Need help, metal flakes in oil and oil burning

[Dotiri]

Hi I have a 2016 Mazda cx5. Started doing my own oil changes an about 20k miles ago. Right now it’s at 100k. I’ve been doing oil changes every 7kish

The last two oil changes I’ve been finding small flakes like this at the bottom of my oil drip pan. It’s also burning about 1.25 quarts of oil every oil change. This was a brand new bucket I got for oil changes, so its not from another car. Is this something I should be worried about?

For my current oil change, I’ve switched to valvoline restore and protect (was using Mobil 1 extended performance in the past). Will be doing the next oil change at 1k miles. And would a magnetic oil drain plug be useful? Currently it’s just a regular oil drain plug with no magnetic end.

 

[cz5gt]

May be send your next oil for used oil analysis. It should show if extra metals and what type. Not normal unless something was added to the oil.


Hard to see from the picture but it looks large chunks.Like small balls?

 

[Lazy2.5]

The metal flakes are concerning, but I can't comment on that.

As for 7k miles, this is too long for an OCI, and 1k regardless of why is too short. you should let the high mileage additives work for the full OCI interval.

change at around 4-5k miles no later. assuming you are using 0w20, 1 quart in 7k miles is nothing to be concerned about. switch to 5w30 to help reduce consumption enough not to need to add oil in between oci.

 

[SparkYellow]

What oil filter are you using? It might be worthwhile to cut open the filter to see if there are similar chunks in there. I thought particles of this size would have been caught by the filter. Can you to see if a standard magnet would pick up those chunks? If so, definitely use a magnetic drain plug to keep these bits out of circulation, until you figure out what is happening.

 

[cz5gt]

good catch. The oil filter should capture those at that size. The only thing that comes to mind is they are at the bottom and too heavy to be sucked by the pump or cannot go past the oil pump strainer filter in order to reach the oil filter.

 

[N7turbo]

Those pieces are huge and I cannot imagine this engine lasting much longer.

 

[sm1ke]

I would get a magnetic drain plug and install it ASAP. Then ride out this current oil to maybe 4k miles as @Lazy2.5 suggested. Re-evaluate on your next oil change.

 

[Lazy2.5]

What oil filter are you using? It might be worthwhile to cut open the filter to see if there are similar chunks in there.

I thought particles of this size would have been caught by the filter.

I suspect the 7k mile intervals may be too much for the filter, just allowing the metal flakes to circulate. But why they are circulating in the engine - that's the important question here.

Can you to see if a standard magnet would pick up those chunks? If so, definitely use a magnetic drain plug to keep these bits out of circulation, until you figure out what is happening.

 

[Lazy2.5]

So, 7k mile intervals, while hard on the engine, likely aren't the cause for those flakes.

Then again, 1qt in 7k of 0w20 really isn't that bad, so with a magnetic drain plug, maybe this engine has a chance? What do you guys think?

 

[stickerbush]

Hard to see from the picture but it looks large chunks.Like small balls?

Agree, I've never seen anything like these small balls in oil before. I can't imagine where they could have originated. @Dotiri are they magnetic? If you still have the oil filter you should cut it open and inspect it.

 

[dunhillmc]

So, 7k mile intervals, while hard on the engine, likely aren't the cause for those flakes.

Then again, 1qt in 7k of 0w20 really isn't that bad, so with a magnetic drain plug, maybe this engine has a chance? What do you guys think?

7k intervals aren't "hard" on the engine. The normal interval per the manual is 7500 mi or 5k for the the severe driving schedule. For the 2026 CX5, normal is 10k mi now. In Europe the interval is 12,400 mi (20k km)

 

[Lazy2.5]

7k intervals aren't "hard" on the engine. The normal interval per the manual is 7500 mi or 5k for the the severe driving schedule. For the 2026 CX5, normal is 10k mi now. In Europe the interval is 12,400 mi (20k km)

I whole-heartedly and respectfully disagree outright, unless someone can show that fuel dilution and contaminant levels beyond 5k miles are still reasonable.

 

[jadmt]

definitely not normal..I have been changing my own oil since the 70's in more vehicles than you can count and never once have I seen anything like that in my oil. I would be concerned if I were certain it was from the oil change. definitely cut your filter open to check the media out.

 

[dunhillmc]

I whole-heartedly and respectfully disagree outright, unless someone can show that fuel dilution and contaminant levels beyond 5k miles are still reasonable.

D

Post in thread 'SkyActiv Oil Analysis Thread'

Feb 27, 2022

New report for my 2017 Mazda6. I was worried because I thought the oil smelled like gas, but turned out to not be an issue. Before this fill all I had ever used was the Mazda Moly 0W-20 GF5. I went to the Idemitsu when they didn't come out with a GF6 version of the Mazda branded oil. The current fill is with Idemitsu Ext Mileage GF6, which is supposed to have a higher moly content. I'll get it tested too

• dunhillmc

• 

 

[SparkYellow]

My drain pans are all black. I don't recall seeing residual bits while pouring the dirty oil into jugs, but there could have been. Cutting open one filter after 5K miles of VRP, I found a few tiny bits of what seemed to be carbon deposits. I wonder if the OP can dry the bits on a piece of paper towel and see what they really are. It is gut wrenching to find or learn about prohibited elements in the oil.

 

[Lazy2.5]

D

Post in thread 'SkyActiv Oil Analysis Thread'

Feb 27, 2022

New report for my 2017 Mazda6. I was worried because I thought the oil smelled like gas, but turned out to not be an issue. Before this fill all I had ever used was the Mazda Moly 0W-20 GF5. I went to the Idemitsu when they didn't come out with a GF6 version of the Mazda branded oil. The current fill is with Idemitsu Ext Mileage GF6, which is supposed to have a higher moly content. I'll get it tested too

• dunhillmc

• 

So apparently you can.. is it worth it?

Debatable.

Id rather change sooner, don't see how it's worth pushing your oci.

 

[Snake]

The metal sliver is likely a from main bearing or rod bearing.

Is there any knocking sound when the motor is running?

Is there any blue smoke coming from the exhaust while the engine is running?

And I agree, while a losing a little over one quart isn't good, it's not terrible either. We used to have a trasher road trip car that was burning a quart ever 100 miles and it still ran well, lol.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

+1 @Snake

I do extended changes as well that are often in the 6-7k range.... 80% freeway.. no noticeable oil consumption.

Low oil level / pressure events, Contamination, Overheating or coolant mixing?

A rod bearing failure thread

H

Thread '2016 CX-5 Touring AWD Engine Failure (locked up / seized)'

Dec 31, 2023

Has anyone experienced complete engine failure w/ the 2.5L (aside from the cracked head issues)?

After years of happiness with my 2016 GT, I picked up a 2016 Touring for my daughter w/ 105k miles on it. Unfortunately about 6k miles later, the engine seized. It is currently at the dealership receiving a new engine. As of right now, they don't really know why it seized. Oil level and condition is good (it was changed about 600 miles ago, no signs of coolant), coolant level is good, no codes stored or pending, no noises or any other symptoms leading up to the issue. My daughter was...

• heywire
• Replies: 5
• Forum: CX-5 Powertrain & SkyActiv

Low oil level / pressure events, Contamination, Overheating or coolant mixing?

 

[Jmaz]

Some of those look like little balls which remind me of little pieces that have been bounced around for a long time to assume that shape. I wonder if some metal ,from somewhere obviously which would be concerning, has been bounced around inside the balance shaft assembly in the oil pan. At first glance it reminds me of weld splatter, then thought that if it's aluminum maybe piston damage but to end up in the pan I'd expect ring damage, oil consumption beyond that amount mentioned and low compression. But it's running good, no major oil consumption or funny noises (I guess) ? The mystery deepens.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

@Jmaz OP says burning 1.25 quart of oil between changes too