<VV> Engine checking by the exhaust

[JVHRoberts at aol.com]

Anymore, the grey stuff is gone, since it was basically combusted lead 
residues. Getting a non black tailpipe on any stock Corvair is pretty much 
impossible. Oily, bad. black and dry, probably OK, but doesn't necessarily mean it's 
running rich all the time, just at startup, which it's supposed to do. 

In a message dated 4/26/2005 12:15:16 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
dmonasterio at megared.net.mx writes:
    I have been using, by many years, a rudimentary way to check the 
condition of an engine by finger testing the deposits at the exhaust pipe. Taking a 
sample with a finger I find:
1.- If there are only grey traces (almost nothing on the finger), the engine 
has a good combustion and no oil burning.
2.- If the deposits paint my finger with a black and dry coating, the engine 
is using excess of fuel but no oil burning.
3.- If deposits are black and sticky, means oil burning.

    I don't remember when started this way nor why but, would like to know if 
I am right or wrong. 

    Thanks

    Daniel Monasterio