The smoke that comes out of your car can give you some insight into the status of the internal components. Sometimes, car owners notice soot or black smoke coming out of their car’s exhaust and have no idea what it means or if they should be concerned. In this article, you’ll learn the causes of black soot coming out of your exhaust and the steps to take to stop it.
Soot coming from the exhaust is caused by incomplete combustion of fuel in the engine. There are many reasons why fuel may not be completely burned, and you’ll find them in this article.
It’s not normal for soot to be coming out of a car’s exhaust. So, whenever you see it happening, it’s evidence that something is wrong somewhere. Fixing the problem is usually not an expensive repair, so you shouldn’t panic when you see soot coming out of your exhaust. Continue reading this article to know the potential causes of soot in the exhaust and how you can fix the problems.
6 Most Common Causes Of Soot From Exhaust
Your car’s exhaust should be barely noticeable if everything is alright with your car. The exhaust should be quietly releasing gases that are a byproduct of the combustion process. But when you start to see soot, which is a deep black powdery substance, coming out of the exhaust, then it’s a sign that all is not well with your vehicle. The soot will result in black smoke coming out of your vehicle. Some of the soot will also accumulate in the exhaust.
Some car owners freak out when they see soot or black smoke coming from their exhaust. They fear that an expensive repair is in their future, but this isn’t always the case. It depends on the cause of the soot, and below are common causes of soot coming from the exhaust.
Clogged Air Filters
Soot may start coming out of your exhaust if the air filters are blocked since enough air can’t get into the combustion chamber. This results in incomplete or insufficient combustion of which soot is the byproduct. Even if the fuel injectors and other components are functioning as they should, clogged air filters can soot come from the exhaust.
It’s also possible for soot to come out during heavy load or hard acceleration as the fuel may not be injected at the right time. More on this later.
Fuel Injectors Are Damaged
The function of the fuel injector is to control the amount of fuel that reaches the combustion chamber. It is the work of the fuel injector to ensure that the right amount of fuel is injected at the right time. If there’s anything wrong with the fuel injector, it will result in black smoke or soot coming out from the exhaust. This is because fuel may be injected more than it should, making the amount of air in the chamber insufficient. And the result of an incomplete combustion process is soot.
Faulty MAF Sensors
Vehicles with electronic fuel injectors have a Mass Airflow sensor which is key to the functioning of the injector. The function of the MAF is to determine the amount of fuel to be injected into the combustion chamber. If the MAF is faulty, the combustion process will be incomplete, and soot will be produced.
Piston Rings
Damaged piston rings are another common reason for black smoke or soot coming from the exhaust pipe. The function of piston rings is to seal the combustion chamber. If there’s a problem with them, engine oil may find its way into the chamber. The combustion of the oil-air-fuel mixture will produce black smoke or soot.
Engine Deposits
As the engine ages, combustion products may start to accumulate in important parts of the engine, such as injectors and combustion chambers. When this happens, the functioning of the engine will be affected, and this may manifest as soot coming out of the exhaust.
How To Fix Soot Coming Out Of Your Exhaust
To fix a problem, one has to understand the cause of the problem. So, if you see soot coming out of your exhaust, you should inspect your car to know the potential cause of the problem. Below are common fixes to get rid of soot coming out of your exhaust:
Clean Air System
The first place you should check if you want to get rid of soot coming from your exhaust is the air system. As discussed above, blocked or clogged air filters will lead to incomplete combustion and produce soot. So, if your air filter is dirty or clogged, cleaning it may stop your exhaust from bringing out soot.
Go For Cars With Common -Rail Fuel Injection System
The common-rail fuel injection system is an injection system that comes with newer diesel-powered vehicles. If you are considering getting a diesel-powered vehicle, you should go for one with this type of injection system since soot rarely comes out of vehicles that have it.
Use Fuel Additives
If you’ve ever been to an auto shop, you’ll see entire sections dedicated to fuel additives. There are several options available, and you should go for those that prevent gunk from accumulating in your gas tank, fuel injectors, and fuel line. Fuel additives will also improve the fuel economy of your car as they bring about an efficient combustion process. For best results, use fuel additives according to the instructions in the package.
Replace Damaged Engine Rings
Piston rings are supposed to be hermetically sealed. So, if they are damaged, they will have to be replaced. Unless you know your way around a car, it’s advisable you let a mechanic inspect the piston rings and replace them if necessary.
How To Remove Soot From The Exhaust
Soot doesn’t look good on a car’s exhaust, especially if there is a large accumulation of it. You can remove the soot with a mixture of hot water, soap, and vinegar. After using this mixture to clean the exhaust, use aluminum or metal polish on a microfiber towel to finish the exhaust. Easy peasy.
