Help: Exhaust Oil Blow-by

[Vindikacione]

After reading the thread about the dealership adding too much oil during MS3 oil change I got really concerned.

I literally just broke in (less than 800 miles) my MS3. It still has the same oil it came with from the dealership.

It has a distinct smell when cooling down the engine just prior to turning it off and there is black dust at the exhaust.

However, Black smoke is not visible when turning on the car or while it is idling.

I know that exhaust tips eventually soot up over time, so I wiped mine clean yesterday. I drove 16 miles today and the area that was clean is black again. Is this a very bad sign or just a bad sign or just normal? No engine or lights are on. It appears to idle and drive just fine. I will check the oil level again, just to be sure. But I would think that Mazda would have added the correct amount at the plant, wouldn't you think?

Thanks in advance.

 

[major error]

worry not...

As you'll discover reading a few other threads, the soot is normal for the 3. Apparently, we run on the rich side...

 

[Vindikacione]

Thanks. New to the Forum, did a little searching and spent the last 2 or so hours catching up in other threads. I found what I was looking for... But do you have the smell issue too? I haven't heard anyone complain about a smell yet.

 

[M3_Zoom]

Thanks. New to the Forum, did a little searching and spent the last 2 or so hours catching up in other threads. I found what I was looking for... But do you have the smell issue too? I haven't heard anyone complain about a smell yet.

Yes, I have the smell as well. My MS3 only has 250 miles on it and it's just the normal breaking in smells of a new car. If it get worse or does not go away soon, I would take it in just to make sure. If your fluids are up where they need to be and the car is operating as it should, have no worries.

 

[major error]

none of the odd smells for me. Just the new car + leather scents.

 

[M3_Zoom]

I know mine is the exhaust. It's the same funny smell you get when you initially install any aftermarket exhausts.