Tailpipe soot

[Lincoln]

How much soot is normal/acceptable in our Passats? I read a thread in the emissions forum that was mostly about soot on 2010s being an indicator of a big problem. Is it okay to have some soot in the tailpipes of our 2012+ models? Mine is somewhat sooty at 35k miles. Like, enough to dirty a paper towel swiped on the inside, but not thick or dark. Does that mean I have a problem that just hasn't gotten bad enough yet to trigger a CEL or fault code?

 

[oilhammer]

It seems to me that the pipes on the CKRA engines in the NMS Passats are not as clean as the CBEA and CJAA engines in the Golf/Jetta/Beetle/Sportwagon/A3. So if your car is running OK, and has no MIL on, you should be alright.

 

[Lincoln]

Cool. Thanks oilhammer!

 

[pparks1]

Seems pretty normal to me. I have a 2013 and I can get paper towel dirty if I run it around the inside of my tailpipe. Figure with road grime, and water, and such from driving around in the summer/winter...a certain amount is going to happen.

 

[TurboDieselPoint]

Mine has done exactly what you describe for as long as I've had it. I picked up on the grey "soot" very early on and kept an eye on it, only to find that it hasn't worsened over time. Initially, I, too, was concerned about a leaky DPF that might eventually cause a CEL, but I've since concluded that the DPF is fine. I think the material collecting on the tailpipe is not soot but most likely harmless ash, since it is grey instead of the thick black associated with a compromised DPF.

Anyways, here's my old thread on the topic. I hope it helps ease your concern.

https://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=411574