Almost stalled car, smoking exhaust -- related?

[jm211]

So we decided to drive the the beach. Traffic was horrible! so many snow birds it wasn't funny.

Anyways, I was doing a lot of idling and a lot of first gear under 1500 RPM. It was about 40 minutes of that on the way there -- no smoke.


On the way back I was idling/low rpm driving for about 5 minutes. Not paying attention I almost clunked it out. The battery light came on but it didn't stall as i depressed clutch right away. It wasn't too violent either.


Anyways, shortly (10-15 seconds) after this incident (wife laughed at me) I noticed smoke out the back end. gave it some gas and more smoke (light in color gray).


I was able to go in second and gave it some nice gas and got a small smoke screen going. It did this for not too long. Turned onto the bridge, shifted at 3k each time and got in 3rd gave some more gas and the smoking stopped.


After the bridge I hit 3 more stop and go as well as 2 long red lights. -- no smoke.



I've done this almost stall it out before. (backing up on an incline didn't go well) We survived without stalling but shortly after noticed smoke.


I've had it idle for 10 minutes with no smoke so I'm not sure what cause it.
Any ideas?

I think it might be related to a rich condition caused by almost stalling (the battery light came on as my rpm dropped to near zero)



** Side notes ***
uses 5w-30
never smoking issues before
mods are in sig - I have my cats too

I'm thinking about just moving to heavier weight to avoid any issues, is this a good idea!?

[Poohster]

Are you close to an oil change? Maybe fuel dilution? Won't hurt to go 5W40.

[jm211]

I am due for new oil. In fact I just purchased a new filter and can. Just waiting to pick up the oil. (about 6 months but only 3,000 miles at most)

If there is zero negatives for the heavy oil then I might as well try that.

Rotella T5? (Think thats the 10w-40)


I also only buy gas from shell at one specific pump. I drive about 350-500 miles per month and never had issues. Shit, I hardly ever drive it hard either.



My only thought was a bunch of un-burnt gas entering crankcase due to me almost stalling. Not sure though...



Edit: Not sure about previous owner but I can only assume I am on oem plugs --haven't check (IknowIknow..) I am at 56k miles and know I need some plugs.

It drives smooth though. No hicups except for the stock tune. normal idle and steady power throughout band --except redline but again thats the stock tune.

[Poohster]

rotella T5 is 5W40. At one time, I used 5W50. Most here would not advise that. DISI sbuject the oil to fuel dilution so around 3-4K miles, the oil is slightly thinner. I have been running 5W40 for about 40K with a Bnoon restrictor bolt. Most smoking at idle is oil seeping through the turbo oil seals. Could look at the Valve Cover TSB or the change the turbo TSB.

[jm211]

did some searching about the rotella quick

T5 is 10w-40 and is a semi-synthetic blend
T6 is 5w-40 and is a full synthetic blend (but not energy conserving so less MPG)


Bova did a UOA and both the T5 and T6 performed equally well up to 5000 miles.




What I don't get about my issue is why didn't it seep past on the way to the beach. I idle 4 times as long. On the way home its wasn't as much idling and there was my "accidental" almost clunked it out. Then the smoke.



As for the plugs, I think im just gona get the NGK OEM's. jscspeed has then for 55$ for a 4 pack. I wont bother with the denso's and I think the 1 step colder will just foul out too quickly.

[6Y MAZDA]

i use t6. also with t6 you can go at least 6000 miles without changing oil. 6-8k mile oil change intervals is great.

[TiGraySpeed6]

T6, you want the 5-40.
If mileage is a concern you would actually lower your mileage ever so slightly on a 10 weight since it's thicker. FWIW, I could even /feel/ the extra drag, which really surprised me.

I found that when the seals first start to wear out the smoking starts with a combination of old oil and a low idle event as that momentary loss of vacuum allows oil to build up in the turbo and the old, hot, thin oil can penetrate the seal into the exhaust side.

Change your oil and upgrade to the t6 5w40. Next steps to address the smoking symptom include raising the idle and using a banjo bolt with specs small enough to prevent oil building up, often just called an oil restrictor bolt, or bnoon bolt.

Eventually the seals will just simply fail and it will smoke every time you idle, at which point you rebuild, replace or upgrade.

[scubasteve711]

Another t6 fan here... I was fortunate enough to get my turbo swapped out under warranty though.

[bazzarino]

++ 1 on the Rotella.....this DISI engine loves this oil, I was on redline syn but switched over due to the popularity and costs (picked up a gallon for $22 bucks @ walmart)

Originally Posted by TiGraySpeed6

Eventually the seals will just simply fail and it will smoke every time you idle, at which point you rebuild, replace or upgrade.

hey if it still smokes.....get a beaner.......everyone's doing it, eh Ti!

[TiGraySpeed6]

It makes for a heck of an upgrade, no doubt about it.

Even better, it's hundreds cheaper than a new K04 from mazda, and about $100 cheaper than the new K04 that edgeautosport has for sale, so it's tough to argue about better performance, better price and never smoking for what is essentially a bolt in turbo