G'Day Scotty, Subscriber from Australia
I have a 2015 Mazda BT-50, basically a Ford Ranger with the Mazda badge on it. It has a 3.2L 5 cylinder turbo diesel engine, with a manuel transmission, and do believe that America does not import these models with the five cylinder engines, and I do know that you people in America aren't that keen in diesels. However you maybe able to help out here. When my father was following behind in his car one time, he pointed out that nearly every gear change alittle puff of black smoke exhales from the exhaust, I know that diesel will have the occasional puff of smoke, but it never used to do that. And may I add that I am standard type driver I don't drive aggressively or slowly, I'm in the middle. However if I do harsh accelerations then I can see behind me a thick plume of black smoke, I have the feeling she maybe running abit rich, I usually service it myself, I'm gonna take it in for a proper service at the Mazda dealer within 2 weeks time, what should I reqest them to do? A tune in the computer?, injecter cleaning?, or something else you can think of? Let me know.
Cheers
Will black smoke is a symptom that shows engine is running rich try and check their clean I've never worked on one of those cuz I don't sell them here but I'm assuming it's still a modern Diesel with electronic controls and that could be checked out by a good Mazda diesel mechanic. But if it has mechanical fuel injection system then generally that's a problem inside the injector pump itself but sometimes it's simple timing adjustment other times it's a bigger deal
Yeah it's a computer controlled fuel injection system. And yeah I didn't think America got these vehicles imported. I'll talk with a person who knows how to work on these things, they might know more. BTW, you mentioned that at other times it's a bigger deal, what did you mean by that? Could I have a more serious problem on my hands? Say the best and the worst case scenario.?
Sounds like you’re describing most diesel vehicles.
Do you seldom drive it on the highway at high speeds/long distances? Is your fuel efficiency reduced?
Well I do alot of highway driving, and I only noticed fuel efficiency drop due to putting new type of tyres on, changed them from highway terrain too all terrain, so my advice there is, if you value fuel efficiency, stick to highway terrain tyres. I'm gonna talk to a dealership mechanic and see what he can suggest.
Yup, AT tyres will negatively affect fuel efficiency, if you drive mostly on the highway.