Just moved wifes car about 30 feet to clear other half of drive, and have noticed it is leaking droplets of oil.

Upon investigation the following where note

(1) Oil pressure light goes out straight away]

(2) Engine sounds bit tapperty but engine was still cold

(3) Coolant level in bottle has dropped slightly

(4) Checked oil level which is slightly over the full mark but will check again when engine is cold

(5) Oil seems to be leaking around filter then running down onto the ground pass what I presume is the sump

(6) Oil drips are quite fast.

I think it could be the following

(a) Oil filter is leaking

(b) Head gasket is going

(c) Sump is leaking

(d) Oil pressure switch

(e) Crack in engine block

Any other ideas, will arrange for someone to come out and look at car once the snow has gone.

Thanks.

I had this a while ago, and found that my sump had a rather large crack in it. Even though it looks to be leaking from the top end I'd still check!

If you jack the car up (use some stands, not just the sissor jack!), you should be able to see where its coming from. Check things like the sump plug, and see if there are any dimples in the sump (use an old rag to wipe away the crap - if it is leaking, oil will flow quite quickly).

I'd also chuck an oil catch pan underneith to a) stop the road / your driveway getting covered and b) to see how much is leaking out over a period of say 12 hours.

Thanks, have put cardboad underneath but will put drip pan underneath to see how much drips out, how much did it cost to fix yours and what caused the sum to fail?

Ice was the main cause. The sump is quite low, and I must have hit it.

I bought one in from the states for around £65 inc tax & shipping.
Clicky

If you have the tools, I'd suggest doing this yourself. You will need to have the car jacked up a wee bit, as you need to take the front section of the exhaust off.

Just be weary of the bolts that connect the exhaust to the first cat. When mine went, I got a garrage to do it for me, and I nearly had to get a new cat, as the muppet sheared the bold head off! (I kindly suggested that he drill it out!)

Can't think it was ice as car was left on drive in the snow and can;t think its been driven anywhere it could of hit something



How long did it take to carry out the repairs.

Thanks

If you take your time, it shouldn't be much more than an hour.

if it just started all of the sudden, then it could be the sump
otherwise, it is pretty common for older mazdas to have a failed oil cooler gasket (no oil cooler if you don't have the diesel or sport) which is sandwiched by the oil filter

failed head gasket is unlikely... the coolant will be even lower and you may get bubbling in the reservoir, plus the engine may run like rubbish... coolant levels in the reservoir go low after some time due to temperature changes and evaporation


at this point all anyone can do is guess what is wrong... it is best to actually look for the leak

Thanks for the info.

if you think that is where the oil is coming from, get a spray can of brake cleaner and rinse the engine block off around where the oil filter is.... that way any residual oil will be gone and you can know for certain whether it's the oil filter that's leaking or just whatever was there from an oil change

if it's the filter leaking for sure, replace it if it's already tight... don't even chance using it by tightening it more!


the sump on the 1.5 is aluminium I think, so you might also want to check for cracks/damage

Thanks for tip re brake cleaner, would be replacing and not tightening up as cost of filter is not too much, other thought is the oil sump plug or washer has gone.

Car is off road for time being and may have a better look at weekend, by the way where are the jacking points and axle stand points on a 323

thanks.

Anywhere there isn't rust!

My God man, are you suggesting he uses the windows as a jacking point?!

Its a Mazda, they may be rusty too!

I usually put axle stands under the bolts for the rear inside lower arm bushing.

Decided due to lack of time, cold weather etc to book car in, turns out the filter had rusted and was weeping oil, so having filter and service carried out.

Glad it was nothing serious and will tell wife to get car serviced more regularly.

Thanks.

I've heard everything now!!!
A bloody oil filter rusting??? Jeez, these babies really do enjoy a good rusting!!!

Glad you got it fixed buddy!

How long has that filter been on there? I think it has to be on there for a while for it to rust!

Yep, A friend of mine had his filter on his car for 3ish years and it rusted

Shamed to say it had been on for 2.5 years all now fixed and car serviced

I think you're supposed to change the oil every 6 months regardless of mileage...

Oil and filter every 9000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first.

Close enough!