Sparks from the exhaust

sunsetorange · 12th January 2009, 11:58

Hi.... This is regarding my dad's Mercedes Benz 300D. It was standing in the garage as usual last month (during the torrential rains) and the exhaust was partially under water for the better part of 2 days. I had cleaned it thoroughly and started it. To its credit, it started without a hitch and was spewing out black water from the exhaust for a few seconds.

Later on that evening, I took it out for a short trip. I was stopped by a motorcyclist, who brought to my attention that the exhaust was spewing sparks. I came home with the car and parked it again. I asked some of my friends if they have experienced something similar, to which they replied in the negative.

Can you suggest what might be the problem..?

gd1418 · 12th January 2009, 13:07

Seems strange. Never heard. There is some other thread somewhere about sparks coming from engine and then the owner is conned. Ask a trusted person to follow behind and then drive and see if sparks still come from exhaust. If so, get it checked or else have good night's sleep...

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunsetorange

Hi.... This is regarding my dad's Mercedes Benz 300D. It was standing in the garage as usual last month (during the torrential rains) and the exhaust was partially under water for the better part of 2 days. I had cleaned it thoroughly and started it. To its credit, it started without a hitch and was spewing out black water from the exhaust for a few seconds.

Later on that evening, I took it out for a short trip. I was stopped by a motorcyclist, who brought to my attention that the exhaust was spewing sparks. I came home with the car and parked it again. I asked some of my friends if they have experienced something similar, to which they replied in the negative.

Can you suggest what might be the problem..?

chiragh_bir · 12th January 2009, 16:43

change spark plugs & see

vikram_d · 12th January 2009, 16:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiragh_bir

change spark plugs & see

What do sparks from the exhaust have to do with spark plugs.

I think this was one of the those scam type situations which GD sir has mentioned.

aka_iitd · 12th January 2009, 16:47

Firstly I thought spark cars are coming

It happened once with my bike and when I went to the service center they said some oil has come along with the water and since exhaust becomes very hot so whenever oils is thrown out with water it catches fire due to heat. He said it will go in 5 10 KM ride otherwise he asked me to remove the exhaust etc. I preferred the 1st option and it was not throwing sparks after 6 7 KM I guess as no one complaint about it on road.

Technocrat · 12th January 2009, 16:57

Correct me if I am wrong but 300D was a Diesel so no scope for Spark Plugs

Did that Motorist suggest you to help out?

Could be a con guy like GD said

Raccoon · 12th January 2009, 17:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by aka_iitd

Firstly I thought spark cars are coming

It happened once with my bike and when I went to the service center they said some oil has come along with the water and since exhaust becomes very hot so whenever oils is thrown out with water it catches fire due to heat. He said it will go in 5 10 KM ride otherwise he asked me to remove the exhaust etc. I preferred the 1st option and it was not throwing sparks after 6 7 KM I guess as no one complaint about it on road.

Which bike was this?? If it was a 4 stroker, no oil should be coming out of the exhaust. Even if it was a 2 stroker, no 2t oil should have a flash point so low that it will burn like that in the exhaust.

Never saw any sparking exhaust, yet!

Eddy · 12th January 2009, 17:54

Please hope and pray that it was this that happened

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/street...et-fooled.html

aka_iitd · 12th January 2009, 18:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raccoon

Which bike was this?? If it was a 4 stroker, no oil should be coming out of the exhaust. Even if it was a 2 stroker, no 2t oil should have a flash point so low that it will burn like that in the exhaust.

Never saw any sparking exhaust, yet!

It was a 2 stroke and the exhaust pipe was oily. The reason was given by the the service guy(local workshop). I never saw sparks coming out. It was pointed out by some person on road.

gd1418 · 12th January 2009, 22:15

Benz 300d with spark plugs?

Must be a new technology that I'm not aware off.

Never listened to mother when she used to rant about getting general knowledge..

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiragh_bir

change spark plugs & see

Chiragh, no offence meant though...

16v100bhp · 13th January 2009, 04:58

Couldn't it be the cats coming apart?

gr8guzzler · 13th January 2009, 07:32

If the car has been idle for long, It must be due to Carbon flaking and burning. Just accelerate and see if any deposits are coming out of the exhaust.

bblost · 13th January 2009, 07:38

Seen it happens on bikes running real rich.
My friend installed a free flow on his RE 500.
The sparks were a sight to see.

Most commonly seen this on TVS 50.

On a Merc. Now that would be very interesting.

chiragh_bir · 13th January 2009, 10:05

oops that's a diesel vehicle.. my bad

BaCkSeAtDrIVeR · 13th January 2009, 11:04

I have seen sparks / fire coming out of diesel engines due to:-

1. Bad timing.
2. Fuel pump requiring overhaul.

<for ashok leyland 370 engine>
On one occasion, I found that the "key" between the pulley driving the pump and the shaft on which the pulley is kept had corroded, resulting in the pulley rotating freely, without causing the pump to work in tandem. This was messing up the timing, and the engine "died" after spewing out fire. The "key" cost a mere 5 rupees, and we were back to work after 2 hours taking out the pump, and putting in the new key.

12th January 2009, 11:58	#1
sunsetorange BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chennai/ Trichy Posts: 456 Thanked: 325 Times	Sparks from the exhaust Hi.... This is regarding my dad's Mercedes Benz 300D. It was standing in the garage as usual last month (during the torrential rains) and the exhaust was partially under water for the better part of 2 days. I had cleaned it thoroughly and started it. To its credit, it started without a hitch and was spewing out black water from the exhaust for a few seconds. Later on that evening, I took it out for a short trip. I was stopped by a motorcyclist, who brought to my attention that the exhaust was spewing sparks. I came home with the car and parked it again. I asked some of my friends if they have experienced something similar, to which they replied in the negative. Can you suggest what might be the problem..?
	() Thanks

12th January 2009, 16:43	#3
chiragh_bir Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In front of you :P Posts: 1,123 Thanked: 74 Times View My Garage	change spark plugs & see
	() Thanks

12th January 2009, 16:47	#5
aka_iitd BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 630 Thanked: 45 Times	Firstly I thought spark cars are coming It happened once with my bike and when I went to the service center they said some oil has come along with the water and since exhaust becomes very hot so whenever oils is thrown out with water it catches fire due to heat. He said it will go in 5 10 KM ride otherwise he asked me to remove the exhaust etc. I preferred the 1st option and it was not throwing sparks after 6 7 KM I guess as no one complaint about it on road. Last edited by aka_iitd : 12th January 2009 at 17:04.
	() Thanks

12th January 2009, 16:57	#6
Technocrat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: GTA Posts: 14,813 Thanked: 2,700 Times	Correct me if I am wrong but 300D was a Diesel so no scope for Spark Plugs Did that Motorist suggest you to help out? Could be a con guy like GD said
	() Thanks

12th January 2009, 17:54	#8
Eddy Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 9,387 Thanked: 13,301 Times	Please hope and pray that it was this that happened http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/street...et-fooled.html
	() Thanks

13th January 2009, 04:58	#11
16v100bhp BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Middletown CT USA Posts: 329 Thanked: 11 Times View My Garage	Couldn't it be the cats coming apart?
	() Thanks

13th January 2009, 07:32	#12
gr8guzzler BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navi Mumbai Posts: 653 Thanked: 87 Times View My Garage	If the car has been idle for long, It must be due to Carbon flaking and burning. Just accelerate and see if any deposits are coming out of the exhaust.
	() Thanks

13th January 2009, 07:38	#13
bblost Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 11,008 Thanked: 15,353 Times View My Garage	Seen it happens on bikes running real rich. My friend installed a free flow on his RE 500. The sparks were a sight to see. Most commonly seen this on TVS 50. On a Merc. Now that would be very interesting.
	() Thanks

13th January 2009, 10:05	#14
chiragh_bir Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In front of you :P Posts: 1,123 Thanked: 74 Times View My Garage	oops that's a diesel vehicle.. my bad Last edited by chiragh_bir : 13th January 2009 at 10:07.
	() Thanks

13th January 2009, 11:04	#15
BaCkSeAtDrIVeR BANNED Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kochi Posts: 2,522 Thanked: 752 Times	I have seen sparks / fire coming out of diesel engines due to:- 1. Bad timing. 2. Fuel pump requiring overhaul. <for ashok leyland 370 engine> On one occasion, I found that the "key" between the pulley driving the pump and the shaft on which the pulley is kept had corroded, resulting in the pulley rotating freely, without causing the pump to work in tandem. This was messing up the timing, and the engine "died" after spewing out fire. The "key" cost a mere 5 rupees, and we were back to work after 2 hours taking out the pump, and putting in the new key.
	() Thanks