What the?!?! Sparks!

[DaveNay]

While driving back to the barn tonight after feeding the horses, I decided to turn the lights off and enjoy the clear starry night. I happened to look down at the exact moment that a shower of sparks were spit out of my exhaust pipe! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

What causes sparks from the exhaust, and what do I need to start looking at to make sure I don't damage the engine?

Thanks!

Dave

 

[DaveNay]

Hmmm.....nevermind, I did a search on the forums, and it appears that everyone thinks it is pretty normal.

Still, it was quite startling! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Dave

 

[Av8r3400]

I had an old 85 Chevy Blazer with the boat anchor 6.2 diesel in it. One night I looked at the mirror to see an amazing light show comming out of the tail pipes! Thought it was over for sure, but just a clod of soot coming out, that all. Quite normal.

 

[KiotiJohn]

Well! That was a quick fix. 6 minutes according to the time stamps on here! Yes, it's common. Just remember those sparks are there, and could ignite dry fodder, and should use caution around other flammables. John

 

[kensfarm]

I believe that's one of the reasons you see most "Ag" tractors w/ the exhaust pointing up.. if you are haying or in dry type vegitation w/ the muffler pointing down.. the possibility of starting a fire is greater. On my 35D the exhaust will burn/brown the section of grass in the summer if parked in one spot for a length of time.

 

[SkyPup]

OEM down pointing mufflers have a spark arrestor inside the muffler to keep sparks from flying out from excessive soot buildup, an easy way to prevent a major wildfire.

 

[slowzuki]

I was surprise one night driving the ag tractor we use to the neighbours to load a car for him. At full speed it was a continuous shower of sparks out the pipe and the manifold would begin to glow dull red.

That same tractor once lit a hayfield on fire when it was having some injection pump issues!

 

[chim]

Sounds like you were charging your flux capacitor.................chim