OIL LEAK spotted 08MS3 Do you have one?

[stanley_cup]

Oil leak sptted by oil pan corner facing fire wall. small leak that would form a droplet right under where the tranny and engine come together. Is this common???? the car has 4700 miles I've had it for almost 10 months.

Please let me know if this is common. Is it under a re-call, tsb, etc. thanks

 

[2.0t03speed]

Take it into mazda and get them to fix it. Also are you sure its from the oil pan?

 

[stanley_cup]

Car is in the dlr, they told me it was from the oil pan. they were really cool and let me see it. they had given me oil dye and told me to drive it around for a few months back in feb of 08. i did and brought it back. no charge for the dye.

 

[supper squirrel]

I have an oil leak @ 1K miles.

I discovered that the front cover (on the engine) was leaking when I was doing my first oil change.

I took it to the dealer and they too put dye in it and asked me to drive it around and bring it back. I took it back yesterday and the dealer confirmed that the front cover is leaking. They're repairing it under warranty of course.

I'm a bit disappointed to already be encountering problems on my car (only has 1200 miles on it, 1000 miles when I found the oil leak).

If anyone else has this issue, I'd be very interested in hearing about it.

 

[Jay Shingen]

mine has one too! wtf... I'll take it in soon.

 

[supper squirrel]

Where is your oil leak, Jay?

 

[///M Compact]

Just wait a bit longer and you'll get to replace the turbo...

 

[supper squirrel]

So I bought junk?

 

[///M Compact]

So I bought junk?

Not necessarily. In my case I have been extremely pleased with the level of service I've received from my dealer, but I've been much less impressed with the car. My car is bone stock and has only been taken to one HPDE, yet a front strut and the turbo went south before the car reached 27000 miles. The car is a nice enough drive, but if I had it to do over again I would not buy an MS3; I'm looking to sell mine ASAP. I hope you have better luck.

 

[Speed3Rookie]

So I bought junk?

Uh...yup....me too. lol

 

[15min5k]

Not necessarily. In my case I have been extremely pleased with the level of service I've received from my dealer, but I've been much less impressed with the car. My car is bone stock and has only been taken to one HPDE, yet a front strut and the turbo went south before the car reached 27000 miles. The car is a nice enough drive, but if I had it to do over again I would not buy an MS3; I'm looking to sell mine ASAP. I hope you have better luck.

Wow! Did you buy it without a test drive or something?

 

[SPEED3TYPE2]

45k no leaks

 

[///M Compact]

Wow! Did you buy it without a test drive or something?

I just have this unreasonable expectation that a modern car should be able to make it to 50,000 miles without needing $2500 worth of suspension and engine components replaced- even with Mazda picking up the tab. On top of that, the MS3 has proven to be not all that much fun to drive at HPDEs- and that was the main reason I bought it.

 

[15min5k]

I just have this unreasonable expectation that a modern car should be able to make it to 50,000 miles without needing $2500 worth of suspension and engine components replaced- even with Mazda picking up the tab. On top of that, the MS3 has proven to be not all that much fun to drive at HPDEs- and that was the main reason I bought it.

I hear ya on the realiability aspect. My tranny was rebuilt @21k miles and it's in the shop now as we speak for most likely suspension issues. I haven't noticed any oil leaks though

Sorry for the noob question but what is HPDEs?

P.S. I doubt I keep this car for much longer than 50k.

 

[///M Compact]

Sorry for the noob question but what is HPDEs?

P.S. I doubt I keep this car for much longer than 50k.

HPDE= High Performance Driving Event, AKA Driver Schools, Lapping Days, etc. As for keeping the car past 50K, not a chance. I can just see the turbo seals going south again at @52K miles and Mazda saying, "Gee, that's too bad; give us $2000 and your car will be as good as new."

 

[supper squirrel]

I just have this unreasonable expectation that a modern car should be able to make it to 50,000 miles without needing $2500 worth of suspension and engine components replaced- even with Mazda picking up the tab.

I agree wholeheartedly.

 

[Super Unique]

If your going to post such negative comments regarding the warranty policies, at least check for accurate information.

The turbocharger is clearly covered for the full length of the powertrain warranty as shown below, quoted directly from Mazda's website. If you were an educated consumer you would know the following warranty coverage applies, and discuss this with the service department to be sure that Mazda pays the bill for any required repairs.

Mazda warrants that the Powertrain Components of new 2007 and 2008 Mazda cars and trucks will be free of defects with normal use and prescribed maintenance for 60 months or 60,000 miles, which ever comes first. Ordinary maintenance items or adjustments, parts subject to normal wear and replacement and certain other items are excluded. This “limited warranty” is transferable during the warranty period on all new Mazda vehicles sold and serviced in the United States.



http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=legalTermsPowertrain

Powertrain Warranty Parts List
The listed below are the powertrain components covered under the Powertrain Limited Warranty:
Engine
Cylinder Block, Cylinder Head, and All Internal Lubricated Parts (Piston engines)
Rotor Housing and All Internal Parts (Rotary engines)
Timing gears
Timing chain/belt and tensioner
Timing chain/belt front cover and gaskets
Flywheel
Valve Covers
Oil Pan
Oil Pump
Intake Manifold
Exhaust Manifold
Engine Mounts
Turbocharger Housing and All Internal Lubricated Parts
Supercharger Housing and All Internal Lubricated Parts
Powertrain Control Module
Water Pump and Gasket
Thermostat
Fuel Pump
Seals and Gaskets
Freeze Plugs were not added
Transmission and Transaxle
Transmission Case and All Internal Parts
Torque converter
Clutch Pressure Plate
Transmission Mounts
Transfer Case and All Internal Parts
Transmission/Transaxle Control Module
Front/Rear Drive System
Final Drive Housing & all Internally Lubricated Parts
Manual and Automatic Hub (4X4)
Front Wheel Hubs and Bearings (FWD Transaxles)
Rear Axle Housing & all Internally Lubricated Parts
Axle/Drive Shafts
Propeller shaft (RWD and AWD only)
Universal Joints
Constant Velocity Joints
Rear Axle/Hub Bearings (RWD and AWD only)
Seals and Gaskets

 

[Super Unique]

In case there is any doubt from the above reply, I do NOT work for Mazda or any business associated with mazda.

That being said, any warranty repairs and services performed on your car is largely a reflection of the dealership where it is purchased/repaired. This entire process depends on your management of the situation. If you go into a dealership where you are a known customer and have done business with them in the past things will likely go better than if not. Now I am not implying that you have your dealership service department do every single thing on your car, but some visits at regular intervals will build a business relationship with them and they are far more likely to help you out when you need it most. In an ideal world every problem would be covered fully under warranty and never questioned, however there are always those who will try to take advantage of the situation, be it a shady service dept or a customer who constantly abuses their car. I have personally been affected by attempts to deny warranty coverage of a failed engine in a Toyota product, which fortunately worked in my favor due to the service history at the dealership where it was purchased and repaired.

I know, you shouldn't have to do maintenance with the new car dealership, but a quick service place charges around $36.00 for a full service oil change where I live, and the Mazda dealer charges $41.00 tax included. Thats a difference of $5.00 for the piece of mind knowing they can NEVER deny the powertrain warranty with the usual excuses of owner neglect/faulty oil changes/maintenance. Damn cheap insurance in my book. Some dealers, like mine will even use any oil that meets the Mazda specs that you supply, and reduce the charge since you brought the oil. This lets you use the oil of your choice and still be covered should any questions arise about the service history of your vehicle.


Note: If you have an independent shop who you would rather do business with, ask them about their vehicle history records, or if you need to keep all receipts. A full maintenance record is always very helpful in defending yourself against warranty deflection by a manufacturer.

Even though I have a mazda dealer do all my oil changes, I still keep all the receipts/invoices together in the glove box for safekeeping.

 

[supper squirrel]

Hmm...I'm trying to find somewhere in my posts where I said something negative about the warranty policy....

Nope, Nothin.'

 

[Super Unique]

It was in response to ///M compact's comment about a $2k repair of the turbo @ 52k....

Speaking of which, switching from Mazda to BMW, while complaining of the costs to maintain the Mazda seems a little premature. Wait until you encounter the true costs of owning premium german engineering. Not to say BMW doesn't make a fantastic car which they usually do, but the cost of ownership is clearly much higher.