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That don't look like oil on your finger ... Looks like black soot to me.
Black soot like that normally indicates that the engine is running too rich ... but by the looks of the outside of the pipes, I don't think anyone has [ever] cleaned them, so that soot on your finger that came from inside the pipes is more than likely just a mess that has accumulated over a very very long period of time.
Spend some of your time and clean the inside and outside of each of your 4 tailpipes with a rag soaked in gasoline or regular ol' paint thinner. Then get some fine grade steel wool and rub inside and outside the pipes real good until they look good again.
It will make a BIG difference !
Then you can keep an eye on them and see if they are getting oily or sooty again ... My thought is that they will then stay pretty clean for pretty reasonable amount of time indicating that you have no problem.
Time for you to get to work ....... Post the before and after photos of those tail pipes.
That don't look like oil on your finger ... Looks like black soot to me.
Black soot like that normally indicates that the engine is running too rich ... but by the looks of the outside of the pipes, I don't think anyone has [ever] cleaned them, so that soot on your finger that came from inside the pipes is more than likely just a mess that has accumulated over a very very long period of time.
Spend some of your time and clean the inside and outside of each of your 4 tailpipes with a rag soaked in gasoline or regular ol' paint thinner. Then get some fine grade steel wool and rub inside and outside the pipes real good until they look good again.
It will make a BIG difference !
Then you can keep an eye on them and see if they are getting oily or sooty again ... My thought is that they will then stay pretty clean for pretty reasonable amount of time indicating that you have no problem.
Time for you to get to work ....... Post the before and after photos of those tail pipes.
Clean the car and check the oil. There may be no problem. But this way you'll know.
Modern day philosopher,
Sometimes it's better to be the one who searches for answers to a stupid question, than to be the one who asks the stupid questions.
Originally Posted by KingCorvette93
Dude... who cares? That's why I joined this forum: to ask questions that I'm not sure about, regardless if you think they are stupid or not. Quite frankly, I just don't care. If you think it's stupid and not worth your time, then just move along - skip it. Let the engaging and friendly people help me out, then (which they clearly have!).
I really don't care. I was just giving you some worldly advice. Sometimes it's good to research rather than ask. If someone asks too many stupid questions, it's not long before they are regarded as stupid.
And no need to skip this thread, since I am finding it somewhat comical and entertaining.
Modern day philosopher,
Sometimes it's better to be the one who searches for answers to a stupid question, than to be the one who asks the stupid questions.
1) I think it's somewhat reasonable to trust that a car has enough oil in it when you buy it from an established dealership.
2) Plus, I think the oil deficiency is from a leak, not from the dealership shorting the car on oil.
1) Trust but verify.
2) Post photos of the ground where you've been parking this car. Also post photos of the chassis and floor pans. With these, I will tell you IF you have a leak. You haven't had the car that long so spotting an oil leak large enough to lose at least a quart of oil should be so easy to see, even for Ray Charles.
I bought the car from a Chevrolet dealership, and they said they changed the oil. I am due for the next oil change at 66k, according to the reminder slip. Definitely possible that they only put 5 quarts in it... We all know there are goofballs in the dealership bureaucracy. I just didn't think to check when buying the car; figured it would be fine... Who sells a car with low oil?!
After purchasing the car, I had a general inspection done at a nice Corvette shop, to keep me abreast of any future maintenance (1.5k - 2k miles ago?). They said the oil level was ok!! (Maybe they didn't really check?)
I park in a parking garage - and not the same spot every day - so it is hard to tell for sure if there is a leak simply by looking at the ground. That being said, I have never seen any obvious drip spots.
Just for reference, the engine sounds good - no ticks, bangs, or clinks that might come from a very low oil situation.
So the inspection at the Corvette shop included a look see for oil leaks I assume. And oil level was okay.................................... ..... Interesting.
NO way, man! Just no way. Next you'll tell us that you checked the oil before you put up 3K miles.
No way what?
Car is washed every two weeks, sometimes more frequently... but I never cleaned the pipes. I did so yesterday, though.
I've had the car two months... give it a rest.
The actual issue is that I didn't check the oil - my fault. I will be sure to do so quite often, now. I am thankful that the car has a warning system that warms before it's too late!
Thread is done now.
Thanks -
Last edited by KingCorvette93; 02-28-2019 at 06:24 PM.
02-26-2019, 03:16 PM
