I have noticed after only a couple days driving after I have cleaned my exhaust tips, they are black. I go to the dealer as it was on my way home one day, went to the service dept, asked one of the tech's about it, he tells me this is normal? I explain the car has less than 10K miles on it and that can't be normal for black smoke to be blowing out of a motor that is basically new! Its a very black carbon. I am familiar with a motor that is running a bit rich and getting to much fuel...

Anyone have any ideas? before I take it back to the dealer and demand results, I don't want to have to clean my exhaust tips daily.

Mike

 

I have the same problem...Exhaust gets dirty after a few days. I installed the exhaust last year, when the car only had 5,500 miles. So, I think its normal.

 

Once your tank is near empty, fill up using different gas. Not sure it would make a difference. I have heard that Chevron gas is known to produce carbon build-up (over time).

FWIW, I change gas suppliers every month. Usually split between Unocal, Shell and Exxon.

 

sorry to hear bout this occuring on your 450h ....

...this is exactly how i first determined that the 3gs are prone to Carbon Buildup issues...least to say on the 300s/350s....this is definitely abnormal for a gasoline DI engine to have this amount of buildup-my VW TDI (Direct Injection Turbo Diesel) produces less tailpipe buildup.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...ml#post5520797


..after i initially noticed this tailpipe buildup-i knew something is up.....hate to say i was the 3GS Carbon buildup whistle blower


TSIB info. for the 300 platform.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...-build-up.html

 

My car is running rich ( 9:1 ). If you can check the A/F ratio, please do so and report back.

 

A/F ratio? ok if you can tell what that is?

 

A/F ratio = Air to Fuel ratio

 

Got it...Thanks

 

to the OP,

decided to resurrect your post since there is already a possible recall (infancy stage) set to repair the valve springs which is a possible** fix for the carbonization.

goodluck.


Isn't it an irony..... what's the point of driving a smoke belching "green" hybrid machine.
Lexus should step up to this issue bigtime ;(

 

Its normal mine does it too. Just dont leave it on there to long.

 

interesting? I never had this issue on my IS350 or my GS430.

 

i still have to see a gs430 which has the carbon buildup issue.

the IS350 is already part of this developing valve spring recall.

as i mentioned previously; i initially noticed the carbonization trend on the 300/350s, NOT on the 430s....of course it was not a scientific study, but i guess my suspicion was further solidified by this recent pending valve springs recall (which is ONE of Lexus's fix for carbon buildup).

 

That amount of carbon after only a couple days of driving can not be normal for any motor, something has to be up, been a car guy all my life and have only seen this amount of carbon on motors that have serious issues.And on a motor that has less than 10k miles on it? no way...

 

do you shift at near red line. The motor will dump a lot of fuel at high rpm

 

Not noticed on my 450h, 400 or 430....there is normal carbon usually the worst at the bottom center of the tips..

How often do you drive your car?