Fleche

Not sure if this is normal or not, if you look at the picture, I cleaned the tail pipe before driving, after 100 miles or so, there's already a fair amount of carbon deposit on there. The shiny spot is where I run my finger over.

IKnowNot'ing

Mine has that deposit too. It usually is the tell tale sign of (over-)rich running. In the case of the RX8, could just be oil.
Some RX7 owners could maybe confirm this?

Baller

Even after "L" and "M" flash I still get this, but it is less.

The Baller

Racer X-8

Yep, very normal. Not to worry.

niadvance

yeah mine get filthy also. still love my car though.

KC_Prelude

Clean the tailpipe as well as you can and then wax it and it will be easier to clean in the future.

livitup

Totally normal.

I keep a bottle of Armor All Cleaning Wipes (they come in a purple tub) in the trunk. They cut straight through that gunk. I usually wipe down the tail pipes every couple days, it only takes a few seconds. It will get all over your hands though, if you're not careful.

The wipies are useful for one million other things too. Wiping down the interior, rims, etc. etc. etc.

---A

takahashi

someone told me to use wheel cleaner in the forum...

swoope

iTrader: (5)

dont think it is from running rich, think it is from the extra oil injected to protect the apex seals.

m flash good.

beers

6speed8

Clean the tips, especially on the inside, then use a good metal polish ( I use Nevr-Dull). The tips will stay cleaner longer and when they do get dirty, just a quick wipe with a wet paper towel and they are clean.

TAS

It is the same as mine. The mazda guy says it is the oil coming through. This car "uses" oil differently than cars that "burn" oil. According to the MG the rotary will pass oil all the way through the tailpipe. In this type of engine it is normal, expected and needed.

TAS

Fleche

Thanks for everyone's input, I can rest easy a bit now.
This is my first rotory car, but with my other cars, there's vert little black residues in the pipe.

Smoker

Lots of the RX-7 owner recommends use dish detergent to get them clean. Which make sense since dish soap grabs and removes oily substance pretty well.

Katchoo

I just tacked on a set of old Mack truck diesel smoke stacks out the back. That took care of the problem.

I will say that it looked sort-a funny until I added a spoiler stretching between the two stacks...now it ALMOST looks like an old Dodge Daytona/Plymouth Superbird with the high wing.

Chevy

Looks normal, all engines do it, some take longer then others.

Racer X-8

I just grab 2 paper towels for when mine gets her shower, dedicated for one purpose only... one per exhaust pipe. Try to use just one & you're gonna get that nasty stuff on your hand & it doesn't come off very easily.

It wipes right off for me. Then, at least it's clean enough to go over with your soapy rag to really clean them without worrying about ruining the rag. The rag is for them, the wheels & wheel wells, btw. This is the first car that I actually have been reaching into the wheel wells to keep them clean - the black plastic stuff. Gotta keep her in showroom condition, don'chya know...

SikRedRX-8

Nothing works better then 0 grade steel wool. It comes right off and shines so nice and it doesn't really come back either. Try it, it is awsome.

DavisRx8

Just out of curiosity, won't steel wool - regardless of what grade - scratch up the pipes ?

nosubstitutec4s

yah what he said

MEGAREDS

The old-time rotary guys apparently have been calling it "smoot." Try the search button using that term as a key word.

SikRedRX-8

no it will not scratch it at all. I have been using it forever and not a single scratch.