I just purchased a 1999 Disco II with 125k. Engine & tranny runs smooth. No noise, except for what appears to bea power steering whine or belt whine. It appears that it has been well maintained with service records. Anyway, my check engine light is on as well as the three amigos, but the three amigos go away and come back from time to time. I also noticed some black sooty stuff in the tail pipe. I probably would have never noticed it, but I had it running in the garage. Thefloor was a little wet back there from the rain, and I noticed some black carbon or soot floating on the surface like skim. I am not sure what is going on here. If I rev the engine up really good, I get a little dirty smoke. Sort of like it hasn't been opened up in a while.Is it carbon, oil, or what? Have any suggestions? Please help.

Thanks,

Wm

 

Black soot or smoke is from unburned fuel, very common.
First you need to go to your local auto parts store and have he codes read, write down the fault numbers and get back to me.
Better yet, get the info and then send me your tele number, I'll be glad to call you and walk you thru this.
Mike
mikeljacobs@comcast.net