'95 V6 5 Spd. 211,800 miles.
I've only had this Dakota for a few weeks and only driven it for about 600 miles mostly around town. I drive it very easy and getting about 17 mpg.
My concern is that the exhaust pipes (it has duals from a flowmaster) are black and sooty. Drag your finger around inside the pipe and it gets a dry black power coating. Never any smoke, fuel or oil, and does not burn any oil. Sooo is this normal for a '95 model? I don't see this on my newer cars and if I were seeing this condition on my Harleys I would know they are running too rich. If too rich what is the cause and what is the solution? O2 sensor, computer, etc?
Thanks,
Dan

 

Sounds like your might be rich with the carbon build up. Yes the O2 sensor could be a cause, even if the check engine light isn't on it can be bad. A few other possibilities is a leaky fuel injector or to high fuel pressure regulator, incomplete spark.

 

Thanks Crazy....
Fuel pressure is about 40 psi. I'll run a can or two of Seafoam through her and also pull a few spark plugs and see what they look like. If anything interesting shows up I'll be back.
Dan