My stock '87 TII is pretty stinky, it smells like a 2-stoke outboard boat motor. I've been looking into this and pulsation damper seems to be one of the things that comes up. Where the heck is it and how do I check it? Would a fairly run of the mill mechanic be able to do anything if I can't?

Other things people have mentioned in the past is O2 sensor. I don't think this is the problem because it was replaced recently.

Do TIIs normally smell a bit?

 

do you have cats on the car?

 

It's totaly stock as mazda intended it. It did an emission test recently and did extremely well. Not anywhere close to failing. Closest part was about 1/20th of the acceptable maximum. I think that may be more an indication that the tests aren't particularly effective.

 

It looks like a plastic mushroom head where the top is pointing toward the front of the car.

When the engine is cold, start the car. Grab a flashlight and look between the alternator and the intake. You'll be shining the flashlight right at it most likely. If you see dripping gasoline, or gasoline pooling below it, its bad. Turn off your motor and don't start it again until you've replaced it with a NEW one. Otherwise, and engine fire is in your future.

I ignored the smell. Paid the penalty with an engine fire. If I wasn't in the habit of carrying a fire extinguisher, I would have lost my Vert baby. Still had to fight the insurance co from totaling it. But, glad to report she's alive and well and driving me daily to where I need to go looking goooood.

 

Turn the car off, open the hood. Stick your nose right in front of the alternator, and sniff, if you smell raw gas, id be checking out. The pulsation damper is right behind the alternator, down about 2 inches you will notice a tanish brown color piece of plastic covering it (its below the intake plenium). Its not too bad to change I did mine, even tho it wasnt bad. I just dont like fires You have to remove everything on top and the intake plenium. I changed it and the 2 o rings below the oil filter pedestal in 2 hours...

 

Thanks guys, I'll be using your info tomorrow morning.

How gas-like should the TII smell? I've had 3 people comment on how much it smells. In the car, or out of the car, it's often quite apparent. If the pulsation damper isn't the problem, what should I look at next?

I'll smell gas tomorrow, because if you open the hood it smells like gas. However, clearly I'm looking for an increase.

 

Mike,
2 hours???!!!
It took me over a week with parts and all to change the PD!! I did replace all vacuum hoses, gas line and broke the oil injection lines, but who's counting, right? What an ordeal. 2 hours is amazing!
Ralf

 

Hey does the pulsation damper do anything about how the car runs? Like does it just smell & possibly ignite a fire or does it effect how an engine runs in any way? Thanks.

 

I work on cars on a daily basis, so I get used to certain techniques and such LOL. I think it was really about 2 3/4 hours, after I had a couple of beers :o

 

Oh brother, now its getting deep!!
By the way, the PD will change the way your car runs, especially after you've burned it to the ground!!! Ask Hozzman who said his actually did that by way of the faulty PD.
At least I think I've got that right!
Ralf

 

Here is more info. and a pic.


http://home.earthlink.net/~burntoast...iondamper.html

 

I know if your car burns up, I am meaning like run hot & stuff like that. Thanks.

 

SNRUB - Just so you don't get confused the pulsation dampener is on the rear of the primary fuel rail on a 1987 T-II.

Someone mentioned it was on the front, near the alternator. It is in that location on a N/A car, but on the '87 T-II it's on the back. You'll have to take the intercooler, throttle body, and surge tank off in order to get to it. I did this on my car tonight to move my secondary fuel injectors to the promary ports and it only took me about 2 or so hours, but I've also done it 3 times in the last month or so...