Hi All,

I am having some problems with some blackish some coming up from underneath the car (I have a 89 TII).

All of this started right after I got it and hit a curb (one foot, those big suckers at bus stops) going about 15mph skidding. I found out really fast why it's soo important to have good rubber on these damn cars. I noticed that there was possibly an exhaust leak because I look underneath and saw a rip in the pipe between the cat and piece that goes to the exhaust. 1st guess, exhaust leak.

This happens after I get off the Freeway coming to or from work (it's a 25 miles drive) after I am stopped at a light. There is a lot and I mean a lot of (black) smoke (people next to me always role up their window so they don't choke). I just went to Exhaust Works on my way to work yesterday because that's what I originally thought the some was, WRONG (the part that was ripped was the heat shielding).

I am new at this and my observational skill are not the best for this car, yet. I was wondering why it smelled like oil (maybe gear oil?), I thought it was just the unburned portion in the exhaust. I guess not.

When it was up on the rack I did notice a bit of something a little farther towards that front of the car on the exhaust pipe (oil possibly?). I'm guessing it could be oil but it doesn't make any sense. The only thing that's above it is the tranny, I think. Err, can someone please correct me if I'm completely wrong on this. I know that these rotary engines get extremely hot and that's part of the issue.

Does anyone have any idea's on what it could be (hints on smells etc.)

Thanks!

Rick
rtm@frys.com

 

I know that when I was looking for my FD one of the first ones I was looking at shared black smoke. "The Dealer" said it was the intake manifold. The only time it smoked was when I punched it and when I did it dumped black smoke really bad. Hopefully this is of some help.

 

Actaully it's more after I've been punching it (after I get off the Freeway). Then it starts smoking from the sides.

Sorry doesn't sound like thats the case. Does anyone else have any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

Actually let me clairify that. The smokes not coming out the exhaust pipes. It's coming out under the door and at times under the hood. It doesn't look all that good.

 

I'd say your right, it doesn't look all that good... But, to every problem there is a solution.

The first thing you will want to do when you see smoke is pull over and locate where it is coming from. Once you know the origin
of the smoke it will be easier to narrow down the problem.

Also, when the car is cold try to find places where there is oil dripping. There may be an external oil leak. When the car heats up from freeway driving it begins to burn the oil off. Once you slow down the wind isn't blowing the smoke away from the car anymore so it starts floating out from the engine bay.

Try these few things and see where it takes you.
-Mike

 

Hey thnaks.

I'll try those things and get back to you.