Doug Maitlen

When I start my 79, a black liquid substance shoots out the tail pipes. If someone could tell me why it is doing that and a way to fix it, I would really appreciate it.

TimAT

Soot and condensation maybe??

Doug Maitlen

Why is it doing that? Is the car alright?

panic

my tvr griffith used to do that sometimes...i think it's condensation mixed with combustion residues, i'm not sure but i think it happens when the day before you drive into a traffic jams and anyway idle the car in traffic for long without revving it sufficiently for long...i dont think it's a bad sign for the engine anyway

Z-man

Nothing wrong with it. Pretty normal, although excessive soot might indicate a mixture that is too rich...

Big2Bird

Water vapor is a by-product of combustion. Most noticable in cool air as it condenses. The black is carbon, proably resulting from a rich condition such as the choke is on.

JoeRags

Condensation is perfectly normal for engines, its a byproduct of combustion. Once you shut the car off, sounds like your getting some water collecting in your pipes. From sitting, it picks up carbon soot from inside the pipes, and just blows out on startup.

Really nothing to worry about. Only issue could be excessive carbon which would indicate a rich condition.

Whiplash71

My 2002 Z06 does the same thing! Carbon build up in the exhaust getting spit out with water vapor when you first start it up. Don't sweat it.

carl a

Makes For Some NIce Black Spots On The Garage Wall! I Got Em!!