Calling all MS3 Owners with smoking Turbos...

[MS3-oholic]

As stated previously, the smoking turbos are hit or miss like the motor mounts were. I have 19200 miles on my car with an intake and testpipe, with absolutely no signs of smoke or oil consumption. I run Royal Purple 5w-30 by the way.

 

[3.slow]

If you guys have ever had old cars, you would know what I am talking about. I had conventional 5w-20 in my truck and no leaks whatsoever. I switched over to mobil 1 5w-20 full syntehtic and leaked a quart a week! Synthetic is very thin compared to the dynosaur juice.

 

[PLM_Man]

If you guys have ever had old cars, you would know what I am talking about. I had conventional 5w-20 in my truck and no leaks whatsoever. I switched over to mobil 1 5w-20 full syntehtic and leaked a quart a week! Synthetic is very thin compared to the dynosaur juice.

You may be on to something there. I had an RSX TYpe-S with about 30k miles on it that I switched to synthetic oil, and since it would burn a quart of oil between each oil change. I'm not entire sure it has to do with the oil being thinner, however, I believe if the dynosaur stuff has conditioned the seals of the motor/turbo over many many miles, then switching to synthetic seems to cause leaking or burning. However, synthetic manufacturers state that it is safe to switch over at any point in the motor's life. I don't completely buy it based on my own personal experience. I think it is safe to switch while the car is fairly new, perhaps within the first or second oil change. Of course this is all speculation on my part.

 

[ZoomRedZoomGT]

Year:2007
Mileage:About 11,000
Mods:MazdaSpeed CAI

I was running standard oil. Got it back today after 2 weeks in the shop. Came to over $4100 covered under warranty. They replaced turbo, cats, plugs, a/f sensor and a list of gaskets and studs. $600 in labor..the rest parts.

To recap - I had and still have and always had stock exhaust. The smoke (blue, thick) was coming from the oil that leaked past the seal, settled in the cat(s) and burned off once the exhaust heated to the point hot enough to cook it off.

 

[Haltech]

Year: 2007
Mileage: 10,158
Mods: CAI, 3" GHL Exhaust, Mid Pipe, ETS 3.25 Intercooler
Oil: Royal Purple 5w30

Just started smoking at 10,006 miles at idle. White/Blue in color.

Never burned any oil between oil changes. Car has been using synthetic since 513 miles.

GHL and Midpipe has been installed since Aug/Sept

 

[3.slow]

(blarf) Synthetic Is The Devil! (blarf). Think about it, if you have an 07, you might have bad seals and you are putting oil that is thinner than what it was to start. I guess it is a good way to get a new turbo (scratch)

 

[walti]

Year: 2007
Mileage: 8000
Mods: Intake, Corksport Turbo Back Exhaust
(noticed the smoke after DP install)

I can also speak for one other member...stars.eg6

Year: 2007
Mileage: 20k +/-
Mods: Intake, Downpipe Back Exhaust
(currently running just a Corksport CBE, noticed smoke after cat-delete)

So tell me bud, who's your dealer down here? Is it Peoples Mazda? And did you try going down to Henderson side to check if they could fix your exhaust smoke for you?

 

[fourthmeal]

The Henderson shop has Cedric, who is a good service writer to say the least. So far, he's handily dealt with all the issues my car has had, without the slightest of trouble.

The only time he threw me for a loop was when he was concerned about me using Redline MT-90 in the trans...I didn't get it done yet but he said that Mazda may not cover damage to the trans if I get the Redline in there. Knowing myself that Mazda simply can NOT regulate this, I called B.S. on him and expressed my opinion on the issue.

Other then that little tiff, Cedric has been unflappable in his abilities to handle business on these cars.

 

[xmysacredoathx]

So tell me bud, who's your dealer down here? Is it Peoples Mazda? And did you try going down to Henderson side to check if they could fix your exhaust smoke for you?

I go to Peoples. I have never been to Courtesy, just too far. A friend of mine told me about Cedric, but wasn't sure if he'd go for my full turbo back. My friend with the speed however, could probably get away with his cat-back.

We both really dont car anymore. Its not worth it. Like I said, some people mod with the knowledge of the consequences, we are some of those people.

 

[silverspeed03]

Year: 2008
Mileage: 6,750
Mods: CPE CAI, 3" catless DP, PG Test Pipe, Both resonators removed.
Oil: Conventional stuff right now but, switching to Mobil 1 this weekend.

Well, my car has been smoking since the DP, which was done early late Oct.

Any other questions let me know.

 

[AutoXRacer]

Year: 2008
Mileage: 6,750
Mods: CPE CAI, 3" catless DP, PG Test Pipe, Both resonators removed.
Oil: Conventional stuff right now but, switching to Mobil 1 this weekend.

Well, my car has been smoking since the DP, which was done early late Oct.

Any other questions let me know.

How come you haven't taken it to the dealers yet? What build date does it have?

 

[silverspeed03]

The only reason that I have not brought it to the dealers attention is because when I had my DP installed one of the bolts snapped.

So I'm not sure how the dealer would react.

 

[AutoXRacer]

The only reason that I have not brought it to the dealers attention is because when I had my DP installed one of the bolts snapped.

So I'm not sure how the dealer would react.

Did you ever fix the snapped bolt? Are you currently driving with -1 bolt; doesn't your exhaust leak...?

If the bolt snapped on the turbo side then you are OK, you'd be getting a new turbo... (2thumbs)

 

[silverspeed03]

It is on the turbo side so I guess I have 4 of the 5. No exhaust leaks to speak of.

IDK. I guess I'm thinking that because it has been tampered with AND now destroyed they would be less likely to cover it or hassle me about covering it you know. Even though it has nothing to do with the bad turbo seal.

 

[AutoXRacer]

It is on the turbo side so I guess I have 4 of the 5. No exhaust leaks to speak of.

IDK. I guess I'm thinking that because it has been tampered with AND now destroyed they would be less likely to cover it or hassle me about covering it you know. Even though it has nothing to do with the bad turbo seal.

How bad does it smoke...?
Is it minor or a cloud of smoke?
Is it only on idle?

 

[amascio]

In my mind, engines that spoil their catalytic converters due to any kind of oil getting into the combustion chamber by way of a manufacturing defect are verboten by the EPA.

We are in catch 22 here...someone with a modded exhaust could call the EPA and give them a demonstation of the smoke, maybe even let them test it to make sure it is indeed oil and then proceed to let them deal with Mazda USA.

Whoever did this would probably be fined a great deal of $$$$$$......can't win for loosing...

 

[silverspeed03]

It smokes only if I more than 3 or 4 min. at idle.
As for how bad, it seems like some days are worse than others. I mean it's bearable but, I wish it didn't smoke.

 

[walti]

Damn, so much for my hopes that the 08 models would not smoke. Thanks for the info fourthmeal and sacredoath.

 

[BLACKMS3]

In my mind, engines that spoil their catalytic converters due to any kind of oil getting into the combustion chamber by way of a manufacturing defect are verboten by the EPA.

We are in catch 22 here...someone with a modded exhaust could call the EPA and give them a demonstation of the smoke, maybe even let them test it to make sure it is indeed oil and then proceed to let them deal with Mazda USA.

Whoever did this would probably be fined a great deal of $$$$$$......can't win for loosing...

That's only in the case of an aftermarket exhaust that removes the cats... I know there are some people that have the smoking issue on a stock exhaust..

 

[3.slow]

What is the build date on the 08