96 79,000KM Doing some routine service. Plugs, wires, power steering reservoir replacement and noticed some buildup in the intercooler piping. I have recently developed a flooding issue and also noticed an oil leak from what looks to be the turbo oil return. Could just be the gasket but can’t really tell if it’s coming from higher up. What y’all think?

 

Excess oil in intercooler piping is usually due to overfilled oil, excessive crank case pressure, turbo oil drain restriction, or leaking turbo oil seals. Check your crank case ventilation before looking at anything else, it's usually the major cuase.

 

a little oil is kind of normal too

 

Yes, especially on a stock car oil in the charge pipes is normal. An amount that can be poured out is excessive. It would be worth checking the pcv valve. We have found quite a few stock ones that don't pass air in either direction. Although with a 96, I don't think you have a pcv valve off the oil neck.

 

If you are new to owning a 1996, be aware that Mazda changed the coil positions from that year going forward.

There is a risk someone not aware of that will hook up the coil harness or spark plug wires in the wrong order.

This is very dangerous to the motor.

The USDM FSM only shows the prior way to hook things up.

A clear sign of trouble is if your car is running very rough after someone has done some work around the spark plugs,

Even a simple change of spark plugs can lead to the problem.

 

Regarding overfilled oil, what happens is that there is a venting pipe from the top of the oil filler neck to the intake in front of the front turbo. Overfill the oil and it will flow through that pipe into your front turbo.

Many people block of that pipe at the turbo and run the venting pipe tp a seperate catch can, which is vented, in turn.

Simply plugging the vent nipple may cause the engine to stall.

 

Thanks for all the feedback.