2014 Mazda 3

[travajante]

Not my style, but here's another take on the sedan.

I dunno the kit's brand & have no plans of finding out.:D
A blessed Sunday, Mown3rs!

[jetspeed]

Hi gurus. I know this has been discussed before but I don't think it was proper much attention since. I've been a lurker here and this is my 1st time posting. I acquired my m3 v November of last year. Whenever I go about 140 kph or more * around 4000rpm or higher, strange acrid smell(more like chemical they use in hair salons) always comes out of the ac vent. It never got to pull over and inspect. I've been to 3 dealerships but none was able to address the issue. I simply love the car, but I won't put up with the pungent smell whenever I go over speed limits for the next few years or so until I sell the car. Anyone else experiencing the same? Thanks.

[jetspeed]

Hi gurus. I know this has been discussed before but I don't think it was proper much attention since. I've been a lurker here and this is my 1st time posting. I acquired my m3 v November of last year. Whenever I go about 140 kph or more * around 4000rpm or higher, strange acrid smell(more like chemical they use in hair salons) always comes out of the ac vent. It never got to pull over and inspect. I've been to 3 dealerships but none was able to address the issue. I simply love the car, but I won't put up with the pungent smell whenever I go over speed limits for the next few years or so until I sell the car. Anyone else experiencing the same? Thanks.

[travajante]

Part of the SkyActiv advantage- the stock 4-2-1 headers on their engines. You might see gains going aftermarket, but those won't be optimized without a tune. IMO, while we still have Yojin, I'd keep the mods mild & reversible.
On the horn upgrade, bumper removal is needed. An extra relay, not. Mount the pair symmetrically, 1 on the stock LH location, the other on the RH, so you'll need to line the extention, but basic plug&play.
And....if you're ever thinking exhaust, wait for the GrandMast3r Geo_S Mod. That 1 should be out soon:D

[jetspeed]

Hi gurus. I know this has been discussed before but I don't think it was proper much attention since. I've been a lurker here and this is my 1st time posting. I acquired my m3 v November of last year. Whenever I go about 140 kph or more * around 4000rpm or higher, strange acrid smell(more like chemical they use in hair salons) always comes out of the ac vent. It never got to pull over and inspect. I've been to 3 dealerships but none was able to address the issue. I simply love the car, but I won't put up with the pungent smell whenever I go over speed limits for the next few years or so until I sell the car. Anyone else experiencing the same? Thanks.

[jetspeed]

Hi gurus. I know this has been discussed before but I don't think it was proper much attention since. I've been a lurker here and this is my 1st time posting. I acquired my m3 v November of last year. Whenever I go about 140 kph or more * around 4000rpm or higher, strange acrid smell(more like chemical they use in hair salons) always comes out of the ac vent. It never got to pull over and inspect. I've been to 3 dealerships but none was able to address the issue. I simply love the car, but I won't put up with the pungent smell whenever I go over speed limits for the next few years or so until I sell the car. Anyone else experiencing the same? Thanks.

[jetspeed]

Hi gurus. I know this has been discussed before but I don't think it was given proper attention. I've been a lurker here and this is my 1st time posting. I acquired my m3 V variant November of last year. Whenever I go about 140 kph or more * around 4000rpm or higher, strange acrid smell(more like chemical they use in hair salons) always comes out of the ac vent. I never got to pull over and inspect. I've been to 3 dealerships but none was able to address the issue. I simply love the car, but I won't put up with the pungent smell whenever I go over speed limits for the next few years or so until I sell the car. Anyone else experiencing the same? Thanks.

[travajante]

Great advice there testa, brah. I didn't hook europas on mine & all the while presumed the stock relay was sufficient. I got the aforementioned hobo EC6 on. Even those are upgrades already. Haha.
Apologies.

[franzb81]

Anybody know where you can buy the after market led running lights around the fog lamps?

[travajante]

Anybody know where you can buy the after market led running lights around the fog lamps?

Get on FB. Our GrandMast3rs Testa & Geo will point you to the 'Sourcerers': ModFather Gilbert Corleone Chan, Louie Anson Ng & other vendors.

[jetspeed]

Hi gurus. I know this has been briefly discussed before but I don't think it was given proper attention. I've always been a lurker here and this is my first time to post. I acquired my M3 V variant in November of last year. Whenever I go about 140kph or more at around 4000rpm or higher, strange acrid smell(more like chemical they use in hair salons) comes out of the ac vent everytime. I've been to three dealerships and none was able to address the on-going issue. I simply love the car, but I'm not putting up with the pungent smell whenever I go over speed limit for the next years until I sell the car. Anyone else experiencing the same? Thanks.

[travajante]

Hi gurus. I know this has been briefly discussed before but I don't think it was given proper attention. I've always been a lurker here and this is my first time to post. I acquired my M3 V variant in November of last year. Whenever I go about 140kph or more at around 4000rpm or higher, strange acrid smell(more like chemical they use in hair salons) comes out of the ac vent everytime. I've been to three dealerships and none was able to address the on-going issue. I simply love the car, but I'm not putting up with the pungent smell whenever I go over speed limit for the next years until I sell the car. Anyone else experiencing the same? Thanks.

What you're experiencing is pretty common, jet sir. It's just the car doing everything it can to tell you to slow down. it's perfectly normal. What petrol are you filling the M3?
Lemme offer you a hypothesis/calculated guess.
The sulfur smell, 'rotten egg' or salon odor is likely caused by sulfur in the gasoline. Sulfur is normally reduced or even eliminated during the refining process, but the regulation of sulfur in gasoline differs from country or region to region. Vehicles using fuel containing sulfur will most likely emit that smell from the exhaust system at high speeds/higher temps.

When sulfur in fuel is burned, the chemical reaction in the catalytic converter causes the sulfur to oxidize. The reaction odor in the Cat will decrease with mileage and age.

Note: Replacing the catalytic converter will not eliminate smell and replacement will just extend the period of time needed for the converter to 'age' allowing it to reduce sulfur smell to an acceptable level.

Hope the hypothesis convinces you to drive within the speed limits & to keep your awesome car long term.:D

[jetspeed]

What you're experiencing is pretty common, jet sir. It's just the car doing everything it can to tell you to slow down. it's perfectly normal. What petrol are you filling the M3?
Lemme offer you a hypothesis/calculated guess.
The sulfur smell, 'rotten egg' or salon odor is likely caused by sulfur in the gasoline. Sulfur is normally reduced or even eliminated during the refining process, but the regulation of sulfur in gasoline differs from country or region to region. Vehicles using fuel containing sulfur will most likely emit that smell from the exhaust system at high speeds/higher temps.

When sulfur in fuel is burned, the chemical reaction in the catalytic converter causes the sulfur to oxidize. The reaction odor in the Cat will decrease with mileage and age.

Note: Replacing the catalytic converter will not eliminate smell and replacement will just extend the period of time needed for the converter to 'age' allowing it to reduce sulfur smell to an acceptable level.

Hope the hypothesis convinces you to drive within the speed limits & to keep your awesome car long term.:D

Thanks Travajante sir. I'm somewhat relieved. You're actually one of the knowledgeable people here whom I look forward to reply to my query. Been always using Petron super xtra gasoline 91 ron and nothing else. I know, I'm stubborn in spite of hearing that Petron fuels and our Skyactiv powerplant don't go together well. Thought of switching to the recommended Shell but since I learned that Petron's refinery is now euro 4, I held back.

Oh just realized I also experience the foul odor at only 120kph but with wide open throttle I guess. Do you think it's still too fast? I've clocked 7k kilometers, cat still fairly new not to emit the odor?

Lastly don't worry sir, I'm a very responsible driver, way over my fast&furious days. I just stretch the M3's legs every once in a while on SCTEX and SLEX when there are no other cars around. I don't do sustained high speeds. When the needle hits 140 or more I get off the gas pedal and let it drop back to 100 or 80kph

[travajante]

Ok, jet sir. Here's an in-depth explanation beyond the hypothesis I shared.....
What exactly is that awful smell? It's hydrogen sulfide or H2S. Fart!!! It does not exist in the fuel nor oil, which is why you can't smell it at the gas station. It does, however, come from the gasoline. Almost all gasoline contains some amount of organic sulfur compounds with sulfur levels ranging from 30 to 100 parts per million, approximately.
As the fuel burns, the organic sulfur compounds break down into simpler compounds. If the engine is running lean (more air than is needed to burn the fuel), the sulfur is likely to be SO2, or sulfur dioxide. The catalytic converter can change this into SO3 (sulfur trioxide), which then reacts with the catalyst to form sulfates on the catalyst. Over several minutes there is a build up of sulfates. If the engine suddenly starts to run rich (not enough air to burn all the fuel), such as when you stop at a red light, climb a steep hill, drive spiritedly, or brake hard to slow down, the chemistry changes. Now the sulfates are unstable and they react to form hydrogen sulfide, which is expelled from the exhaust pipe all at once. The high concentration is the reason for the bad smell! This effect is a common problem with just about any new vehicle of ANY BRAND/MAKE because the catalyst is working at a very high efficiency. However, as the catalyst ages, the activity drops. Fortunately for us, one of the first reactions to be affected is the formation of hydrogen sulfide. So as the catalyst gets older, the smell will go away. It should also be noted that many catalysts never smell bad. One reason might be because the vehicle doesn't run lean for much of the time, or perhaps the catalyst has an extra component that reduces the production of hydrogen sulfide.

It's not just your M3, jet....all new-ish cars complain when pushed beyond speed limits.
By the way, have you dropped by page 346 to map your mod plans out?:D

[jetspeed]

Ok, jet sir. Here's an in-depth explanation beyond the hypothesis I shared.....
What exactly is that awful smell? It's hydrogen sulfide or H2S. Fart!!! It does not exist in the fuel nor oil, which is why you can't smell it at the gas station. It does, however, come from the gasoline. Almost all gasoline contains some amount of organic sulfur compounds with sulfur levels ranging from 30 to 100 parts per million, approximately.
As the fuel burns, the organic sulfur compounds break down into simpler compounds. If the engine is running lean (more air than is needed to burn the fuel), the sulfur is likely to be SO2, or sulfur dioxide. The catalytic converter can change this into SO3 (sulfur trioxide), which then reacts with the catalyst to form sulfates on the catalyst. Over several minutes there is a build up of sulfates. If the engine suddenly starts to run rich (not enough air to burn all the fuel), such as when you stop at a red light, climb a steep hill, drive spiritedly, or brake hard to slow down, the chemistry changes. Now the sulfates are unstable and they react to form hydrogen sulfide, which is expelled from the exhaust pipe all at once. The high concentration is the reason for the bad smell! This effect is a common problem with just about any new vehicle of ANY BRAND/MAKE because the catalyst is working at a very high efficiency. However, as the catalyst ages, the activity drops. Fortunately for us, one of the first reactions to be affected is the formation of hydrogen sulfide. So as the catalyst gets older, the smell will go away. It should also be noted that many catalysts never smell bad. One reason might be because the vehicle doesn't run lean for much of the time, or perhaps the catalyst has an extra component that reduces the production of hydrogen sulfide.

It's not just your M3, jet....all new-ish cars complain when pushed beyond speed limits.
By the way, have you dropped by page 346 to map your mod plans out?:D

Much deeper sigh of relief here, thanks for enlightening further! It's just that something burning/chemical smell is pretty annoying as it lingers in the cabin for a few minutes after it comes out. Not even sure how badly it affects one's health when inhaled.

Haha I knew you were gonna ask me to go to page 346 for the mods! Don't have time yet for some major mods sir. So far I've only installed rhino lip, and Anson's foglight DRL assembly and rear camera. Just keeping the car in tip top shape and immaculately clean for now. I'll post some pics of my white sedan when I finally figure out how to. Can't even reply to thread using my mobile

[macsd]

Much deeper sigh of relief here, thanks for enlightening further! It's just that something burning/chemical smell is pretty annoying as it lingers in the cabin for a few minutes after it comes out. Not even sure how badly it affects one's health when inhaled. =

Is this a generic problem for M3 like the explorer ? Can't have 2 cars smelling shits when RPM goes up.

[Yatta]

I think the solution is simpler. Get your aircon system cleaned. If you are smelling something coming from the fuel or exhaust system ,you have a dangerous problem (which I doubt). I couod be wrong but If I remwmber my chemistry (my wife is still asleep and she is a chemist), but sulfur dioxide is already stable so its impossible to form sulfur trioxide.. The extra oxygen will not bond.

[travajante]

Thanks Travajante sir. I'm somewhat relieved. You're actually one of the knowledgeable people here whom I look forward to reply to my query. Been always using Petron super xtra gasoline 91 ron and nothing else. I know, I'm stubborn in spite of hearing that Petron fuels and our Skyactiv powerplant don't go together well. Thought of switching to the recommended Shell but since I learned that Petron's refinery is now euro 4, I held back.

Oh just realized I also experience the foul odor at only 120kph but with wide open throttle I guess. Do you think it's still too fast? I've clocked 7k kilometers, cat still fairly new not to emit the odor?

Lastly don't worry sir, I'm a very responsible driver, way over my fast&furious days. I just stretch the M3's legs every once in a while on SCTEX and SLEX when there are no other cars around. I don't do sustained high speeds. When the needle hits 140 or more I get off the gas pedal and let it drop back to 100 or 80kph

AnytiM3!
Just kidding about keeping speeds w/in limits, jet sir. By all means, rip it w/ caution.
I'm not saying fuels that doesn't say Shell aren't any good. Just don't wanna give the techs & Yojin a scapegoat should a lean code pop.
Motor on, Mown3r!

[travajante]

I think the solution is simpler. Get your aircon system cleaned. If you are smelling something coming from the fuel or exhaust system ,you have a dangerous problem (which I doubt). I couod be wrong but If I remwmber my chemistry (my wife is still asleep and she is a chemist), but sulfur dioxide is already stable so its impossible to form sulfur trioxide.. The extra oxygen will not bond.

You could be right, too, Yatta sir, my chem might all be rusty.....but our focus is on H2S.
Simple digging will tell us that
unwanted reactions can occur in the three-way catalyst, such as the formation of odoriferous hydrogen sulfide and ammonia. Formation of each can be limited by modifications to the washcoat and precious metals used. It is difficult to eliminate these byproducts entirely. Sulfur-free or low-sulfur fuels eliminate or reduce hydrogen sulfide.
For example, when control of hydrogen-sulfide emissions is desired, nickel or manganese is added to the washcoat. Both substances act to block the absorption of sulfur by the washcoat. Hydrogen sulfide is formed when the washcoat has absorbed sulfur during a low-temperature part of the operating cycle, which is then released during the high-temperature part of the cycle and the sulfur combines with Hydrocarbons.
Any sulfur in the fuel can be oxidized to SO2 (sulfur dioxide) or even SO3 (sulfur trioxide) in the combustion chamber. If sulfur passes over a catalyst, it may be further oxidized in the catalyst, i.e., SO2 may be further oxidized to SO3. Sulfur oxides are precursors to sulfuric acid, a major component of acid rain. While it is possible to add substances such as vanadium to the catalyst washcoat to combat sulfur-oxide formation, such addition will reduce the effectiveness of the catalyst. The most effective solution is to further refine fuel at the refinery to produce ultra-low sulfur diesel.

Wiki makes good sense......not all the time, I know, I don't believe everything I read either....& no1 has to w/ all the nonsense I say.

[Djerms]

Hi guys, planning to get an mz3 2.0. Any common problems, issues I should know about? Many thanks