What the?!?! Sparks!

DaveNay · Mar 31, 2005

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 · Mar 31, 2005

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 · Mar 31, 2005

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 · Mar 31, 2005

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 · Apr 1, 2005

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 · Apr 1, 2005

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 · Apr 1, 2005

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!