SlvrSnake
Full Access Member
Ok, I know this is the truck forum but I gots some advice to ask. Please read. I am fit to be tied over this.
My wife has an 07 Mazda3 we bought new. Never took it in for any kind of service, has 15K on it. I have changed the oil regulary in it and from the very first time I noticed oil around the drain plug (could have just been loose) but could not determine exactly where it was coming from. It was only a small amount so I was not to concerned with it. After the last two oil changes I can now see wetness around the seal to the pan where it meets the block. Was to the extent where there was oil inside the bolts as well.
So we had some other minor issues, flickering dash, and hinky automatic wipers. Took it in for warranty work.
Explain the problem and the service manager keeps asking me about aftermarket parts (there are none). Tells me about a diagnostic fee and if I caused the damage, I have to pay. Gave me an example of sticking change in the radio. Told him that is not the case, these are legitimate issues I want looked at. Should have known better then but there are not many Mazda dealerships around.
Get a call the next day from the dealership. We found nothing. Oil was from me not wiping down the oil filter housing, which is in front of and above the oil pan. The leak is in the rear of the vehicle mind you and blocked by the oil pan. Said it was blow by. Apparently oil in a Mazda defies the laws of gravity and physics and simply adheres where it wants to. There is also an undercover which is about 2 inches away from the pan when installed. See attached pics and let me know what you think. Looking for some advice on this. Could not just leave the car there. My wife is pregnant and has a 2 year old to deal with. Suo playing games for the week was not an option. Had to pick it up.
I called Mazda and filed a complaint because I had to pay $124 for absolutely nothing, after exploding on the service manger for paying fees on a bumper to bumper warranty. Also they wiped the oil away to attempt to hide the problem. It is a big job to remove the oil pan, pulleys, belts have to be cut off and replaced, ignitioin coils, crank shaft position sensor, coolant resavoir, and AC compressor all need to come off. Might be why they tried to dodge it and rip me off. Why? No idea, it is warranty work.
Pics were taken immediately after picking up car from ripoff artists.
Under Cover. Drain plug is just behind the lip when installed.
Look at RTV seal, you can see it is wet. Also remnents of the oil they tried to wipe out of the bolt heads. How does blow by from the front go down and then back up and stick into the seal in the rear of the engine? Yet leave no trace in the front??????
Oil Pan Rear
The so called culprit. Oil filter housing, cartrige type. Note the dry seal on the oil pan and clean bolt heads on this side. No leak.
My wife has an 07 Mazda3 we bought new. Never took it in for any kind of service, has 15K on it. I have changed the oil regulary in it and from the very first time I noticed oil around the drain plug (could have just been loose) but could not determine exactly where it was coming from. It was only a small amount so I was not to concerned with it. After the last two oil changes I can now see wetness around the seal to the pan where it meets the block. Was to the extent where there was oil inside the bolts as well.
So we had some other minor issues, flickering dash, and hinky automatic wipers. Took it in for warranty work.
Explain the problem and the service manager keeps asking me about aftermarket parts (there are none). Tells me about a diagnostic fee and if I caused the damage, I have to pay. Gave me an example of sticking change in the radio. Told him that is not the case, these are legitimate issues I want looked at. Should have known better then but there are not many Mazda dealerships around.
Get a call the next day from the dealership. We found nothing. Oil was from me not wiping down the oil filter housing, which is in front of and above the oil pan. The leak is in the rear of the vehicle mind you and blocked by the oil pan. Said it was blow by. Apparently oil in a Mazda defies the laws of gravity and physics and simply adheres where it wants to. There is also an undercover which is about 2 inches away from the pan when installed. See attached pics and let me know what you think. Looking for some advice on this. Could not just leave the car there. My wife is pregnant and has a 2 year old to deal with. Suo playing games for the week was not an option. Had to pick it up.
I called Mazda and filed a complaint because I had to pay $124 for absolutely nothing, after exploding on the service manger for paying fees on a bumper to bumper warranty. Also they wiped the oil away to attempt to hide the problem. It is a big job to remove the oil pan, pulleys, belts have to be cut off and replaced, ignitioin coils, crank shaft position sensor, coolant resavoir, and AC compressor all need to come off. Might be why they tried to dodge it and rip me off. Why? No idea, it is warranty work.
Pics were taken immediately after picking up car from ripoff artists.
Under Cover. Drain plug is just behind the lip when installed.
Look at RTV seal, you can see it is wet. Also remnents of the oil they tried to wipe out of the bolt heads. How does blow by from the front go down and then back up and stick into the seal in the rear of the engine? Yet leave no trace in the front??????
Oil Pan Rear
The so called culprit. Oil filter housing, cartrige type. Note the dry seal on the oil pan and clean bolt heads on this side. No leak.
