heavy blue exhaust smoke

[cnupoxem]

Hello, I was wondering if there was a way to get a rough estimate of the cost to fix the heavy blue exhaust smoke problem. 2007 Mazda CX-7 with about 55,000 miles has recently started spitting out clouds of heavy stinky blue smoke. The exhaust always heavily smokes when I resume driving after short stops, a few minutes to an hour or so, when the engine is still warm. The smoke never occurs in the morning after the car has cooled down overnight.

I have read that this might be a problem (by design) with the turbo device, like a leaky seal. The Mazda dealer refuses to discuss potential causes of the smoke, or the repair cost estimates, or recalls related to this problem, unless I first pay $180 -- the diagnostics fee. Mazda USA also suggests to talk to the dealer first.

I was wondering if anyone has experience dealing with this problem and if it was covered by a recall or some extended warranty. I would also like to know approximately how much it would cost to fix it. Would it be significantly more than $180 or not?

I would appreciate any information on this particular problem or any suggestion.

Thanks in advance,
C.

 

[BRIAN_MP5T]

Could be a Turbo seal or an engine.. (Valve Seals or Compression Rings)

You need to seek the aid of a mechanic to diagnose the issue before I can tell you how much it will cost.

 

[cnupoxem]

Thanks! How much is to fix the turbo seal? Would it be covered by Mazda?

How much would replacing valve seals be?

 

[BRIAN_MP5T]

The turbo would probably not be covered..

You are almost at 100,000km

The seal alone would be under $500 if you removed the turbo and sent it away yourself.
If you get Mazda to do it, they will probably have to replace the turbo complete with an OEM one, and charge you $3k because they aren't really mechanics.. they are "Parts Fitters" who follow a book like a fat chick making Chocolate Cookies at midnight..

 

[cnupoxem]

The seal alone would be under $500 if you removed the turbo and sent it away yourself.
If you get Mazda to do it, they will probably have to replace the turbo complete with an OEM one, and charge you $3k because they aren't really mechanics.. they are "Parts Fitters" who follow a book like a fat chick making Chocolate Cookies at midnight..

Thanks for your comments. Where would I send the turbo? To a local mechanic or some Mazda factory? I thought that this faulty seal would be a total responsibility of Mazda, because, as I have read, it might be a part of one of their recalls. What would be a good resource to get all the Mazda recalls to bring them to the dealer?

 

[BRIAN_MP5T]

You will not be able to fight the seal because of the miles on the car in my opinion.

you should still try to get Mazda to replace the turbo for free

if that fails then you can find a turbo dealer who can sell a centre cartridge.