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What would cause black smoke to come from the tailpipe of a 97 Chevy Cavalier?

1. Fuel injector issues: Leaking or faulty fuel injectors can cause too much fuel to be introduced into the engine, leading to incomplete combustion and black smoke emission.

2. Faulty oxygen sensors: Oxygen sensors monitor the amount of oxygen in the exhaust system and send signals to the engine control unit (ECU) to adjust the fuel-air mixture. Faulty oxygen sensors can provide incorrect readings, causing the ECU to adjust the fuel mixture incorrectly, resulting in black smoke.

3. Clogged air filter: A clogged air filter restricts airflow to the engine, leading to incomplete fuel combustion and black smoke emission.

4. Worn-out spark plugs: Worn-out spark plugs can cause incomplete combustion, resulting in black smoke.

5. Piston ring problems: Worn or damaged piston rings can allow oil to leak into the combustion chamber, causing black smoke.

6. Faulty EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) valve: The EGR valve helps reduce emissions by recirculating a portion of exhaust gas back into the engine. If the EGR valve is faulty, it may not function properly, causing black smoke emission.

7. Turbocharger issues: If the car has a turbocharger, problems such as a faulty wastegate or a damaged turbocharger can cause black smoke emission.