tuners worst nightmare

[bacarl]

when did you buy your MS3 . last year ? what month ? I bought mine at the begining of March 2007 . it smokes on the highway usually when Im going about 65-70 and drop it into 4th to pass people . Just wanted to know if there was a way to tell if I have the newer turbo or the older one and if I need to get it replaced now . I have 24000 miles on her now .

Careful with this one -- if you're seeing smoke under high load/revs on the highway, chances are it's black/grey smoke and is just due to the richness of the calibration.

Maybe you're already aware, but just to be sure, the smoke in question with these bad seals is a light colored smoke, white or blue-white, and I'm pretty certain it's most commonly seen at idle.

Also, is your exhaust modified? As has been mentioned, the turbo seal smoke is much more common with low restriction exhausts with fewer catalysts than stock.

 

[robin2660]

I was talking to a service advisor about it, and he said that there was one, and how to put it in the defoul mode. Also all the Mazda dealerships are supposed to do it on the turbo model vehicles as part of the quality check.

Has anyone tried this yet?

 

[Speedy3]

Has anyone tried this yet?

HAHA! Don't want to submit my lady to that kind of heat....

 

[AutoXRacer]

I was talking to a service advisor about it, and he said that there was one, and how to put it in the defoul mode. Also all the Mazda dealerships are supposed to do it on the turbo model vehicles as part of the quality check.

Does this only work with the car parked or can it also work while driving (with engine load)...?

 

[mazdaspeedjay]

Can i just add something. i work at a mazda dealership . what i've seen and heard is that it's mainly affects anyone that has a 07' pr later model. '08's like mine (YAY) haven't been having this issue. don't know if this is a bad bunch of turbos that mazda got or what but thats what i've seen. main reason why most poeple suddenly see this smoke after removing cats and doing DP installs is because a cat. is kind of like a filter for the exhaust in some ways of one of the jobs it does not the only but one. When doing a DP install specially a full DP not just a test pipe you're now removing one big ass cat converter and also a little one. some ways this is good because if you're still under warranty you'll notice your bad turbo and get it fixed right away. if you go into a dealership with after market DP installed your a idiot unless the dealership is like the one that the person who started this thread went to cause they seem really cool about mod's. unfortunitly most dealership aren't like that. it's a pain i know but put the stock DP back on and take it in and get it fixed. There is a dozen ways to tell if the turbo is bad other then just smoke so don't just go in saying i saw it smoking cause when you go in for service it more then likely won't be smoking now with the stock stuff back on and they'll more then likely say they couldn't duplicate the problem and come pick your car up. The letter mazda sent out is true mazda is well aware of this concern and have even asked some other dealerships that i have friends at that they want pictures of the car just to make sure everything is stock or with in mazdas green parts system ( i.e. speed CAI is a green part will not viod warranty ).

They design of the turbo needing back pressure i would say is false. The turbo we use on our cars is the same or like the same as other car companies use and if that was the case all would be having this problem. Also to give you guys a heads up my friends turbo went up on his 07' his warranty was voided completely so i can't help him anymore so i've called around looking for a company that would just rebuild it for him. The few companies i've found that have fixed MS3's blown seal issues will no longer rebuild ours because of serveral units they've re built keep coming back with blown seals again so there seems to be more to this. sucks for 07' don't know why yet but 08's or 08' 1/2's don't seem to be affected as bad.

 

[mazdaspeedjay]

also it still cold out in some parts of the U.S. the weather is crazy right now sunny and seventy where i am one minute and cold as hell and 30 the next day. cold days in my area or near it i live in maryland. you'll see smoke from your car just like you see smoke when you breath when it's cold out. just check what color the smoke is before you freak out. i've seen bone stock MS3 belt out black smoke or some smoke at WOT runs alittle worse when you have a test pipe or exhaust. But check the color before you think it's blown. a another easy way is remove the TMIC and look inside your pipes and your BOV if it;s coated in oil your turbo is probally blown. there will be alittle bit of oil in there but when it's coated its very noticeable trust me you'll see what i'm talking about.

 

[jonscapri]

Does this only work with the car parked or can it also work while driving (with engine load)...?

It's supposed to do this while you're highway driving, and it' checks for several factors that cause to do this on the highway. Unfortunately most of the cars don't do this. You can manually do it, and this is how. drive around to get the car in it's normal operating temp, park turn off all of you accessories (radio, ac, heater, etc) Then press the gas, and hold it about 3500-4000 rpm for at lest 2 minutes. don't try to fluctuate the input on the pedal. The RPM will vary 200-300 rpm on it's own, and it'll return to idle on it's own. When it does let off the gas, and it will drive normally.

 

[robin2660]

It's supposed to do this while you're highway driving, and it' checks for several factors that cause to do this on the highway. Unfortunately most of the cars don't do this. You can manually do it, and this is how. drive around to get the car in it's normal operating temp, park turn off all of you accessories (radio, ac, heater, etc) Then press the gas, and hold it about 3500-4000 rpm for at lest 2 minutes. don't try to fluctuate the input on the pedal. The RPM will vary 200-300 rpm on it's own, and it'll return to idle on it's own. When it does let off the gas, and it will drive normally.

I'll ask again, has anyone here (you?) done this? I believe you originally stated that you were told this. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[lc_MS3]

Can i just add something. i work at a mazda dealership . what i've seen and heard is that it's mainly affects anyone that has a 07' pr later model. '08's like mine (YAY) haven't been having this issue. don't know if this is a bad bunch of turbos that mazda got or what but thats what i've seen. main reason why most poeple suddenly see this smoke after removing cats and doing DP installs is because a cat. is kind of like a filter for the exhaust in some ways of one of the jobs it does not the only but one. When doing a DP install specially a full DP not just a test pipe you're now removing one big ass cat converter and also a little one. some ways this is good because if you're still under warranty you'll notice your bad turbo and get it fixed right away. if you go into a dealership with after market DP installed your a idiot unless the dealership is like the one that the person who started this thread went to cause they seem really cool about mod's. unfortunitly most dealership aren't like that. it's a pain i know but put the stock DP back on and take it in and get it fixed. There is a dozen ways to tell if the turbo is bad other then just smoke so don't just go in saying i saw it smoking cause when you go in for service it more then likely won't be smoking now with the stock stuff back on and they'll more then likely say they couldn't duplicate the problem and come pick your car up. The letter mazda sent out is true mazda is well aware of this concern and have even asked some other dealerships that i have friends at that they want pictures of the car just to make sure everything is stock or with in mazdas green parts system ( i.e. speed CAI is a green part will not viod warranty ).

They design of the turbo needing back pressure i would say is false. The turbo we use on our cars is the same or like the same as other car companies use and if that was the case all would be having this problem. Also to give you guys a heads up my friends turbo went up on his 07' his warranty was voided completely so i can't help him anymore so i've called around looking for a company that would just rebuild it for him. The few companies i've found that have fixed MS3's blown seal issues will no longer rebuild ours because of serveral units they've re built keep coming back with blown seals again so there seems to be more to this. sucks for 07' don't know why yet but 08's or 08' 1/2's don't seem to be affected as bad.

Have you seen any '08's have the turbo go bad?
I have an 08 that will smoke at idle (just as cars with blown turbos are describing). And also, my car seems to be running VERY rich for some reason. All other speeds I have seen have nice exhaust tips, even when they are dirty, but mine always seems to have a thick build up of smoke/soot/residue of some sort. Any help for me?

 

[AutoXRacer]

Have you seen any '08's have the turbo go bad?
I have an 08 that will smoke at idle (just as cars with blown turbos are describing). And also, my car seems to be running VERY rich for some reason. All other speeds I have seen have nice exhaust tips, even when they are dirty, but mine always seems to have a thick build up of smoke/soot/residue of some sort. Any help for me?

My tailpipe is always black... I wash it 2-3 times a week and it only takes a few rides for the tailpipe to get all dirty...

 

[lc_MS3]

My tailpipe is always black... I wash it 2-3 times a week and it only takes a few rides for the tailpipe to get all dirty...

sorry I was in a rush typing that other post, I forgot to mention that some days after driving I will smell gas that appers to be dripping from the exhaust. Now I will be the first to tell you my ingnorance about cars, but that doesnt see like it would be good. Also, if not gas, what liquid would be dripping from my exhaust? Also in addition to the smoke at idle, I seem to have large black/brown and sometimes whiteish clouds coming from the exhaust when on the long peddle, any insight? I am taking my car tomorrow to the dealer to be checked out, I'll let you guys know what happens.

 

[Tagkat]

sorry I was in a rush typing that other post, I forgot to mention that some days after driving I will smell gas that appers to be dripping from the exhaust. Now I will be the first to tell you my ingnorance about cars, but that doesnt see like it would be good. Also, if not gas, what liquid would be dripping from my exhaust? Also in addition to the smoke at idle, I seem to have large black/brown and sometimes whiteish clouds coming from the exhaust when on the long peddle, any insight? I am taking my car tomorrow to the dealer to be checked out, I'll let you guys know what happens.

Stock or modified?

 

[lc_MS3]

Stock or modified?

Bone stock, unless tint really does add horsepower... (sssh)

 

[Falconx84]

the AP should get rid of a black tip.... that should be listed under features as a selling point!!

 

[jonscapri]

Defoul

I'll ask again, has anyone here (you?) done this? I believe you originally stated that you were told this. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Yes i have done then a couple of times when it starts to smoke, and it usually resolves the problem for me for about 5k- 6k miles.

 

[AutoXRacer]

It's supposed to do this while you're highway driving, and it' checks for several factors that cause to do this on the highway. Unfortunately most of the cars don't do this. You can manually do it, and this is how. drive around to get the car in it's normal operating temp, park turn off all of you accessories (radio, ac, heater, etc) Then press the gas, and hold it about 3500-4000 rpm for at lest 2 minutes. don't try to fluctuate the input on the pedal. The RPM will vary 200-300 rpm on it's own, and it'll return to idle on it's own. When it does let off the gas, and it will drive normally.

When you do it while highway driving, do you still have to turn off the radio? Also, how would you know its done while driving since it will not go to idle on its own? Will putting it in cruise control make it work?
I've tried to do it while driving, but I left my radio on... I also noticed you have to be in 5th gear or 4th depending on the speed limit.

Just wondering if the only way is to do it parked...

 

[AutoXRacer]

Yes i have done then a couple of times when it starts to smoke, and it usually resolves the problem for me for about 5k- 6k miles.

When you do it, is it parked or while driving?

 

[yeahbuddy661]

Hi, I am new here just came across your thread and signed up. I have a 2007 ms3 with about 10k I just had the 2nd cat removed and 3" back, an hour after install when i started up my car I noticed a cloud of white/blue smoke at idle. It now occurs just about everytime @ idle. Hope I have helped something should be done about this. Dustin.

 

[stockms3]

This really does suck, I feel like my car is a lemon lol.....

What happens if my turbo fails after 60k miles?

 

[Tagkat]

Simple buy a new turbo.