1988 Mazda 323 GT problem help...

[unknownlogistic]

ok well i just picked up a 1988 Mazda 323 GT Sedan....runs great however smoke comes from the hood a bit and out of the exhaust...i was told that it could be the turbo seal .....anyone know what it could be and if so where i can get the part???? thanks in advance!

[unknownlogistic]

anyone???

[MaleficusZX2]

Pop off your upper intake pipe(the one that goes from the intercooler to the trottle body), check for oil. If you find oil, yes, it's your turbo seal(s). Plan on replacing that turbo soon. If it's smoking under the hood, I'd bet it's your head gasket or a cracked exhaust manifold.

Are you getting decent boost? I'm not entirely sure how high the BPT boosts stock, but check around, you should be able to find out pretty easily. If you're not boosting as much as you should, leaky exhaust manifold is a good bet.

[MaleficusZX2]

Actually, I think the '88 is still the b6t, if so it's supposed to boost to about 8.5 psi stock. If your boost gauge is right in the middle or near the middle between 5 and 10(my Capri with a b6t has a 0-5-10-15 boost gauge, I bet your's is similar), you're good on the exhaust manifold.

[pdxgtx]

how many miles on that car? does the car overheat or heat up and cool down successively? cloudy, gross looking oil on your dipstick and under your oil cap is a dead give-away of a blown head gasket.

your turbo is probably on its way out. if you do as MaleficusZX2 says and check the intake plumbing for oil or oil in the intercooler, you ca see if it is the turbo. now, a little bit of residual oil is expected, but if you are burning it bad enough for smoke to come from under the hood...

have a shop or someone with a compression kit check the cylinders. if your engine is ok, a new turbo (or an upgrade VJ14/VJ11 hybrid) can be sourced from www.corksport.com. talk to Derrick. if you plan on keeping this car, corksport will be your place for parts no doubt.

MaleficusZX2 is right that the 323 GT and the Capri XR2 share the same engine. if you are lucky and can pin down a Capri in the junk yard you may be able to pull the turbo for your car.

good luck!