Oil leak...

[corganracing]

So i just bought my 2005 3s and i needed to change my oil but i had to means to do so. I took my car to a valvoline oil change and had them put in full synthetic 5w 20. Everything was ok until about 2000 miles later i noticed my oil level went down and i saw oil on the plastic engine undercover. I took my car back to valvoline and they tried telling me it was from the previous oil change. I took off the undercover and cleaned the oil from the underside of the engine and filter cap/whatever you want to call it. I drove for about ten min looked under the car and oil was on the filter cap again. I took the car back to valvoline and they said it was the oil filter seal ( that they most likely did'nt replace ) they put a new one in and i was on my way. Well since then i have noticed a little bit of oil again in the same place. I have checked around the engine and can see no leaks in seals or anything. COULD IT BE TOO MUCH OIL PRESSURE WHEN I SHIFT HIGH??? OR AM I MISSING SOMETHING.... IF ANYONE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM PLEAS LET ME KNOW HOW TO REMEDY IT.. THANK YOU..

 

[sunrun176]

First, welcome to the forums!

Second.. Wow. That sucks, man.

Assuming it wasn't leaking before you went to Valvoline...
Worst case scenario: they cracked the oil filter cap. We had a silver 2004 M3H before this one and I made the mistake of taking it to a Saturn dealer with which I had a good working relationship (the '04 3 replaced a Saturn SL2). Yeah, they stripped out the center of the filter cap and then claimed that it was like that before they got to it, but they'd started in right away and it took them nearly 30 mins. to get to the point of telling me that and they hadn't rotated the tires yet. Honestly, I have no way of proving they stripped it, but on the same visit they also managed to shear off a lug stud by trying to torque it to 100-120 ft.lbs. after rotating the tires mad, so their track record isn't good.

Best case scenario: they wrecked yet another filter seal.

Anyway.. Offhand, I wouldn't take it to Valvoline or any other "instant/rapid" oil change place again. (Honestly, I don't know how they stay in business, screwing up as much as they do.) But that's only preventative advice..

Seriously, you've given the (poorly) trained monkeys at Valvoline two chances to do the job correctly and they've failed both times. It's time to take it to a professional who does more than just oil changes, preferably someone who knows Mazdas or even specializes in them. AAA.com has a "AAA Approved Auto Repair finder" and you don't have to be a member to use it. Also there's CarTalk.com and their Mechanic's Files.

Either that, or it's time to take the old adage to heart: "If you want something done right, you've got to do it yourself."

But know that if you decide to start changing your own oil, you'll need to acquire the proper equipment (a Mazda filter cap wrench, etc.) and if you're not already familiar with the procedure or materials, it can be found in this sticky thread in the How-To section:
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123667276

I don't change my own oil because Lil' Red's still under warranty -- no way am I gonna set myself up to get hung out to dry if something goes wrong. Also, I'm pretty lazy and can't stand tight places, especially when they're under 3,500 lbs. of steel, glass and plastic. Rotating my own tires and swapping out the summer/winter set is about all that requires jacking up the car that I'm comfortable with at the moment.

Yeesh.. Sorry 'bout the long post.. (ughdance)

 

[corganracing]

thanks

Thank you for the info i will definitely look at those links. I have always done my own oil changes with my previous car but since i bought this one i havent had the means of doing it myself until recently. I will be changing my oil soon and hopefully be able to tell if they stripped anything. thanks again....(dance)

 

[joshritger]

It may be a good idea for you to pick up a new filter cap and plug, they are about 30 bucks from the dealer. I change all my own oil on my 07 3 hatchback. I made the mistake of over tightening the filter cover plug on my first oil change and stripped the threads off the filter cover plug. I have also heard of quick lube places using basically giant pliers to remove the filter cover which can crush or crack it. To safely take off the filter cover you will need a 76mm cap type oil filter wrench (14 flute). Good luck with changing it yourself, also you will need a torque wrench to properly torque the filter cover plug and filter cover down. I found the torque specs for each online.

 

[lucaspl88]

i bought the filter tool off mazda, and i didnt really use torque specs, just by hand till i knew it was tight !.
i dont trust any lube place, i used to go to jiffy lube cause of lack of time to do it myself... they charged me an arm and leg for oil, and after a test that i did, they put a regular oil in instead of the synthetic that i paid for.. so i got a refund for 2 oil changes, and additional 2 free of charge. i told the manager of the place to kiss my a** and take his free oil changes, since i wont be using their service again...
long story short.. the cartridge filters are safer then spin ons... but easier to crack..