R C

My 2001 has 500 miles now and I noticed that as it idled in the garage while warming up, it threw a pretty contant amount of carbon out the tail pipes. I had carbon deposits all over the floor and was really surprised to see the engine burn so dirty. It runs well and idles smoothly but thought it strange to see an engine reputed to be so "clean burning" give off appreciable carbon. Anyone have a similar experience or explanation? R C

HopkintonMA

Have the same thing happen to mine....burned about a quart of oil in 1800 miles...dont know if they are related or not.

R C

I added oil for the first time just yesterday and noticed that is was down about a third of a quart. The Honda service technician showed me at the time of delivery that the oil dip stick indicated full. R C

Muz

Mine had black sooty residue on the tail pipes for the first few thousand kilometres during which time it burnt a bit of oil. This has since ceased.

Allan Haggai

I believe the soot is associated with oil use during break in. The sooty deposits on the back of my car ceased when my oil consumption ceased at 2,000 miles.

R C

Thanks for the info. I was getting concerned but now realize it's just part of this engine's break-in characteristics. I've bought several new Hondas but must admit that I've never seen one have such a distinctive break-in pattern. The Stook is truly a unique Honda.

jguerdat

I've had such deposits on my VTEC Preludes - not exactly pretty. I would also get carbon build-up in the exhaust pipe until I ran it through the gears - then I'd leave a blast of black soot hanging n the air. However, it would manifest itself leaving sooty spots all over the rear surfaces near the tail pipes. This I haven't noticed with the S2K with 4k miles on it. I hope it remains this way since it's a pain keeping the rear clean while the ret of the car is fine...

Utah S2K

The soot is cuased by oil burning as previously noted. As the "skirt seal", on the piston, seats; you will notice a reduction in oil consumption and a reduction in sooting. The time of propr seating of the seal varies depending on the actual break-in process.