Fizzboy7

There was a Benz in my parking lot the other day that had such a nasty exhaust stain on the back, I had to take a pic. I remember seeing something similar back in the 80's on my neighbor's Mercedes. After several years of no wash, the entire rear of the car was black. Great stuff! So, is there a name to this exhaust weathering pattern? Can anyone top this one? I'd say the taillight was no longer see-thru here. Got to wonder at what point it becomes illegal and fix it ticket material.

bagwell

yum yum....nice....imagine driving behind this guy....fumes...yuck

mmarshall

Well, what you're seeing is one of the differences (among several) between the automotive diesels and diesel fuels of 30 years ago vs. the much cleaner ones we have today. Back then, even with the best diesels like those from Mercedes and Peugeot, black soot-particulates out the tailpipe were a significant problem.

RXSF

When people throw the argument that driving an older vehicle is more environmentally friendly than having a new one produced, it really makes me wonder if its true for an 80s diesel benz versus a modern day corolla or something

Fizzboy7

Are older diesel cars exempt from smog checks?

geko29

In Illinois at least, ALL diesel cars are exempt from smog checks.

bagwell

I see quite a few Jetta TDI's like this....

doge

The production of vehicle emits more pollution than the vehicle will over the course of its life. A 80's diesel that runs on bio diesel or wvo is a very clean vehicle.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Looks like Jetta had an accident

Fizzboy7

That is shocking to see on the modern VW. That company has jumped through hoops for the last six years stating how clean their new diesels are. I have never seen a dirty of smoking VW diesel myself (they just sound like crappy tractors though).

UDel

I have seen smoke stains on the bumper above the exhausts on several white first gen Hyundai Genesis sedans. Looks terrible.

doge

Keep in mind that some people will remove the cat and add a tune in hopes of getting more power and increasing MPG. The pick up truck guys do this all the time.

mmarshall

Well, today's TDI and Bluetec diesels pass most (though not necessarily all) of the emissions-regs across the U.S.