9G Redline

Aight, tonight I was putting somet stuff in my trunk when I noticed a bitter sweet smell coming from the back of the car. I bent down closer to the tail pipes and it was the exhaust. I'm used to smelling the richness in the exhaust, but this was completely different. Three nights prior I was sitting at idle, the car was warm, and the RPMs dropped almost to the point of shutting down. I was like...wtf?!?! I redlined the car a couple times on the way back and it was fine.

Now I've done a search and can't find what I'm looking for. I remember reading somewhere that coolant leaking into the housing can cause the exhaust to change its smell. I've also been having my coolant light come off and on every couple hundred miles. I have to add to it to keep the light off.

So what could be the problem? Is it possible that the coolant is getting into the housing somehow and causing this. I didn't see if a CEL went off, it happened suddenly then corrected itself immediately.

I plan on taking the car by the dealership on my next trip home and getting them to check on it. Comments and suggestions appreciated.

Kev

Go48

Typical symptoms of blown coolant seal(s) in the engine. Time for a visit to a Mazda dealer. And soon. Pray that they are savvy enough to diagnose the problem correctly. Hope your warranty is still in effect, 'cause if this is, in fact, the problem they will be replacing the engine.

Gomez

Hmmm, those symptoms do not indicate a happy ending. Coolant leakage into the engine is often a result of high rpm workouts before the car is fully up to temp....

9G Redline

I don't rev past 3k until the temp gauge is up to running temp (middle of the gauge) and usually I still wait a little longer before playtime begins. I love this car so much I don't want to damage it. I keep very good checks on the oil, always keeping it full.

I only have 27k on the engine, bought it May o4, and have a 100K mi. warrantee. So if I do have to get a new engine (hypothetically) will my warrantee start over or will it just pick up where this engine left off?

Thanks for the comments!

Kev

lurch519

balance of warranty, so you will have about 73 k left

9G Redline

Okay...that's not so bad.

DarkBrew

Mine has strange smells but it could just be rotary specific.
Does your coolant level fluctuate? (Always checked with the engine warm) Mine has been and when I discussed this with the lead tech at the dealer he took this as an indication of possible internal seal leaks. Not sure what will come of this yet but the situation is on record and is being monitored.

Go48

If coolant is getting into your engine combustion chamber(s) your exhaust should emit whitish smoke and it should have a sweet smell. If you have no smoke and the exhaust just smells like gas-oil burning, you may have a small coolant leak. There have been a number of reports of leaky water pumps so check for coolant under the front of your engine where there is a weep hole for your water pump.

9G Redline

I've looked after I've driven the car and I don't see anything in the coolant tank. I think that there's just enough in there right now that it's keeping the light off. I had the dealer at my last oil change, 2k ago, fill the tank to proper level and there's nothing there now. The thing with the smell is that I'm not the only one who has meantioned it. My girlfriend spends about as much time in my car as I do (as a passenger only). She pointed it out last night. She has always complained about the rich smell in it normally and last night she goes, "What's the sweetish smell?" So, yea...don't know when I'll get the chance to head back to the dealer.

Go48

You would be smart to take it to a dealer soon to have them do a coolant leakdown test to determine where the stuff is going. If the problem is an internal engine coolant seal, a rough-running engine will tell you that as it's condition deteriorates. Don't wait until it strands you somewhere that you don't want to be stranded.

9G Redline

It runs smooth while in motion/gear and such. Idle has gotten significantly rougher than the usual shudder from the injectors switching idle duty. I'll try to head home asap. Keep posting if anyone else has something to say.

Gomez

My car has done 40,000 kilometres......never used a drop of coolant.

VOODOO8

Sure does sound (smell...) like you've got coolant entering the combustion chambers to me. I've had piston driven engines where the head gasket started to leak and the smell was the same as what has been described.

9G Redline

That's what I've been afraid of. My biggest concern is my folks. They help pay for the car while I'm in school and getting a refurbished engine wouldn't sound good to them. They may want me to trade it. I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it, if I get to it.

Rich Rx-8

My exhaust sometimes smells like egg mcmuffins but I kinda like it.

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

Is this an AT or MT? Did you buy the car new?

Go48

Isn't your warranty still in effect? If it is, the new engine will not cost you anything.

9G Redline

Lol!!! That would just make me hungry and then wonder what my car has been eating.

9G Redline

Nemesis...It's a MT and I bought it new with 182 miles on it.

Go48...warrantee is still good. I have the 100K and there's only 27K on her now.

CERAMICSEAL

Definitely sounds like coolant. If the odor is coming from the exhaust you could have problems. Since you are losing coolant it's a somewhat serious situation any way you look at it. Take it to your dealer as soon as possible.