Need help, CL55 blows carbon from the exhaust
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 355
Likes: 2
From: Dinwiddie, VA
SL55, CL55, Range Rover, Lexus LX470
Need help, CL55 blows carbon from the exhaust
Hello, I was wondering if one of you could help me figure out why my 04 CL55 is blowing black carbon all over my exhaust tips and rear bumper. It looks real distaste full for a benz. 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,838
Likes: 7
G55, SLS, smart eq
In the case of black tips: That's normal. I have an SL55 and S55 and they are completely black. I cleaned them the other day, which looks fresh, but in no time they go black again.
I believe AMGs (the 55K engines) run a tad rich and that is the cause.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 355
Likes: 2
From: Dinwiddie, VA
SL55, CL55, Range Rover, Lexus LX470
You mean you have black tips or is there actually lumps of carbon flying out the exhaust?
In the case of black tips: That's normal. I have an SL55 and S55 and they are completely black. I cleaned them the other day, which looks fresh, but in no time they go black again.
I believe AMGs (the 55K engines) run a tad rich and that is the cause.
In the case of black tips: That's normal. I have an SL55 and S55 and they are completely black. I cleaned them the other day, which looks fresh, but in no time they go black again.
I believe AMGs (the 55K engines) run a tad rich and that is the cause.
Really! I dont like that, my SL55 doesn't do that. Yea my tips are all dirty black, I like the shiny chrome look.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,566
Likes: 7
'14 ML BT
Mine have looked nasty over the past few months as well.
I've come to the conclusion that it's because the car runs rich to start with and the winter blend gas that we get here in DFW. That might not be true, but it's convenient.
I've come to the conclusion that it's because the car runs rich to start with and the winter blend gas that we get here in DFW. That might not be true, but it's convenient.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,838
Likes: 7
G55, SLS, smart eq
Yes it will. Just give it some time 
Polish it off with aluminium polish or something. It's a ***** getting it off, but when finished you'll feel good again, until they turn completely black again in 1.000 miles.
It's not the gas. I always pump high quality Shell V-Power (98 oct. with cleaning additives) and I've got the same. My guess is it just runs rich all the time.
Yea my tips are all dirty black, I like the shiny chrome look.
It's not the gas. I always pump high quality Shell V-Power (98 oct. with cleaning additives) and I've got the same. My guess is it just runs rich all the time.
Last edited by sprins; Feb 16, 2008 at 07:03 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 355
Likes: 2
From: Dinwiddie, VA
SL55, CL55, Range Rover, Lexus LX470
I'm taking the damn car to the dealer next week, i'm pissed off right about now because even if it's running rich that needs to be fixed. I always make fun of people who have those ricey cars and when they get on it all kinds of black smoke spitts out of their exhaust. Thanks you all for your input.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 2
2007 S600
Listen guys. I found (by accident) that the best thing in the world to get rid of the carbon residue off of chrome/paint is a product that you can buy at Home Depot called "Soot Out". It is designed to clean outdoor grills but I discovered that it gets the blue sooty appearance and carbon buildup off of chrome in seconds!!!! Simply spray it on your chrome tips, let it sit for about 15 seconds, and the soot just falls off. I would reserve using it on paint but I tried it and quickly rinsed it off with soap and water and their appears to have been no damage done. No matter which you put it on, paint or chrome, have soap and water quickly ready to wash everything off immediately after using.
I keep it handy just for cleaning my chrome tips and they look new all the time. Cleans dust off of wheels very quickly.
I keep it handy just for cleaning my chrome tips and they look new all the time. Cleans dust off of wheels very quickly.
Trending Topics
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 381
Likes: 0
CLK63 Black Series
That "Soot Out" stuff sounds like a time saver, but as you said, be VERY cautious around painted surfaces. Don't forget that your wheels are coated with a clear coat and should be cleaned with the same sort of care that you would give to the exterior paint. If you leave a strong cleaner on the wheels for an extended period of time, or apply it when the wheels are hot, you MAY damage the clear coating on the wheels. BE CAREFUL!
By the way, I have the same sort of black carbon build-up on the lower portion of my exhaust tips on my CLK63 Black Series and my CL55. I never gave it a second thought, just thought it was the result of the engines just loafing along at low revs most of the time. Now, if it were there after extended 100+ mph runs, I'd be concerned . . . but, I also probably be incarcerated, the way the enforcement of the speeds limit has increased in my area.
JDB
By the way, I have the same sort of black carbon build-up on the lower portion of my exhaust tips on my CLK63 Black Series and my CL55. I never gave it a second thought, just thought it was the result of the engines just loafing along at low revs most of the time. Now, if it were there after extended 100+ mph runs, I'd be concerned . . . but, I also probably be incarcerated, the way the enforcement of the speeds limit has increased in my area.
JDB
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 2
2007 S600
That "Soot Out" stuff sounds like a time saver, but as you said, be VERY cautious around painted surfaces. Don't forget that your wheels are coated with a clear coat and should be cleaned with the same sort of care that you would give to the exterior paint. If you leave a strong cleaner on the wheels for an extended period of time, or apply it when the wheels are hot, you MAY damage the clear coating on the wheels. BE CAREFUL!
It is very strong but I never saw/see any damage to my chrome on both my motorcycle exhaust tips nor my MB. I think getting it off very quickly is why.
The active ingredient I believe is potassium hydroxide.
Last edited by trumpet1; Feb 17, 2008 at 04:28 AM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 355
Likes: 2
From: Dinwiddie, VA
SL55, CL55, Range Rover, Lexus LX470
Thank you all for the input and i'll be buying me some of that tommorrow, but aren't u guys concerned with why it's doing that in the first place? Cars are not suppossed to run rich and blow all of that gook out, it looks like the stuff Doc Holiday had in the 19th century
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 2
2007 S600
Thank you all for the input and i'll be buying me some of that tommorrow, but aren't u guys concerned with why it's doing that in the first place? Cars are not suppossed to run rich and blow all of that gook out, it looks like the stuff Doc Holiday had in the 19th century
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,838
Likes: 7
G55, SLS, smart eq
My neighbour has a Carrera RS (964) that burns fuel rather nicely. Hit exhaust tips are always clean no matter how hard he drives it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 2
2007 S600
Sounds like you're using the correct grade. If it were me, I would experiment on a few tank fulls with lower octane grade just to see if the carbon diminishes or worsens. Not that I would continue that change, just for experimental purposes only.
What "sprins" said makes sense too. The higher octane fuel detonates with more resistance. Makes you wonder if the engine may need to run hotter
If your dealer doesn't give you a satisfactory answer, you may want to talk to Bob at Renntech. He may have some insight into this.
Have you compared your car to other ones like it in your area? If they all are doing it, maybe it is normal. I don't know. I just know mine smokes a tad right after startup. I was told this is normal.
What "sprins" said makes sense too. The higher octane fuel detonates with more resistance. Makes you wonder if the engine may need to run hotter
If your dealer doesn't give you a satisfactory answer, you may want to talk to Bob at Renntech. He may have some insight into this.
Have you compared your car to other ones like it in your area? If they all are doing it, maybe it is normal. I don't know. I just know mine smokes a tad right after startup. I was told this is normal.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 253
most factory blown cars run rich to be on the safe side. this is normal. some run reach-er then others. this is also normal. i've seen most amg cars running close to 11:1 a/f under medium acceleration. this will cause soothing.
running rich minimizes leaning out under boost that can have catastrophic results due to detonation (read - pistons cant be used even for ashtrays
this is also done to provide a safety zone in case you run a tank of lower-octane gas that might cause detonations.
you should not be concerned.
alex
few cars
running rich minimizes leaning out under boost that can have catastrophic results due to detonation (read - pistons cant be used even for ashtrays
this is also done to provide a safety zone in case you run a tank of lower-octane gas that might cause detonations.
you should not be concerned.
alex
few cars
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 355
Likes: 2
From: Dinwiddie, VA
SL55, CL55, Range Rover, Lexus LX470
most factory blown cars run rich to be on the safe side. this is normal. some run reach-er then others. this is also normal. i've seen most amg cars running close to 11:1 a/f under medium acceleration. this will cause soothing.
running rich minimizes leaning out under boost that can have catastrophic results due to detonation (read - pistons cant be used even for ashtrays
this is also done to provide a safety zone in case you run a tank of lower-octane gas that might cause detonations.
you should not be concerned.
alex
few cars
running rich minimizes leaning out under boost that can have catastrophic results due to detonation (read - pistons cant be used even for ashtrays
this is also done to provide a safety zone in case you run a tank of lower-octane gas that might cause detonations.
you should not be concerned.
alex
few cars
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 11
From: Gulf Coast but not Florida
GLK350, SL63 AMG
try techron
I'd try a big bottle of Techron every other tank of gas. I use it here and my carbon problem is not as bad as what you describe by any means.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
From: P'cola, FL
'03 E55
I'm taking the damn car to the dealer next week, i'm pissed off right about now because even if it's running rich that needs to be fixed. I always make fun of people who have those ricey cars and when they get on it all kinds of black smoke spitts out of their exhaust. Thanks you all for your input.
I also laugh when cars belch black smoke on full throttle, so I'm kind of paranoid about my car being one of them. My E55 is closing in on 60k miles and the tips have always blackened. A couple of weeks ago my wife was behind me in traffic so I floored it to see if anything was amiss. She saw no smoke nor smelled anything out of the ordinary, so I don't think we have anything to worry about.
