Black dust all over the car

[Ricardobarro]

HI!

My 1982 380 SL produce a black dust all over the car from the front of the engine, muffler i mean anywhere i pass my finger this black dust is there.

Please advise on possible cause.

Thank you
Rick

[DEPRIEST]

Well, I'm no mechanic, but it sounds like your engine is running rich. You might have the air/fuel mixture adjusted. That car's not a diesel is it? If it's a diesel, that's the nature of the beast. If it's a gas motor, give her a tune up and I bet your mileage and preformance will improve.

[J.HIDALGO]

[Billybob]

"All over the front of the engine"? Under the hood? Could be a disintegrating drive belt! I had a seprentine belt that was running over a locked up AC compressor/clutch and I noticed that the top side of the belt was covered with very fine rubber particles. A closer examination showed the belt apparently was disintigrating from the heat and friction. You couldn't see this with the engine running, I noticed it when I shut it down. The belt was running over and around the locked up pulley!

I would assume any misalignment of pullies and belt could chew the belt apart also!

[pjtib]

Maybe it's a disintegrating hood pad. When they begin to dry out, they can really make a mess...