Part 1: Weird Dipstick reading
Bought a 2017 CX5 touring 2.5L Non-Turbo and driven a few thousand kms since. Full service history with Mazda, 135k km OD, appeared to be in great condition and drove well.
After purchasing I noticed the oil read just on minimum which I found odd as it had a recent documented service. So I topped it up to just over full. Over the next couple weeks I notced it seemed to have dropped slightly back to just full.
Recently I did full oil change with filter (around 4600-4700mls came out). I added just over 4.5L of fresh 5w40. I checked the level and it read just over minimum. After driving a few short km and letting car settle the oil still shows just over minimum and even days later hasn't changed. I made sure there is no oil leaking from sump or filter or any obvious spills on the ground anywhere.
The capacity is 4.5L, but with over 4.5L put in, the level still appears low as it did when I purchased the car. So I wonder is the factory capacity incorrect or is the reading on the dipstick inaccurate? Should I top it up to max or leave it?
Part 2: Oil issue PCV?
In addition, we notice the car seems to idle a little louder/rough for 30 sec to a minute when cold. I though this was maybe the viscous fan engaging and then disengaging, but I'm not sure.
With the low oil issue in mind I observed the car idling and it was smoking a bit. Fairly light, grey smoke, not sweet or blue. But the smoke was in timing with revving the car.
I followed my wife to observe it's behavior and it didn't really smoke much at all during a 5km drive. Almost not at all apart from while stationary a couple times during the start of the drive. With the car parked, I noticed glistening black on the inside of the exhaust. I wiped it with my finger and it was like wet, old black oil (I had just completed a full oil change). I wiped it away and while the car idled it seemed to accumulate a little more.
Weirdly, when we arrived home a few minutes later, the car was still not smoking and the exhaust seemed pretty clean, if not a little moist.
I feel like with only 135k km and a car that looks well cared for and with full service history piston/oil ring damage seems a little unlikely. After a little googling I began to suspect PCV, perhaps stuck open causing excessive exhaust gases to be forced out exhaust and oil consumption?
Any suggestions or advice greatly appreciated as we are panicking a little after spending our savings on this car that appeared to be in good condition.
Cheers.
Bought a 2017 CX5 touring 2.5L Non-Turbo and driven a few thousand kms since. Full service history with Mazda, 135k km OD, appeared to be in great condition and drove well.
After purchasing I noticed the oil read just on minimum which I found odd as it had a recent documented service. So I topped it up to just over full. Over the next couple weeks I notced it seemed to have dropped slightly back to just full.
Recently I did full oil change with filter (around 4600-4700mls came out). I added just over 4.5L of fresh 5w40. I checked the level and it read just over minimum. After driving a few short km and letting car settle the oil still shows just over minimum and even days later hasn't changed. I made sure there is no oil leaking from sump or filter or any obvious spills on the ground anywhere.
The capacity is 4.5L, but with over 4.5L put in, the level still appears low as it did when I purchased the car. So I wonder is the factory capacity incorrect or is the reading on the dipstick inaccurate? Should I top it up to max or leave it?
Part 2: Oil issue PCV?
In addition, we notice the car seems to idle a little louder/rough for 30 sec to a minute when cold. I though this was maybe the viscous fan engaging and then disengaging, but I'm not sure.
With the low oil issue in mind I observed the car idling and it was smoking a bit. Fairly light, grey smoke, not sweet or blue. But the smoke was in timing with revving the car.
I followed my wife to observe it's behavior and it didn't really smoke much at all during a 5km drive. Almost not at all apart from while stationary a couple times during the start of the drive. With the car parked, I noticed glistening black on the inside of the exhaust. I wiped it with my finger and it was like wet, old black oil (I had just completed a full oil change). I wiped it away and while the car idled it seemed to accumulate a little more.
Weirdly, when we arrived home a few minutes later, the car was still not smoking and the exhaust seemed pretty clean, if not a little moist.
I feel like with only 135k km and a car that looks well cared for and with full service history piston/oil ring damage seems a little unlikely. After a little googling I began to suspect PCV, perhaps stuck open causing excessive exhaust gases to be forced out exhaust and oil consumption?
Any suggestions or advice greatly appreciated as we are panicking a little after spending our savings on this car that appeared to be in good condition.
Cheers.
