Smells problem
1988 Other Mazda Models 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 200000 miles
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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.

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.

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.

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.