1988 Other Mazda Models my truck smells

1988 MAZDA
200,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
MUSICIAN88
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks in advance!! well, I mostly need help changing an alternator..Maybe not I'll go look again, but, my exhaust is a str8 up James Bond smokescreen and its toxic. It leaves uber-skids of gaseous sludge and makes the neighborhood a purple haze.
Yes, also, do you have a diagram of any sort to show the whereabouts of my alternator? I'm sure I'll figure out what to do; I've changed one before. Just don't know where them crazy japanese put the damned thing. Oh and if your japanese, don't read the last two sentences.
Apr 9, 2008 at 6:13 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
SERVICE WRITER
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 9,123 POSTS
IS the smoke worse when it sets overnight. May be oil leaking past the rings.

Locate your belts and look at each pulley, one of them is the alternater.
Apr 9, 2008 at 7:52 PM
Avatar
MUSICIAN88
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
yes, in fact it tends to smell worse from sitting for a couple of days...The smell isn't near the engine at all though, just a purpleish blue haze rocketing from the exhaust pipe. So much for buying from an old family friend, eh?...It's spent more time down than up lately what with the alternator/power issues. My front 'tweeter' speaker fell out leaving the pos and neg 'wires' unterminated...could that be draining my power? Thx btw 4 the info.
Apr 9, 2008 at 9:03 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
SERVICE WRITER
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 9,123 POSTS
Check for oil leakage onto the exhaust manifold/front pipe area, robably seaping onto it...potential fire hazard if so.

You'll need a DVOM to check the parasitic draw on the battery. IT should be less than 30 milliamps. IF it's over, pull a fuse one at a time until the draw drops into spec, then start checking that circuit.
Apr 10, 2008 at 5:57 AM