QuestionHi, I have a 2005 mazda 3 hatchback, recently i have noticed oil over the gearbox, it doesnt seem like motor oil because its not that thick(but im not sure). I took the car to the dealer last week. they checked it for 30 min and couldnt find the leak, so they told me to wash the engine and come back ..after that they kept the car running for 1 hour then took it for a drive for 30 min then checked the engine and the car's under again and there was no oil ..so they told me that there is no leak and that oil must have been spelled during an oil change. Now, the problem has came back today after going for a trip of about 100 miles.
Do you have any idea what could be the cause !?
thank you in advance
AnswerHow many mile do you have?
I would check the tightness of the oil filter and the drain plug as the simplest approach to the problem.
Next, I would use a spray cleaner (brake cleaner works well) to clean the affected area. It will degrease and remove all oil residue. Run it, drive it then recheck the area in an attempt to locate the exact location the leak is appearing. Depending on where it is it could be one of three engine seals or a gasket, or not even the engine.
A very common thing done by oil change places, they remove the old oil filter with the filter o-ring stuck to the motor, if this happens and they install a new oil filter which already has an o-ring on it you'll have two and that won't make a proper seal. A very simple source of a leak. Spilled oil during a fill is also a common. If your loosing oil it will show on the dipstick, if your leaving large puddles of oil then it needs immediate attention, avoid running low or out of oil as major engine damage will result.
