Official 'Smoking Turbo' response from Mazda

[Jonesy32]

**update**

2006 MS6 with 20,000 miles on it, daily driver owned since new, approx 17 miles on odometer when bought. My only mod is a MSCAI.

The turbo smoking issue started for me at 10,000 miles. When I approached the dealership about it they could not replicate the problem. I even tried to replicate it and it wouldn't happen there. I was told Mazda knows there is a PCV issue and they are trying to come up with a fix. The last service I had in Nov 09, I was told that a fix should be out sometime this spring or summer.

I guess the problem is with oil pooling up in the turbo and then burning off, just like FORZA 1 said in an earlier post. I am due to go back in for service soon so I am going to bring this up to them (along with other issues I am having with the car, i.e. knock/fuel cut/loss of boost). I will see if I can pin down a date that Mazda is coming out with the PCV fix.

FYI, if you have this issue with your car, bring it to the dealership ASAP so they can log the complaint in. This way, I was told, that if your turbo ends up crapping out, they would replace it under warranty. Who knows if this is just BS PR but it couldn't hurt to let them know.

Took it the dealer recently and I brought up the PCV fix. I was told it is not ready yet, delayed again, but they should see something by the end of the year. (notcool)

Looking through these posts, that seems to be a recurring story. The dealer keeps telling people "Mazda is working on it, they know that it is a problem, but the fix is not available." I am starting to agree with some of the other forum members here, I don't know if they are even working on a fix. They know it is a problem but is it a BIG enough problem for corporate to take care of? It sure is if they want repeat customers! This is the first Mazda I have ever owned, the first foreign car even, and I really do enjoy this car. But Mazda has to step up and remedy this annoyance, and a few other bugs with the MS6, if they want my money next time I go to buy a car.

I understand that there is only a few thousand MS6's here in the US but this problem seems to be across the board with this motor (MS3, CX-9). So you would think that Mazda would do something about this. Time will tell...

P.S. The knock/fuel cut/loss of boost was due to the CAI filter being so clogged with the winter's sand and salt here in New England that it was messing with the MAF. I have tried a few hard 0-60's since and it has pretty much gone away. Depending on how long I warm it up it still cuts power shifting into third, cold, does it, warm, doesn't.

 

[azmavhockey3]

Everyone call MazdaCare and report this problem. The more problems they have on file the more they will push a fix! 1800-222-5500

 

[Morgs]

Hi everyone, im new to the ms6 and this site, I just bought a used 2006 ms6 with 56000km yesterday. Today I was sitting in traffic and i saw smoke too but it disappeared as soon as I started driving. I saw that funkytuqe lives in calgary as well and was wondering if he or anyone had any more details about this problems being solved. Also as i bought my car used, is there any way to find out if my warranty remains?
Oh, anyone know cost of extended warranty? thanks
ALSO, is this problem likely to damage our cars or is it just mainly embarassing?

 

[event]

call mazda with your VIN number and they will tell you its warranty status

 

[hundvongkrieg]

Hey all, Ive posted this up in other places, but I figure this is the best thread. I've sent my 07 MS6 in to the dealer for a smoking exhaust. Matches the descriptions of this turbo issue everyone seems to be having. My factory bumper to bumper is done in less that 1000 miles. So Im trying to get this thing resolved incase the powertrain doesnt cover it. Ill be calling mazdacare monday. If they do the fix where they slap a new turbo on and put 40W oil in, itll be interesting. This car hasnt had anything done to it as far as fixes go, so Ill report what a Rev D turbo does. If thats the one they put on... Ill def post up. Thanks for the info guys~

 

[MS3 GT]

**** THE stealership.....my turbo smokes bad,even with OCC,PTP PCV,5w40. iu rather go with the upgraded ko4

 

[dougefresh_]

Here's how to solve your smoking turbo issues for good:

Step 1. Buy a Big Turbo.
Step 2. Remove and throw your stock turbo in the trash where it belongs.
Step 3. Install your new BT.
Step 4. Enjoy!

 

[ericrapp]

See thats all fine for you folks who have a tuner available.
Mine is out of town for a while.

 

[8.5MS3]

i dont feel like spending 3k to solve a bulls*** problem and put my rods and block at risk...

 

[dougefresh_]

i dont feel like spending 3k to solve a bulls*** problem and put my rods and block at risk...

I hear you on the $3K but your rods are already at risk. The safer thing about BT's is they don't build boost until higher rpms. For example, the 3076 doesn't build any boost until 3,500, and 20 PSI at 4,000 rpms. It's the low rpms boost on the stocker that is quite dangerous (although you can tune for that as you know). The 3071 builds boost about 500rpms lower, which is still better than hitting heavy boost at 2,500rpms on the stock turbo or stock tune. Don't listen to me though because I'm very biased... plan on going 3071 next year (evil). And I've decided to keep this car as a project car, so if I do blow, I'm gonna go for a full build (I may do that first, but I doubt it, lol).

And I agree it is a bulls*** problem that we shouldn't be dealing with in the first place. PCV design= FAIL.

 

[pmpott]

Well you can add me to the list of smokers. Put a test pipe on last week and noticed the smoke while sitting in traffic this morning. Gonna try the 5W-40 fix and see how that goes.

 

[dougefresh_]

Well you can add me to the list of smokers. Put a test pipe on last week and noticed the smoke while sitting in traffic this morning. Gonna try the 5W-40 fix and see how that goes.

Same here. I had only smoke ~3 times since I owned the car, but now with the TP, I smoke if I idle for more than a few minutes. Luckily I don't drive to work, so I'm not in grid lock traffic. If I'm at a light that I know is very long, or grabbing some fast food and there's a line, I'll kill the engine. I might have to try that 5w/40 oil soon as well. I'll be happy if it just decreases it or delays it.

BTW, I've heard some people smoke less when they upgrade from the TP to a catted-DP. Not sure why that is, I'm sure the dp reduces back pressure even more than the TP. The dp is not an option for me atm, but something to keep in mind. Anyone get a reduction in smoke when moving from a tp to a dp? Increase smoke? Same?

 

[hnda etr]

Same here. I had only smoke ~3 times since I owned the car, but now with the TP, I smoke if I idle for more than a few minutes. Luckily I don't drive to work, so I'm not in grid lock traffic. If I'm at a light that I know is very long, or grabbing some fast food and there's a line, I'll kill the engine. I might have to try that 5w/40 oil soon as well. I'll be happy if it just decreases it or delays it.

BTW, I've heard some people smoke less when they upgrade from the TP to a catted-DP. Not sure why that is, I'm sure the dp reduces back pressure even more than the TP. The dp is not an option for me atm, but something to keep in mind. Anyone get a reduction in smoke when moving from a tp to a dp? Increase smoke? Same?

a catted downpipe will have more restriction than a test pipe. more restriction = more back pressure = less oil passing the seals in the turbo = less smoke.

Also, the cat will burn off an amount of smoke - with the TP, no cat = no amount of smoke burned off.

 

[dougefresh_]

a catted downpipe will have more restriction than a test pipe. more restriction = more back pressure = less oil passing the seals in the turbo = less smoke.

Also, the cat will burn off an amount of smoke - with the TP, no cat = no amount of smoke burned off.

I wasn't sure about the back-pressure in a catted dp vs. tp, which is why I was confused. Going from a 3" catted dp to 3" exhaust is more restrictive than going from teh stock dp to tp to cbe? I wouldn't have thought that. I know the stock dp is very restrictive, and assumed the aftermarket dp would have less back pressure. I also forgot about the second cat for a minute, haha. The cat reducing smoke makes sense.... now I really want one, lol. Thanks for the input.

 

[FORZDA 1]

a catted downpipe will have more restriction than a test pipe. more restriction = more back pressure = less oil passing the seals in the turbo = less smoke.

Also, the cat will burn off an amount of smoke - with the TP, no cat = no amount of smoke burned off.

I'm not sure what you're talking about here. There is only one aftermarket DP that can fit with a test pipe and/or the second cat and that's the corksport DP. ALL the other DPs take out the second cat/TP. The OEM DP has the OEM front cat, so a TP only takes out the second cat.

You can get a DP with a high-flow cat (except the CS) that adds a bit of backpressure and keeps the OBD emissions logic happy in the ECU.

 

[bova80]

even with the catted downpipe from cp-e my car smoked back in the day, it wasn't until i switched to 5w40 and upped my idle rpm that the smoking went away.

 

[dougefresh_]

even with the catted downpipe from cp-e my car smoked back in the day, it wasn't until i switched to 5w40 and upped my idle rpm that the smoking went away.

[Hits Thanks Button] Cool man. I'm not due for a change for a bit, but I might change it now anyways. I can't idle for more than 2 mins before the smoke starts. How much did you increase you idle rpm? I'm think just a couple hundred.. to like 900 rpms?

 

[bova80]

my idle sits at 950rpm now, it also helps eliminate vibrations if you had any from upgraded mounts. i highly recommend 5w40 oil though. I've been running it for over a year now and its the way to go, especially shell rotella t-syn, always get good UOA's from that stuff.

 

[Blendercloud]

my idle sits at 950rpm now, it also helps eliminate vibrations if you had any from upgraded mounts. i highly recommend 5w40 oil though. I've been running it for over a year now and its the way to go, especially shell rotella t-syn, always get good UOA's from that stuff.

These are my feelings exactly. I'm in 100% agreement.

 

[dougefresh_]

my idle sits at 950rpm now, it also helps eliminate vibrations if you had any from upgraded mounts. i highly recommend 5w40 oil though. I've been running it for over a year now and its the way to go, especially shell rotella t-syn, always get good UOA's from that stuff.

I have very vibs at idle, and actually kind of like them. Reminds me the car has some balls. They're minor enough that they dont even bother the gf. I wanted to save the idle trick to when I (eventually) get the TT rear diff front mount, and perhaps a front engine mount, or perhaps the BSD down the road. If I up my idle now, any new vibs from those parts I'll be stuck with. If that makes sense.

Can you explain to me how/why raising the idle a few hundred rpms would help reduce smoke? Thanks.