hypervish

Hey all,

Looking at purchasing a 2010 ES350 with 103k miles on it. Took a look at it on Sunday, and am going back tomorrow to take a second look. As I was leaving Sunday, I noticed what appeared to be oil in the muffler, it was visible on both sides. Does this look normal to you guys? It was raining on Sunday so perhaps the rain was just getting into the muffler tip and cleaning the carbon. The engine was very smooth, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

The first photo is from Sunday when I saw it, and the second photo is from his for sale ad, which also shows the oil or carbon in the muffler.

ESh

I don't believe it's oil. Oil can't get in there.

12jimmyjam

Good question. It just looks like regular tarnish to me. It can be cleaned up with #0000 steel wool and metal polish.

Now the garbage 09 honda accord that I had burned a ton of oil. It showed in heavy carbon buildup on the exhaust tips. But this car looks ok.

hypervish

Oil could come in through the engine, due to leaking valve stems, piston rings, etc.

Unfortunately, I think I'm going to pass on this particular car. Will keep looking! Thanks for the responses!

jagtoes

Looks normal as it is most likely carbon caused at start and warm up. Condensation in the mufflers bring this out and burns out. The rust color is rust which is normal unless you clean your tips every day. 45K on these.

hypervish

Thanks for the picture jagtoes, your muffler tip looks a bit cleaner than the 2010 I looked at.

But, alas I've continued my search for another ES. Going to take a look at two different 2007 ES350 Ultra Luxury tomorrow, one with 85k miles the other with 119k miles.

mlacomb

Agreed with others; normal tarnish if you don't religiously clean the tips. Nevr-dull and elbow grease cleans it up.

SW17LS

Totally normal. I had the same sort of tarnishing when I had my 2010 ES I would have to periodically polish out of the tips.

hypervish

Good to hear it's normal, but I ended up purchasing a like new creampuff, 2007 ES350 with only 23,000 miles on it! 1 owner, always garaged, and full service records.