Official 'Smoking Turbo' response from Mazda

[jri4]

jri4 - just curious, is your car stock?

I bought the car with 50,000 miles on it- I guess I can not be 100% sure it was left stock (for instance, I know an aftermarket sound system had been installed and then removed). I immediately threw on a Corksport SRI that I had already purchased for the CX-7. I was unaware of a smoking problem before, or else I would have tested it to see if mine smoked stock. However, I really don't think the SRI could have pushed it too far and started the leaking, could it?

 

[Hank3]

I doubt that the SRI is contributing to the smoke.

I have had my MS3 for 16 months (around 16K miles) and didn't notice the smoke till last week. I hadn't been in stop-n-go traffic till we took a vacation last week and there was an accident on the Interstate. And I never thought to idle the car for an extended period of time. But since we've been back, I've let it idle for about 5 minutes on two occasions and it has smoked both times. So the problem has been there all along probably...I just didn't give it the opportunity to smoke

 

[johnnyB5646]

I am bone stock and took my MS3 in for smoking at idle. They did the oil change and now I will wait till the smoke returns and see what they do next. I get all my oil changes done at this dealership and bought my car as well as my wife's CX7(which slightly smokes at idle) there so I will keep everyone posted as to how they handle this after the new year.

 

[SomnoSpeed3]

Three weeks after the PTP fix and I still smoke just as bad as ever. So far it has not worked at all.

A month or so ago I took my car to the dealer for the smoke problem and they said it was a bad PCV valve and it needed replacing. I know this was not the problem but it was covered on my extended warranty so I wasn't in the mood to argue anymore. I asked the service guy "Is this a new pcv valve design you are putting in or just a new one of the old design?" He said there has been no change in the pcv design and that I had a bad one. Yeah, right. Smoked as bad as always.
Now I know this dealer is not worth a s***.

 

[jri4]

So the problem has been there all along probably...I just didn't give it the opportunity to smoke

I hardly ever do either, except the occassional highway traffic, which begs the question from an inexperienced guy like me:

If you never let it smoke at idle, is it still hurting the car in any way? If not, then what is the big deal *besides Mazda building shoddy quality parts and lying and shirking customer service*?

But seriously, this thread alone, and the entire m24/7 site has helped me gather so much information. Thanks everyone!

Edit: Whoo! 150th post, and it took me 2.5 years to do it! Roughly 3 or 4 posts a month! Whoo!

 

[Glocker23]

I just had my car at the dealer for brakes and turbo was smoking from the turbo. They said everything was ok at the time of them checking it. They recommended a oil catch can. Also I am on the list for the new pcv system. Allegedly it will be ready in March. So that is the longest 90 days ever since this post was started.

Just wanted to give an update that they gave me the other day

Have a safe and happy new years fellas

(wiggle)(wiggle)(wiggle)(wiggle)(wiggle)(wiggle)(wiggle)(wiggle)(wiggle)(wiggle)(wiggle)(wiggle)

 

[Hank3]

Thanks for the update, Glocker.

 

[ericrapp]

^ yepper

 

[tunersteve]

90 days to MNAO = 6+ months and no clear information on the issue.

Hopefully this date sticks, a TSB comes out, and we get rid of this nonsense once and for all.

 

[earlofpearl]

I hope they come out with the PCV fix soon, and make it a recall instead of a TSB. I am just glad that I got my new turbo under warranty before they came out with the fix to the real problem! I also got a new intake manifold because the tech screwed it up somehow while putting in the turbo! My Mazda dealer was actually very good about the whole thing.

 

[Hank3]

Just curious to know if the leaking oil on the turbo seals could possibly seap down to the oil pan area? Changing my oil right now to 5W-40 and I see traces of oil down by the oil pan by the tranny case and some by where the belts are. Not much at all...and my oil level was still at MAX when I started draining it.

 

[tunersteve]

Just curious to know if the leaking oil on the turbo seals could possibly seap down to the oil pan area? Changing my oil right now to 5W-40 and I see traces of oil down by the oil pan by the tranny case and some by where the belts are. Not much at all...and my oil level was still at MAX when I started draining it.

I had a turbo replaced and found oil leaking near the return line, just above the pan. They ended up replacing the return line when the turbo was replaced as well.

 

[Hank3]

Hmmm...so you attribute that to leaking oil up by the turbo seals seaping down? I find it interesting that these leaking oil stains/marks didn't appear until I witnessed the blue smoke from the exhaust. Certain bolts had oil on them, too.

Just went out and snapped some pics. Is the first one the oil return line?

Of where some oil stains are:

There was accumilated dirt and oil residue in this area, but I cleaned it up before snapping the picture:

 

[tunersteve]

The first one looks like the dipstick slot. Where I found it was right above the drain plug location, which it looks like from the 2nd pic. Mine was leaking from improper installation of the first replacement turbo.

 

[Hank3]

Oh OK. My bad on the first pic. I just realized it is the dipstick slot (hand)

I'll keep a close eye on these areas after I've ran the 5W-40 for a while. Funny thing was that the OCC barely drained out any fluid this time. Last two times I've done it about 1/4 cup came out.

 

[RaddRide]

I got a Smoker

Had my Car at the car wash last weekend and while it was setting there waiting to be moved up into the wash, it started smoking after about 10 min.
Went from car wash to dealer and told them what happened and I would bring it in on Monday when I get off work. They had it for a day and a half and at 1st said they could not duplicate it but wanted to keep overnight to be sure.... They called me the next morning and told me it started smoking after he talked to me last night so they did the oil change to 5-40 and idled it for 20 min and no smoke. I brought it home and so far on 2 tries at a long idle after a drive and no smoke........ We will see what happens next...

Is there a direct replacement turbo that you do not have to mess with that is not a K04 ??

 

[ericrapp]

My question is not exactly on topic but near it. I have been told it is quite simple to rebuild the k04 and should be inexpensive too. And that even i could do it. I was considering doing that as a learning tool before i upgrade. I have the standback and a tuning shop, so i am a good position to make a change. My point is where do i get the little rebuild kit? This is one thread i continue to watch. hoping the root cause of the oil smoke is truly resolved/answered logically by Mazda. Thanks everyone.

 

[SomnoSpeed3]

My question is not exactly on topic but near it. I have been told it is quite simple to rebuild the k04 and should be inexpensive too. And that even i could do it. I was considering doing that as a learning tool before i upgrade. I have the standback and a tuning shop, so i am a good position to make a change. My point is where do i get the little rebuild kit? This is one thread i continue to watch. hoping the root cause of the oil smoke is truly resolved/answered logically by Mazda. Thanks everyone.

I don't have an answer but I plan to do the same exact thing.

 

[MSP300]

i got my car about 5 month a go (09 mazdaspeed3 it had 125 mile on it when i bought it) and every time i start it gray smoke comes out of my exhaust but when the car is warm its not smoking anymore, should i be worried cuz after reading this thread it kinda scares me

 

[coyfish]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14OYY_wFSoI

If it looks like that you might have a problem. Sounds like your symptoms are normal though.

I would hope mazda had this issue under control by now.