rbryant4

Got a 2009 2.0 mazda 3 sedan with 85k miles.
That should tell you this car hasn't been drove much.

It's the wife's car, but we work together.
5 years ago I got a new ride and her car has basically set except for the occasional runs to the store. Small trips.

So we have neglected it.
Today I had to drive it 20 miles round trip.

On the way home on the interstate it blows out a CLOUD of smoke.
I'm talking one large puff enough to cover both lanes of traffic for a brief second.

I pull over. My father in law insist I'm crazy and it was the car behind me smoking?

Check the oil. Level looks fine.
Look the car over. No smoke.
Check coolant. It's fine.
No Check engine lights nothing.


right before this. My fuel light comes on.
So I stop at the station to fill. I see the guy is filling the gas station with fuel.
I make a joke to my father in law I shouldn't get gas here. I've heard with them filling the tanks it swishs the dirt around in the bottom and that's how you get "bad gas"

I put 3 1/2 gallons in the car.
And shortly after is when I got the smoke.

So part of me wants to blame that gas I shouldn't have bought. Even tho I don't know how "real" of a concern that is?

Anyways. I jump back in. Drive it to the next interstate exit. Fill the car with gas all the way. Hoping to "dilute" the bad gas enough.

Hasn't smoked since then.
Idles fine
No Check engine lights or anything.

When I got it home. I left it idle in the driveway for about an hour. No smoke. No issues.



So Google everything I can.
There's so many maybe and probably issues.
Fuel injector bad
Head gasket
Cracked head
Leaking coolant
Water in gas


Honestly I think the fuel lines and fuel rail and everything was just dirty?
It does seem to hesitate when I "punch" it. But then again I'm used to a v8 truck and hardly ever drive her car?