Def not a valve cover leak as stated my cx9 was fully inspected and all was good. It’s still new virtually at no even reaching 38k miles yet. Your is based more than likely on the time previously mentioned when the tech didn’t put the washer which caused a drip by the filter. I overflowed it until I took it back for service that year.
What have you done to your CX-9 today?
- Thread starter sm1ke
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How much did you overfill by?
For reference, here are my plugs, changed early on my NA Skyactiv 2.5L at around 65,000miles. The car has been tuned for premium for approx half that mileage. Most that mileage has been light load, and a relatively light foot. Nonetheless, you can see the difference in cleanliness of combustion chamber conditions between NA vs. Turbo Skyactiv.
Thanks for your pic and explanation. Idk to be honest but prob above the overfill indicator on the dip stick. But again it was around are again and can’t remember approximately. But I’ve been having the dealer do it since that way they do the scheduled maintenance. I’ve read about the turbos vs na vehicles and this matter. Just best to keep up on maintenance schedule. Also do you change your oil at 5-6k? I have been changing it every 5k.
I'm in Canada, I use miles and mpg as many American folk on here. I find that my dad's new Camry (also 2.5L) can go 8000km (5000miles) in between oil changes. I don't feel comfortable stretching that far on my 300,000km Mazda. Could need a crankcase clean. I usually change after 3000miles, but monitoring the current oil, I feel comfortable pushing it closer to 4000.
The main things your spark plugs tell me, is likely hard use. I would have suspected a hard pedal, but you said that it's a family workhorse, so that explains it.
Turbo Skyactiv's run richer than the NA, and it shows, looking at the thread on your spark plugs. They're dark. The turbo requires more frequent spark plug changes.
The light golden coloured on my spark plugs thread potentially point towards lean AFR's, which the NA is known for.
Other than being more gentle on the throttle (seems you are at half throttle alot, based on your pic) I would suggest to change oil sooner.
Thanks for your experienced insight. Yes as initially mentioned it’s a family car but I am the the sole driver and have the heavy foot.The main things your spark plugs tell me, is likely hard use. I would have suspected a hard pedal, but you said that it's a family workhorse, so that explains it.
Turbo Skyactiv's run richer than the NA, and it shows, looking at the thread on your spark plugs. They're dark. The turbo requires more frequent spark plug changes.
The light golden coloured on my spark plugs thread potentially point towards lean AFR's, which the NA is known for.
Other than being more gentle on the throttle (seems you are at half throttle alot, based on your pic) I would suggest to change oil sooner.
I tend to drive quick as my other little daily (which has been parked due to gas tank replacement) is a little work horse and flies w a bit of gas.
I definitely will follow your advice and change it sooner as my father and tech recently suggested it yesterday to help preserve the longevity of the cx9 because I want to keep this as long as possible. I wanted to purchase a cx-90 but I’ve heard they are having transmission issues and so I’ll wait for that to be rectified.
I will tell most other member have the same issue when posting their spark plugs w the residue on the ceramic area. Therefore it must be a common issue w the cx9.
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- Mazda CX-9 Signature
The stain is called Corona stain and it has nothing to do with oil overfill. My old plugs got more stain than that and I've never ever overfilled my oil.
Then what is it? Because I had a valve cover leak, and I noticed oil built up on that section of the spark plug.
Thank you Silly Wabbit for clarifying this.
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Your plugs look completely normal. I'm at 120k kms now and I've done two plug changes, and each time the plugs looked the same. Same corona stain, same "darkness" at the electrode. Perfectly normal for this engine. No need to worry about changing what you're doing - as the dealer said, you car is in great condition and they gave it a clean bill of health. As another 2.5T data point, I change my oil every 7-7.5k kms.
Thanks! I presumed, (and still presume that it can be) due to oil. I saw some wet oil deposits in that same area due to either overfilling or a valve cover gasket leak (the outside has long since resealed and dried, maybe not on the inside...) the staining on his plugs looked significant, so that's what I thought it was.
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The link describes corona stain as an oil build up, so you're half right. It's just not due to a leak, or overfilling. Wet oil on the threads, on the other hand, would point to a potential valve cover gasket leak.
I understand. My threads were dry. However, I did notice some wet oil on the ceramic insulator portion. You're saying its a leak/overfill only if on the threads themselves?
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No, I'm just saying that if there is wet oil on the threads, that is most likely due to a valve cover gasket leak.
Google says that wet oil on the ceramic insulator may be due to worn piston rings or damaged valve seals, or it could be from excessive crankcase pressure or a failing PCV valve.
Thanks very much. I appreciate it. Your advice is identical to what the techs told me at Mazda on Saturday. Because I know they remain very eager to buy it from me. I don’t wish to buy a cx90 due to the tranny issues and maybe something to look forward to in the future. I will continue to take care of her. I changed the spark plugs early as I’m just at 38k miles now because I felt her running sluggish. The only thing I need to do is change my cabin air filter because they were going to charge me 84 for the part/ install and I said bye.
I started changing my oil at 6-7 k when I first purchased her but now I change it at around 5-6.
May I ask have you or anyone changed any other fluids at this mileage?
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I would consider 2x ATF drain and fill, one at 80k kms, and another at 85k or 90k kms.
I would also consider doing a drain and fill of your front transfer case and rear differential fluid at 80k kms.
I think aside from those, you should be good to go.
I would also consider doing a drain and fill of your front transfer case and rear differential fluid at 80k kms.
I think aside from those, you should be good to go.
Thank you. Mazda mentioned the transfer case fluid and rear did fluid at 55k miles and said I should do the tranny fluid drain at the same time. I figure I’m a long way from reaching that mileage considering I hardly drive the car, but I’ll prob start purchasing the fluids for the changes next year sometime.
Thanks again. Hope all our Mazdas last well over 250k miles
Thanks again. Hope all our Mazdas last well over 250k miles
