Pipes look funny....ANSWERS PLEASE? - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

djdskzl · 01-18-2013, 08:27 PM

So ive had my 2006 BMW 325i sedan for about 3 years now, bought it used, seemed like the previous owner was a dick and didnt know how to take care of his stuff, anyways, long story short, i look at my exhaust pipes this morning and i notice that 1 pipe is a lot darker than the other, im not a mechanical genius but im just wondering if anyone could help me out and tell me what might be the problem before taking it in to get looked at and get money sucked out of my wallet for the obvious, id rather just get the right info and just go for it (FIXING WISE) so any info would be appreciated.

Heres a picture to help.

07lilredwagon · 01-20-2013, 09:27 PM

Is the car running okay?...It could be a condition of a rich mixture during warm up....or something more "serious"...and by serious I mean "getting older" and maybe burning some oil, but to me it looks more like unburnt fuel residue that anythings else...but why just the one pipe?

hmmm....partially plugged catalytic converter?....I would think you should be getting codes....mabybe an O2 sensor?

Can you give us more to go on?

JP

djdskzl · 01-20-2013, 11:13 PM

well the car runs fine, the only code i get is the red code/picture of a car on a lift, as far as anything else, the car runs in tip top shape, i usually warm my car up for a good 5 minutes before actually driving it to make sure the oil is nice an warm since its like 30-40 degrees where i live, both pipes are blowing air out of it, its just the one thats turning black, thats pretty much all the info i can really give as far as what im experiencing

Jgcdude1 · 01-22-2013, 01:03 PM

Is your butterfly valve closed? If so, you should notice that the dirtier pipe should be the one that doesn't contain a valve on it. Same situation on my 335, valve side is cleaner.

mAdTYzz · 01-23-2013, 03:48 PM

Does the 325i have a valve on the exhaust?

Boxtyp3 · 01-23-2013, 03:53 PM

Do the golf tee mod.

djdskzl · 01-24-2013, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boxtyp3

Do the golf tee mod.

where can i get a Golf Tee Mod? Is there any particular brand thats good? also are they easy to install?

djdskzl · 01-24-2013, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mAdTYzz

Does the 325i have a valve on the exhaust?

Honestly i have no idea, i really wish i knew, im not to car savy but all signs points to yes.

Boxtyp3 · 01-24-2013, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djdskzl

where can i get a Golf Tee Mod? Is there any particular brand thats good? also are they easy to install?

There's nothing to buy. Search the DIY for the mod. Just have to disconect the actuator for the butterfly valve so both pipes are breathing equally. Sounds nice too!

mAdTYzz · 01-24-2013, 03:14 PM

does that work on the 325 also, i have the same car that's why i ask, although i read that we don't have what to plug out :-??

Boxtyp3 · 01-24-2013, 03:58 PM

Just go under the car and look if there's a hose connected to the muffler. You guy might wanna share a pix here so others can verify too.

E90 LCI · 01-24-2013, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boxtyp3

There's nothing to buy. Search the DIY for the mod. Just have to disconect the actuator for the butterfly valve so both pipes are breathing equally. Sounds nice too!

it's only for 335i

index1489 · 01-24-2013, 10:02 PM

There is a exhaust flap on one of the tailpipes that only opens after a certain engine RPM, if the car isn't revved very high past this point, no exhaust flows out of that pipe. Thats why one is more full of carbon then the other.

Boxtyp3 · 01-24-2013, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90 LCI

it's only for 335i

It could be, I'm not sure. But all signs points to that direction. What do you think could have caused that?

E90 LCI · 01-24-2013, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boxtyp3

It could be, I'm not sure. But all signs points to that direction. What do you think could have caused that?

I have no idea but golf tee mod is only for 335i. It prevents the flap in the right exhaust pipe from closing

Boxtyp3 · 01-25-2013, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90 LCI

I have no idea but golf tee mod is only for 335i. It prevents the flap in the right exhaust pipe from closing

Exactly what the picture shows right? The right side pipe has less carbon on it. But then again, I could be wrong. I'm just posting as what the picture shows.

pweber84 · 01-25-2013, 05:38 AM

There is nothing you should be worry about. It's typical for these cars. I suppose that you travel short distances.

01-18-2013, 08:27 PM	#1
djdskzl Private Drives: 2006 BMW 325i Sedan Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: seattle Posts: 53 iTrader: (0)	Pipes look funny....ANSWERS PLEASE? So ive had my 2006 BMW 325i sedan for about 3 years now, bought it used, seemed like the previous owner was a dick and didnt know how to take care of his stuff, anyways, long story short, i look at my exhaust pipes this morning and i notice that 1 pipe is a lot darker than the other, im not a mechanical genius but im just wondering if anyone could help me out and tell me what might be the problem before taking it in to get looked at and get money sucked out of my wallet for the obvious, id rather just get the right info and just go for it (FIXING WISE) so any info would be appreciated. Heres a picture to help. Attached Images
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01-22-2013, 01:03 PM	#4
Jgcdude1 the bees knees! Drives: 335i E93 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Covina Posts: 239 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2003 E46 325Ci [0.00] 2008 E92 328i [0.00] 2011 E93 335i [0.00]	Is your butterfly valve closed? If so, you should notice that the dirtier pipe should be the one that doesn't contain a valve on it. Same situation on my 335, valve side is cleaner. __________________ 335i E93 Le Mans Blue/BMW Performance Shifter 328i E92 Space Gray/BMW Performance Shifter/M-tech Lip/LED Halos 325Ci E46 Titanium Silver

01-24-2013, 10:02 PM	#13
index1489 Major Drives: Out of warranty BMW Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 1,366 iTrader: (3)	There is a exhaust flap on one of the tailpipes that only opens after a certain engine RPM, if the car isn't revved very high past this point, no exhaust flows out of that pipe. Thats why one is more full of carbon then the other. __________________ Gotta pay to play. WTB OEM Headunit E90/E92/E93 08+

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01-20-2013, 09:27 PM	#2
07lilredwagon Lieutenant Drives: 07 328 wagon Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: New York Posts: 408 iTrader: (0)	Is the car running okay?...It could be a condition of a rich mixture during warm up....or something more "serious"...and by serious I mean "getting older" and maybe burning some oil, but to me it looks more like unburnt fuel residue that anythings else...but why just the one pipe? hmmm....partially plugged catalytic converter?....I would think you should be getting codes....mabybe an O2 sensor? Can you give us more to go on? JP

01-20-2013, 11:13 PM	#3
djdskzl Private Drives: 2006 BMW 325i Sedan Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: seattle Posts: 53 iTrader: (0)	well the car runs fine, the only code i get is the red code/picture of a car on a lift, as far as anything else, the car runs in tip top shape, i usually warm my car up for a good 5 minutes before actually driving it to make sure the oil is nice an warm since its like 30-40 degrees where i live, both pipes are blowing air out of it, its just the one thats turning black, thats pretty much all the info i can really give as far as what im experiencing

01-23-2013, 03:48 PM	#5
mAdTYzz Enlisted Member Drives: 2006 E90 325i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sweden Posts: 42 iTrader: (0)	Does the 325i have a valve on the exhaust?

01-23-2013, 03:53 PM	#6
Boxtyp3 Captain Drives: E82AW N54/ e92 BSM N55 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 702 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 135i [0.00] 2013 E92 335i [0.00]	Do the golf tee mod.

01-24-2013, 03:14 PM	#10
mAdTYzz Enlisted Member Drives: 2006 E90 325i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sweden Posts: 42 iTrader: (0)	does that work on the 325 also, i have the same car that's why i ask, although i read that we don't have what to plug out :-??

01-24-2013, 03:58 PM	#11
Boxtyp3 Captain Drives: E82AW N54/ e92 BSM N55 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 702 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 135i [0.00] 2013 E92 335i [0.00]	Just go under the car and look if there's a hose connected to the muffler. You guy might wanna share a pix here so others can verify too.

01-25-2013, 05:38 AM	#17
pweber84 First Lieutenant Drives: BMW 330d e91 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Berlin, Germany / PL, Posen Posts: 333 iTrader: (2)	There is nothing you should be worry about. It's typical for these cars. I suppose that you travel short distances.