I’ve been experiencing some troubling symptoms with my Chevrolet lately, and I’m hoping someone here can help me figure out what’s going on.
The Problem
I’ve noticed a significant amount of black soot coming out of the exhaust, which isn’t something I’ve seen before. Along with this, the engine has been idling rough—it feels like there are misfires happening, and sometimes it even shakes a bit.
Possible Causes
From what I’ve read, the presence of black soot suggests there might be a rich fuel mixture problem. Here are a few things that come to mind:
Faulty Fuel Injectors: Could they be leaking or not functioning properly?
Bad Sensors: Is it possible that a sensor failure could lead to an incorrect air-fuel mixture?
Spark Plugs/Ignition System: Could these be causing the rough idle and misfires I’m feeling?
What I’ve Done So Far
I’ve checked the air filter, and it seems clean. I haven’t looked into the injectors or spark plugs yet, but I plan to.
Seeking Advice
Has anyone else faced similar issues? What was the solution?
What would you recommend checking first? I want to tackle this problem efficiently without unnecessary expenses.
I appreciate any insights you guys can provide! Thanks in advance for your help!
I’m sorry to hear about your rough idling! Black soot usually indicates incomplete combustion. Check your spark plugs and fuel injectors; they may need cleaning or replacement.
Absolutely, beckrachel! Bad fuel can cause poor combustion, leading to soot. Plus, check if there’s oil leaking into the combustion chamber, which can also create black smoke.
Well, if the engine is running rough along with the soot, it might indicate a deeper problem like worn piston rings or valve issues. Might be time for a compression test?
Also, don’t forget to check your engine’s timing! If it’s off, it could also be a culprit in both soot and rough idling. Have you had it checked recently?
Absolutely! I found that a clogged air filter can cause rough idling and increased soot. It’s a simple fix - just check it and change it if it’s dirty!
I had a rough idling issue once, and it turned out to be the spark plugs. They were all gunky with soot. Replaced them and my engine ran smoothly afterward!
Yes, my car would shake a lot while idling, plus the exhaust was black. After changing the plugs, it was like night and day! I definitely recommend checking them if you see soot.
For diagnostics, a good OBD-II scanner can do wonders! It helped me pinpoint a fuel injector problem that was causing my rough idle. Worth investing if you’re experiencing persistent issues.