MS3 smoking turbo vs MS6 smoking turbo

[lakedude90]

So when i first joined i was in the market for a MS6. I started to to read about every little thing i could find. I wanted to know the car inside and out b4 i bought one. I came across the well know PCV problem that casued the smoking turbo. It was no big deal to me since mazda knew about and you could get it taken care of.


Then i came across the MS3 which I then again started reading, searching nonstop about. Again i wanted to know the car inside and out as much as i could b4 actually going out and driving one. I am glad to say hopefully next week I will be able to go out and test drive an 07 True Red with on 9400 miles on it. Duting my massive search on the car i havent come a cross the Smoking turbo as much if at all for theses cars.

so i guess my question is, do these cars even have a problem with it? If not the why not? and if so are the precasutions the same on the MS6?

 

[robin2660]

Same motor, same turbo, same problem.

Funny thing, my local dealer says they haven't seen any turbo problems except in CX7.

 

[lakedude90]

gotcha. i just wans t sure cause i havent seem nearly as much of it tralked about it in the MS3 section as i have the MS6 section

 

[tunersteve]

There were different revisions of the turbo since the MS6 came out. All MS6s had the first turbo, and some of the '07 MS3s as well. Sometime after 2/08, the first revision came out, and was a slight change from the MS6 turbo (Rev A). Now, we're on Rev. C per the Mazda part listing, which was enacted in 9/08 for install. The seals are said to be much larger than the prior models, but still not what they should be by many aftermarket shops (See BNR turbos for specifics of a CHRA teardown on the K04 we use).

 

[lakedude90]

so if i were to get a 07/08 MS3 i should let it idle for a while and see if i get any smoking when i test drive it. and if i do if i decide to get it i get them to change out the turbo b4 i take it home. or get them to put the heavier oil in it

 

[tunersteve]

Drive it 5 miles, then park it and let it idle for 15-20 minutes. If you don't see smoke, you're good.

 

[robin2660]

Drive it 5 miles, then park it and let it idle for 15-20 minutes. If you don't see smoke, you're good.

You know, I've always said my car doesn't smoke (stock '07) but, to be honest, I've never let my car idle for 15-20 minutes. So, then, is it a non-issue?

 

[SomnoSpeed3]

It's NOT a non-issue. That 15-20 minutes will turn into 1-2 minutes over time. So unless you never let your car warm up or cool down, never go through the drive thru or never stop at long traffic lights... it's an issue.

 

[robin2660]

It's NOT a non-issue. That 15-20 minutes will turn into 1-2 minutes over time. So unless you never let your car warm up or cool down, never go through the drive thru or never stop at long traffic lights... it's an issue.

Yeah, but warmups, cooldowns, and traffic lights are never 15-20 minutes. So, how long does it really take for a bad seal to show smoke?

 

[peeaanuut]

when my turbo was smoking, i would be at a light for less than a minute and it would smoke. Or in the drive thru it did the same thing I changd from 5/30 synthetic to 10/40 dyno and it does not smoke anymore, no matter how long I have been sitting. I have an 08, purchase in march of 08 and built in dec 07.


The CPe pill did not stop the smoking either. I did also add an upper catch can between the valve cover and the intake. But that was after I changed the oil and the smoke dissapearred.

 

[lakedude90]

so there are plenty of ways to compensate for the smokeing. its more a trial and error kinda thing. if one thing doesnt work try another. if worse comes to worse get a new turbo. if u add a catch can tho and then take it to get a new turbo. will they say the catch can casued it or does it depend on the dealer like with every thing else EX: intake, turbo inlet, RMM

 

[8.5MS3]

Yeah, but warmups, cooldowns, and traffic lights are never 15-20 minutes. So, how long does it really take for a bad seal to show smoke?

as said before 15-20 minutes will slowly become 20-30 seconds over time

 

[robin2660]

I wonder how many '07 MS3s out there that haven't smoked? Mine's at 32K, bone stock.

 

[Darth Vader]

My early build 08 hasn't smoked either, even with a catless DP and TP. I preemptively installed the PtP pill. I've done plenty of long idling periods without issue. Prevention is the key, I think. As 8.5 says, once the leak through has occurred, it'll only get worse as that coked crap wedges the door open further.

 

[ATXMSP3]

I own a 07 with 48k miles on it it has smoke don me 2 times once when i wasnt paying attention to time visiting with friends and it started smoking after 20 minutes of idle(didnt hear car idling cause of being next to highway normally turn off after 1 minute of cooldown) and another when being stuck in drivethru on 120 degree TX day but not being one to let ANY vehicle idle for more than 3 minutes i havent had the problem since early 08 and the only thing ive done different is to not let it idle any longer than a standard cooldown of 1 minute

 

[Jackis]

Well I have March 07' european MS3 (produced in december 06'), drove it for almost 30K miles. I have never seen it smoking actually. 5K miles ago installed full-length catless downpipe along with intake. Usual driving isn't non-stop either, lots of traffic lights. And when it's winter here, I used to warm it up for 15 minutes at least.
BTW, where exactly should I see it smoking? Under the hood? Or from the exhaust? Sometimes I feel strange smell (expecially after burning it quite aggressively), but it usually disappears in a minute and under the hood everything is ok.

 

[Ponypetro]

the strange smell is caused by the catless downpipe you use.

my speed 3 (european model) was built in december 07 and i havent seen any smoking from the exhaust too. even when it idled long time with my catted cp-e downpipe and the 3" catback.

u said prevention is the key. for prevention i just purchased the ptp pcv fix too. would you guys recommend to install that thing for prevention? or just when smoking issues occure???

r there any other benefits of the vacuum, the ptp pcv fix causes in the crankcase?

kindly regards

 

[Jackis]

Ok, I see, searched the forum up and down The main evidence of smth is wrong - is non-proper exhaust gas consistence and color, especially when it's warm outside. Okey, shall pay more close attention to this.

 

[RUMBLEFISH]

I have an 8.5 that smoked really bad at lights. If I was running it hard I would come to a light and smoke or even just going around town not in boost at all. I have always used 5/40 full synth since the first oil change. I put the pill in and that cured the smoke problem. It did start to smoke the other day but that was after about 1.5 hours of bumper to bumper s*** going into manhattan during rush hour. You should have seen the peoples faces as I smoked and choked them out.

I say **** mazda for not giving anyone a good fix for this s*** turbo car. I would love to call the local news tell them to meet at a mazda dealer for somthing crazy. Then all the smokers show up at once and choke the bitches out. Explain how our cars are polluting the world and we feel really bad and mazda dosnt care. That would fix their asses for not getting all over this. They just hope all the cars go out of warranty or try to void any repairs. Time is their friend.

With that said I really enjoy the car but this turbo thing as really put a bad taste in my mouth about mazda and how they treat you after the sale.

 

[destrux]

Mine has 58K on it, it used to smoke.... then it seemingly stopped. I haven't noticed it smoking since maybe around 20K. Not sure if it was one of the mods that helped it... but I'm still running the stock turbo, and I have only done more mods, not taken any off.

Who knows.....