Hi,
I've had a 5 yr old Twinair for a few months now. Low mileage and recently serviced.
A few weeks back, I cleaned the carbon off the tailpipe, assuming the last driver had only used it for short trips.
However, the soot is back and it smells a bit rich on start up.
Even if the car hadn't been serviced, I'd expect the ECU to adjust the mixture.
Any thoughts on this issue?
Cheers

Sounds pretty normal to me at least perhaps others will differ?

I'm sure I've read something about Twinair's being rich at start up, and that it's something that is corrected with a remap. Might be worth a Google.

2011 85TA Lounge owner here. (and wonderfully happy with it too)
Bought at 3yrs old and 14,000miles.
Now done 26,500miles.

Exhaust is fine at start up and clean generally, and no rich smell evident.

Mick.

Remember all cars even with modern fuel injection will smell rich at start up in the cold.

Yes, I'm not too concerned with the smell, but I thought it might be relevant.

I've noticed a few 500s with sooty tail pipes.

I'm not particularly freaking about it, but I'd say it's excessive. It's all around the chrome trim, and not just inside.

Perhaps it's the chrome trim that catches it, and makes it noticeable (??)

The only wild guess I could make is unburnt fuel on shut down. (Yes, I'm grasping at straws.)

John202020 said:

Remember all cars even with modern fuel injection will smell rich at start up in the cold.

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Can't say I've ever noticed that since my carburettor and choke days.

Mick.

A freezing cold engine still needs a slightly rich mixture for the first 30 seconds or so.

I've just walked through an undeground car park, and things were quite fumey.
Not like the old days, but pretty pungent.

John202020 said:

A freezing cold engine still needs a slightly rich mixture for the first 30 seconds or so.

Click to expand...

Of course they do, but it's not noticeable these days as the engine management works it all out so there's not much waste ............ or there shouldn't be.

loserscar said:

I've just walked through an undeground car park, and things were quite fumey.
Not like the old days, but pretty pungent.

Click to expand...

That's because of the many - 50% or more? - diesel engines that folk seem to want to buy.
Awful things.

Mick.

Tailpipes are normally sooty these days.
When we had leaded fuel, the tailpipe was grey inside. This was caused by the lead. Without the lead, we just get the soot from normal combustion.

Twinairs basically always run rich, hence the soot.

My R32 Skyline is another car known for running rich, after a couple of weeks the whole bumper and tail light get covered

UFI said:

Twinairs basically always run rich, hence the soot.

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FIAT has admitted that the Euro 5 TwinAir needed a massive enrichment at higher engine loads just to cool the turbo. The exhaust tip of a 500 with Euro 6 TwinAir also gets black, but much slower.

The 2012 500 TwinAir my Parents owned for 3 years from new had a sooty tailpipe. It always appeared to run rich, but we never had any associated problems, or any problems to speak of with it, so we just ignored it. The black all over the chrome exhaust tip was a bit of a shame though!

I'd not let it worry you, as you're more likely the norm rather than the exception.

JTD_Liam said:

The 2012 500 TwinAir my Parents owned for 3 years from new had a sooty tailpipe.

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Same with my 2012 TwinAir, from brand new.

My dog loves sniffing the exhaust pipe for some reason, must smell pretty good

Pretty much my experience too, apart from the dog that is. It's a real pain keeping the chrome clean as the stuff seems to get baked on.

Baked on carbon can be removed using "oven cleaner" works a treat on normal stainless steel and chrome, be careful it burns the skin(as it says on the box) wear safety goggles(so it doesn't get flicked into your eyes) and gloves.

John202020 said:

Baked on carbon can be removed using "oven cleaner" works a treat on normal stainless steel and chrome, be careful it burns the skin(as it says on the box) wear safety goggles(so it doesn't get flicked into your eyes) and gloves.

Click to expand...

Ta John, I'll give it a go.

Carb cleaner is a safer bet.

UFI said:

Carb cleaner is a safer bet.

Click to expand...

I agree but its less likely to be in the kitchen cupboard.