Calling all MS3 Owners with smoking Turbos...

[mazdaspeed32007]

i brought mine 2 mazda and they couldnt re[plicate the smoking so i said **** this im just going to rentr a car and send my s*** to ken for a make over. its quicker than going back and forth 10 times and then them giving me a turbo that lasts only another 30k. then its fixed for good and i get a huge performance increase.

 

[lestat13]

Ouch, add me to the list. 10,000 on 2008.5 with catless downpipe, 3.5 tmic, intake, etc.

 

[turbo23]

I fail to believe this problem is still ongoing, and no one has a solid answer. I know I hear "turbo seals" But I would like to see proof of them being bad. I want to see a stock turbo taken apart, bearings inspected, different bearings installed, and the turbo reinstalled.

 

[lestat13]

I fail to believe this problem is still ongoing, and no one has a solid answer. I know I hear "turbo seals" But I would like to see proof of them being bad. I want to see a stock turbo taken apart, bearings inspected, different bearings installed, and the turbo reinstalled.

Switch with me and do what you want with it

 

[bova80]

those with smoking turbos, try changing your oil to 5w40 before crying about your turbo and sending it off to get rebuilt. even rebuilt turbos have proven to smoke. i've put over 1000 miles on my car since switching to 5w40 and it hasn't smoked at all.

 

[ByrdMan23]

really late but i smoke bad when i punch it.. black smoke continuously flows when im using the turbo..
-high flow cat,deleted both resonators and muffler.
-CPE nano intake
-Forge bypass valve

 

[turbo23]

black is fuel. Are you running colder plugs? If you are, if you are untuned the black smoke could happen. I had the same problem on mine, thought running colder would be a good idea...nope, didnt burn completely and just tossed black smoke. Put stock plugs back in, everything back to normal

 

[dkswim]

well i think im going to do a rebuild i found a place that i can get a rebuild from and i have an extra turbo lying around so i think ill do a rebuild this winter and install sometime this spring... hay i guess that means i could also sell my services if i really wanted to...

 

[AutoXRacer]

1) any difference between years of cars? CX-7, ms3, and ms6 all do it, but all years as well?

I've only heard of the MS3s doing it since this is an MS3 forum... Would be interesting to see if the other models do it too. It seems to be random between the years. Initially, it was only 2007s, then a few 2008s started cropping up. Personally haven't heard of any 2008.5 or 2009 since they are still pretty new.

2) i was under the impression that BLUE smoke indicated oil, while WHITE smoke indicated coolant/water - does everyone with this issue experience blue smoke, because i thought i read of white smoke as well?

You are right, but the blue is so faint, that most people don't see it. I doubt a brand new car will be leaking coolant into the cylinders/oil.

3) when mazda replaces the turbo, is the new one the exact same as the old one?

Yep, its the same exact turbo, just new (revised) part number...but same turbo.

4) generally speaking, turbine seal failures indicate need for replacement, but, since a smoking KO4 almost seems normal for the MS3, will running with a smoker run the risk of further issues or just be annoying?

You run the risk of damaging your WB O2 sensor which is $400 and ruining your cats. Eventually, you will start leaking oil into the intake trac (turbo side) making things worst.

5) exhaust generally either exposes a smoker or possibly creates a smoker - what about a tubular exhaust manifold?

Tubular manifold should not affect a smoker...its the deletion of the cats that allow a smoker to smoke...take the cat off and there is nothing to burn off/reduce the smoke.

I hope that helps...

 

[08_MS3_GT]

AutoXRacer, thanks for the reply to my lengthy post

I'm an engineer by education/trade, so I can't help trying to figure out what's causing these turbo problems. Sounds like it's not necessarily a HUGE issue, but a problem nonetheless.

The big thing that gets me is that it's nearly impossible to get it fixed under warranty. It can (usually) only be detected with an upgraded exhaust, BUT then you put the stock exhaust on for warranty work, AND the stock exhaust hides the smoke. So then the dealership says there's no smoke and no problem... (argh)

I had a comparable turbo on my old car, a K03S, which I bumped up to 19psi, upgraded the intake and exhaust tubing, and all kinds of other stuff, and the seals seemed to be just going at nearly 100k miles. So I suspect the K04 in the MS3's is faulty, somehow, and the 'new' part offers the fix. IF that's the case though, THEN why won't Mazda be a grown up and recall them??!?!??!?!?!

Wouldn't surprise me if Mazda knows that the failed seals can't be seen on a stock car until long after the factory warranty is gone, at which point the cats, O2 sensors, and turbo (if not more) are all the owner's re$pon$ibility.

 

[lestat13]

Personally haven't heard of any 2008.5 or 2009 since they are still pretty new.

This guy. 2008.5 with 10,000 miles on the odo. Smoked the first time about a week after it got cold and put on the new tmic. Sometimes I'm driving normal, stop at a light, and block traffic cause there's so much smoke. Othertimes I can pound the s*** outta the car and nothing happens.

Tubular manifold should not affect a smoker...its the deletion of the cats that allow a smoker to smoke...take the cat off and there is nothing to burn off/reduce the smoke.

If the turbo is smoking but the cat burns it off.... isn't the first sensor before any cats, cant remember?

 

[AutoXRacer]

If the turbo is smoking but the cat burns it off.... isn't the first sensor before any cats, cant remember?

The wideband O2-the one that reads AFRs-is located at the exit of the tubo exhaust; before the primary cat. The 2nd O2-narrow band-is located after the 1st cat and before the second.

 

[AutoXRacer]

I had a comparable turbo on my old car, a K03S, which I bumped up to 19psi, upgraded the intake and exhaust tubing, and all kinds of other stuff, and the seals seemed to be just going at nearly 100k miles. So I suspect the K04 in the MS3's is faulty, somehow, and the 'new' part offers the fix. IF that's the case though, THEN why won't Mazda be a grown up and recall them??!?!??!?!?!

Wouldn't surprise me if Mazda knows that the failed seals can't be seen on a stock car until long after the factory warranty is gone, at which point the cats, O2 sensors, and turbo (if not more) are all the owner's re$pon$ibility.

According to my research, Hitachi-Warner did have a defective production run with their K04 turbos (the seals) which Mazda installed on their cars. Mazda did not do a recall because the issue was hit or miss... Out of all the cars they sold, only a few have come in for warranty work, quite a few have been turned away due to mods. So, since the issue has not been a major one, Mazda is probably clueless of the severity. I've met a few owners with smoking MS3s (light smoke at idle) totally clueless of the issue and just ignore it...probably thought it was normal. (screwy)

 

[lestat13]

The wideband O2-the one that reads AFRs-is located at the exit of the tubo exhaust; before the primary cat. The 2nd O2-narrow band-is located after the 1st cat and before the second.

Yeah, so even on a stock vehicle, if you can't see the smoke it can still mess up that O2 sensor.

 

[AutoXRacer]

Yeah, so even on a stock vehicle, if you can't see the smoke it can still mess up that O2 sensor.

You got it!! (2thumbs)

 

[tazman34685]

Where does the defective K04 Hit the 2009 MS3, if at all?

 

[lestat13]

What do you mean where does it hit 2009 MS3s? Mileage? Some people have them smoke at 10,000 miles like me (2008.5) and some people are past 50,000 without a puff

 

[tazman34685]

Maybe mazda addressed this issue with the 2009 since God only knows what they've done to the ECU That I can't get my AP up a working yet. But if it a hit or miss type of thing, and by the time it happens the mods just seem to keep bolting themselves on. The warranty really isn't any help so the next best thing is to 1)buy a back-up turbo e-bay special or 2) upgrade to a different turbo. Please I really don't have a cue, but know I can work on my own car without the dealership and thier BIG Brother is watching BS. I paid for your product you should live up to thier end of the deal. different topic different tread.

I luv this car, and somebody please correct me if I'm wrong but the aftermarket companies that supply us with parts have tested put many hours into the delevopment of their product, and the root of all the problem stems from a (maybe) bad batch of turbos, We just need to be perpared since the warranty isn't worth nothing. So well they fix an a stuck cd in my radio if I have a FMIC? what ever.

Did I say I love my car. Zoom-Zoom

 

[ericrapp]

Bad batch of turbos, imo. Ihave been watching this discussion since i purchased my car in the spring of 2007. I do have many bolt ons with 33000 of spirited driving and some track time. Mine is holding up. My fuel pump has been replaced and a fuel delivery reflash has been done under warranty after and while mods were in place. maybe i have been lucky because i sure have read alot of bad stories over the last year or so. I would hope all speed owners who blow oil smoke would be considered for warranty work if it is caused from faulty turbo seals and or shaft. good luck folks!

 

[wisniaPl]

What do you mean where does it hit 2009 MS3s? Mileage? Some people have them smoke at 10,000 miles like me (2008.5) and some people are past 50,000 without a puff

did you try that 5w-40 oil??