Did a search, didn't find anything.

Just noticed this today, there is a lot of soot buildup on my back bumper. The car never did this before.

My supercharged Corolla did this, because it ran rich.

My Type R is stock, no engine mods at all, except for K&N. Is it running rich? Maybe a bad O2? It's not throwing any codes, or none are showing up at least.

Ideas? Thanks!

 

Oil.

How much are you burning?

 

Not enough to be able to tell right now. Doesn't seem too excessive.

Is my cat gone? I've read that cats burn the excess fuel.

The car feels normal, maybe even a bit faster.

I pulled on a stock WRX recently, which I was never able to do

 

It very well could be fuel.Have you hooked the car up to a scanner to check and make sure everything in the fuel and exhaust system is working correctly?

 

No not yet, I'll have to borrow my friend's scanner next week. See if any codes are coming up.

Can you turn off a feature on the ECU that prevents the check engine light to turn on?

 

nope, but something like a fuel pressure regulator or a stuck injector or even a o2 sensor that is going bad can sometimes take a bit for the light to come on or not come on at all.And these could all lead to this problem. check the FPR and do a injector balance test. O2 sensor should show the code so i would start with that, but don't rule other things out, Go Fight Kill suggested oil so check that out as well

 

Thanks guys!

Will the ECU pick up a bad cat?

 

Mine does the same now I have pulled the cat, i know its running rich though im just waiting on some headers then will get it tuned.

 

It sure will code would be p0420 for a cat on most scanners.Use the search icon and you can find all the code definitions and helpful hints on diag. , lots of good info to be found in the FAQ's and search in the R forum

 

Thanks again, guys! I will look into everything you've suggested.

Is it possible for the cat to go bad all of a sudden? Seems like this was a pretty sudden change in the car's behaviour.

 

Lean is mean!!

 

Yea believe it or not cats are only designed to last about 80k. Thats why theres that crazy emissions warranty the government inforces .Because there usually crazy expensive. Put a front pipe in a 00' camry the other day list [price was 1500.00