Mazda 2.3L oil change problem

[Johnnyz2]

I'm trying to change my oil this morning on a 2007 Mazda 3 2.3L engine. Removing the plug from the filter cartride drained just a bit of oil. Then removing the filter drained a bit more. Probably around 1 quart. It was coming out as a drizzle towards the end but still was normal viscosity and a bit warm (I had warmed the engine first).

As I had recently checked the dip stick and saw normal oil levels I didn't think of lost oil. My first though was perhaps the engine is in an odd position and used the sarter motor to turn it over a bit. That did produce a bit more oil on certain turnovers (not all) but not a normal oil flow.

Then I thought, perhaps somehow, the car was very low on oil. So, I added 3/4 Qt to see what happened. If it was low on oil, I expected to see it drain through. That didn't happen. Again, turning the engine produced a bit more draining at points but still not a normal flow and not much oil has come out.

I have no idea what is going on. Internet searches and searches here on BITOG are not turning up the right subject matter with maybe one exception, a clogged drain channel. I'm going to look for that in a moment.

Even if I replaced the filter, added oil, etc. I'm concerned this indicates a more serious problem and wonder if the car is even drivable. As it is on my driveway right now and my wife plans to use it tomorrow, advice is needed urgently! Thanks!

 

[2002 Maxima SE]

Is this only occurring from the filter housing? Do you generally get more from the housing with filter removed?

 

[D60]

Is this just the Ford 2.3, or Mazda specific?

 

[WobblyElvis]

Remove the oil drain plug. Not just the filter drain plug.

 

[Paco Pena]

Oil changes are cheap and easy. Screwing up an oil change is expensive.

Paco

 

[Johnnyz2]

LOL! It has been so long since I did it myself I had remembered the oil draining from the filter plug. Yes, I've found the pan drain now.

This is so embarrassing I want to delete the thread!

At any rate, the discount oil folks must have put the drain bolt back with an impact wrench. I can't get it off! Still, that's something I can fix.

Thanks!

 

[97prizm]

LOL! It has been so long since I did it myself I had remembered the oil draining from the filter plug. Yes, I've found the pan drain now.

This is so embarassing I want to delete the thread!

At any rate, the discount oil folks must have put the drain bolt back with an impact wrench. I can't get it off! At any rate, that's something I can fix.

Thanks!

Don't feel bad. Back many years ago barely out of high school when I helped a local guy work on racecars I and another guy were tasked with changing the gear oil and motor oil on a Formula ford. I pulled the oil pan bolt and then forgot to put it back in. I poured an entire quart of mobil 1 in and out it drained before I realized my mistake.

 

[Kira]

the discount oil folks must have put the drain bolt back with an impact wrench.

Are you turning it in the correct direction?
Being upside-down and working in a less-than-routine manner can lead to understandable mistakes.

FYI: Careless, disengaged and resentful (mix 'n match these attributes) oil monkeys at 'fast lube' joints are proven to overtighten frequently.
Alas, we shade tree mechanics sometimes turn fasteners in the wrong direction.

By the way: What is the little drain plug in the oil filter housing supposed to do?
My car has such an oil filter canister. The filter cartridges come with 2 O-rings.
I tried removing the cartridge drain plug (CDP?) and so little came out, it was funny.
AND removing the housing to get to the filter (obviously) was as messy as usual.
I don't see the benefit.

 

[oldhp]

My first oil change mistake was putting a GM Pontiac oil filter on a Chevy. I had a very good boss. He corrected me. Showed me how to use the VIN to make sure correct oil filter. But I still had to clean up the mess. He didn't make me pay for the oil filter or pumped out oil and I offered to. Learned a lot from him.

 

[mrsilv04]

Don't feel bad. My 1986 Mercury Cougar with the 5.0 has 2 different drain plugs for the oil pan.

 

[jimmyjamesndt]

Don't feel bad. My 1986 Mercury Cougar with the 5.0 has 2 different drain plugs for the oil pan.

I remember working at a Texaco gas station in the early 80's, this sort of weird guy bought gas and then thought he should have his oil changed, brought the car in and put it on the hoist, I was perplexed at the time seeing the double hump oil pan with two drain plugs, ok out comes the two plugs, the car owner is watching and says, "That front plug must let air into the pan and makes the car go faster", LOL.
For 53' Stude, a Motorcraft CFL-1 and 5 quarts of 10w30 Texaco Havoline went back in.

 

[Kira]

double hump oil pan

To allow a tie rod to cross under the engine?

 

[Johnnyz2]

Are you turning it in the correct direction?

Absolutely. It took an 18" wrench and a rubber mallet to get it loose! All done now

 

[Johnnyz2]

By the way: What is the little drain plug in the oil filter housing supposed to do?
My car has such an oil filter canister. The filter cartridges come with 2 O-rings.
I tried removing the cartridge drain plug (CDP?) and so little came out, it was funny.
AND removing the housing to get to the filter (obviously) was as messy as usual.
I don't see the benefit.

Marginal benefit. On our car, the filter holder is mostly like a cap and seems to contain the oil diverter valve. Its only about 1/4 as deep as the filter is tall. So, it is NOT large enough to hold all the oil in the housing (dumb design!). Because of that, if you don't open it first a bunch of oil will tumble out when you take off the plastic cap part.

 

[Johnnyz2]

Thanks everyone, this project is done.

Shortly I'll be doing the transmission fluid and filter. That one I've done many more times; so, hopefully no further goofs!

By the way, the filter came with a reasonably thick rubber gasket. The Mfg. used RTV and that's what I've done in the past. The gasket would be easier to clean next time (if there is a next time). Would anyone use it instead of RTV?

 

[mrsilv04]

To allow a tie rod to cross under the engine?

IIRC, mine is because of the steering rack.

 

[JohnnyG]

This is a guy after my own heart! No gloves, loves the feel of hot oil all over his hands! Anyway, he could have done this in a much "cleaner" manner if he would have used the filter drain plug too.
My only question is, which O ring did he forget to replace?
It was still in the bag when he got the large O ring out that goes on the cap.
My guess would be that there is either another O ring in the filter housing, or it's the one that seals the filter drain plug.
Definitely an amateur at this.

 

[Popsy]

By the way: What is the little drain plug in the oil filter housing supposed to do?
My car has such an oil filter canister. The filter cartridges come with 2 O-rings.
I tried removing the cartridge drain plug (CDP?) and so little came out, it was funny.
AND removing the housing to get to the filter (obviously) was as messy as usual.
I don't see the benefit.

Drain the oil filter housing so you don't make a mess when removing the filter...same never really saw a difference, maybe if you let it drain for a while before removing the filter?