Just a quick question. My car VR FD has been collecting a lot of black **** on the bumper near the exhaust. Does anyone else experience this? Is this a sign of running too rich? Or is it a sign of something that's wrong? I have had gas odor while driving with the vent on not the recycled air switch. Are these possibly related? As always I appreciate your help.

Danny

 

If you are smelling gas do not drive your car until your find the source.

Check the FPD and fuel lines in the engine bay for leaks and replace as required.

Search for "FPD" and "fire" for lots of information.

 

This guy looks like he's running a tad rich... heh

http://www.wrex-racing.com/video/rx7/redrx7flame.mpg

 

Considering what happens when you go lean, I don't think you can ever really be too rich.

Don't see it this way? Wait till you lose your engine and your car is down for 6 months.

-Rotary4tw

 

I guess my main question more than anything is the black stuff on the bumper. I mean do other people experience this and is it normal. Or is this a sign that something might be going wrong. It's been doing that for a while now and I wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions. I guess now another question would be about the fuel leak. That odor through the fresh air vent has been there since I've owned it in September. I have never smelled gas when the hood is up. Could it be with the exhaust? Somehow related to the black ****? Maybe gas not burning and that is where I am getting that smell. Thanks for the replies.

I don't know if this makes a difference but I've been backfiring a decent amount when the car has been sitting for awhile probably for the first 10-15 minutes of driving it. Also backfiring on upshifts at WOT.

 

Definitely running rich, I had that problem too. Might need a good tune.

 

I dunno bout FDs but my I had similar experience with my DC5. I could smell strong gas fume when I rolled down the window or standing next to the doors. Turned out my hotdog was leaking. Might wanna check the exhaust system Don't take my word as a bible. I'm no mechanic, just thought i could share my story.

 

Maybe you have an exhaust leak. Check to see if the gaskets are blown or leaking.

I would go ahead and check the FPD and replace the fuel filter if not done recently. There's no NORMAL reason why it should do that..mine doesn't..

But you say you smell nothing from under the hood? Is that with the car on or off?

Check all your fuel lines. How's the gas mileage? Worse than before? Same as when you got it?

 

Thanks for the replies. I am having the fuel filter changed next time I change my oil. As far as gas mileage, it's been equally as bad as when I first bought it. With the car on and off there is no gas odor under the hood. I think it is an exhaust leak.

Does anyone know why the bumper has the black sh*t on it from the exhaust. I'm more curious than anything. Thanks again.

 

Since you're running a "high flow cat and muffler," the actual exhaust gases spend less time reacting in the cat, so less of the exhaust is converted into colorless carbon dioxide and water vapor, and more of the unreacted combustion products of carbon monoxide and other hydrocarbons come out and stick on your bumper.

 

You might try putting in some new plugs, running some injector cleaner and definately changing the oil.

However, it's somewhat surprising that no one has suggested replacing the *oxygen sensor*??

Aside from basic maintenance, that's probably the most logical first step toward cleaning up the exhaust. If it's malfunctioning, or simply worn or burned up, the ecu won't be able to get a valid reading. It's also worth it to make sure the sensor wire isn't longer than necessary, as the voltage read decreases over the length of that thin wire. A new O2 sensor would help the engine will run more smoothly, backfire less, and get better mileage.

It also might be worth it to verify if the Pettit ecu is properly tuned for the mods.

Good luck.

-Josh

93 FD Touring
Apexi Power FC
et cetera...