigger problems. I run 93 and 94 octane fuels and my exhaust carbon up after about 1 full tank. I run 6 to 8 gal of Sunoco 110 every 2 or 3 tanks and the carbon burns right off. What do you consider Top-tier fuel?
#16
For that up-charge, I can opt to use 93-octane and clean my exhaust tips at each fill-up using a $20 bill, then discard it.
I have over 450,000 miles on four cars (BMW-200k, BMW-150k, MINI-100k, MINI-12k) using 93-octane and careful maintenance. So far, no ill-effects from using top-tier fuel without racing or 110-octane. In fact, one might argue that similar results could be had using top-tier gas of lesser octane (and cost).
Top Tier Gasoline
YMMV,
Last edited by Koopah; 01-21-2013 at 04:11 PM.
#17
Let's see - 100LL Avgas is selling at my local GA FBO for $5.90/gal. My local Mobil station is selling 93-octane (AKI) for $3.70/gal. Based on a fill-up volume of 12 gallons, my up-charge for using 8 gallons of 100LL and 4 gallons of 93 versus the full 12 gallons of 93 is $17.60 per tank. Do this for three tanks and my up-charge is $52.80.
For that up-charge, I can opt to use 93-octane and clean my exhaust tips at each fill-up using a $20 bill, then discard it.
I have over 450,000 miles on four cars (BMW-200k, BMW-150k, MINI-100k, MINI-12k) using 93-octane and careful maintenance. So far, no ill-effects from using top-tier fuel without racing or Avgas. In fact, one might argue that similar results could be had using top-tier gas of lesser octane (and cost).
Top Tier Gasoline
YMMV,
For that up-charge, I can opt to use 93-octane and clean my exhaust tips at each fill-up using a $20 bill, then discard it.
I have over 450,000 miles on four cars (BMW-200k, BMW-150k, MINI-100k, MINI-12k) using 93-octane and careful maintenance. So far, no ill-effects from using top-tier fuel without racing or Avgas. In fact, one might argue that similar results could be had using top-tier gas of lesser octane (and cost).
Top Tier Gasoline
YMMV,
I was responding to those who do have a problem with it.
#18
Therefore, in my case, the carbon build-up on the CMS exhaust tips I deem to be only a cosmetic issue. Thus, for me, the extra cost of using a fuel-based method of eliminating carbon build-up on the tips seems, IMHO, rather expensive.
However, everyone should have the right to consider this issue in the manner they wish. If they want to use any method of addressing dirty exhaust tips, whether it be through spending money on 110-octane or by keeping a microfiber towel in the way back, it's all good.
Last edited by Koopah; 01-21-2013 at 01:16 PM.
#20
I was merely stating that, in my case, 450,000 miles using top-tier fuel has not produced any deleterious effects from carbon build-up to the four cars I mention. And, while this is an admittedly insignificant statistical population from which broader conclusions cannot be drawn, it has worked in my application. YMMV.
Therefore, in my case, the carbon build-up on the CMS exhaust tips I deem to be only a cosmetic issue. Thus, for me, the extra cost of using a fuel-based method of eliminating carbon build-up on the tips seems, IMHO, rather expensive.
However, everyone should have the right to consider this issue in the manner they wish. If they want to use any method of addressing dirty exhaust tips, whether it be through spending money on Avgas or be keeping a microfiber towel in the way back, it's all good.
Therefore, in my case, the carbon build-up on the CMS exhaust tips I deem to be only a cosmetic issue. Thus, for me, the extra cost of using a fuel-based method of eliminating carbon build-up on the tips seems, IMHO, rather expensive.
However, everyone should have the right to consider this issue in the manner they wish. If they want to use any method of addressing dirty exhaust tips, whether it be through spending money on Avgas or be keeping a microfiber towel in the way back, it's all good.
it will kill the O2 sensors and the cat too
i was commenting that unleaded fuel burns black whereas avgas in the same engine will burn tan/gray
either fuel results in some residue as a result of combustion, in this case, unleaded is black and avgas is tan/gray
scott
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scott
#24
After years of dealing with this problem, I masked off my stainless steel Milltek exhaust tips, scuffed them up with some scotchbrite pads, and painted them with high-temperature matte black paint. I'm so glad I did.
Now, they look mean, and not "unwashed". Never have to wipe off the exhaust tips again.
Now, they look mean, and not "unwashed". Never have to wipe off the exhaust tips again.