Aphila

Haven't seen any oil drip but I can smell it and have seen drops on garage floor in morning. Before I get it checked out any suggestions? I know it's not the plug in pan bottom. Maybe oil pan gasket. I'm going to get it on a lift tomorrow which should clear things up just wondering if any common things I may not have thought about.
-Alex

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Oil pan has RTV seal...no gasket. It does tend to leak after a while

Front Seal can leak...repairing that takes a certain technique..don't do it until you understand what has to be done...or you can royally screw things up

Often the oil cooler lines leak...check them out..especially if you live in a salty road area like the east coast

Check the OMP gasket...it is an o-ring and often will leak

Sometimes oil will leak out of the intake if it has blown back near the filter..check that

Clean things up...and look for leaks in a day or so...will make it easier

Aphila

so I got it on a lift and the oil is clean. appears to be coming from the top of the gearbox. maybe a boot gasket/seal? Has anyone encountered this before? I will probably have to take it to mazda.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Is it engine oil or gear oil?

( Gear oil will smell funny )

Aphila

It's definitely gear oil haha I didn't smell it but based on the thickness and how clean it is I can tell it's not my engine oil. I'm thinking reverse/neutral switch? It's a 2004 6spd manual with 66k on it. If that helps any!

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Did it have the oil chang we d lately..could be overfull. If not could br leaking out of one of the switches like you said

Aphila

I may have posted this twice so my bad.
It's definitely gear oil based on the thickness an cleanliness, maybe a reverse/neutral switch? At least that's what I'm hoping, as far as costs. That's the only feasible thing I can think of for oil being all the way up by where the boot comes down and seals into it. It's a 04 6 spd manual with 66k on it if that helps any! Thanks!

Aphila

Nah it's due for an oil change in about another 1000 so possibly but I think it'd look a little dirtier. I'm takin her in Monday so hopefully one of the switches 🙏! I'll be sure to post my findings thanks for the insight.

TRexRampage

Had a similar problem.... oil was leaking badly! I took it to the dealer about a week ago because my oil pressure was low. They removed and reinstalled my oil pan, guess they were investigating ect...
Last night my light came on and I had to put oil in... 8 miles down the road it comes on again... doooooh! I get home check the pan and oil is coating my underside. I run the car and notice it is leaking through the "New Gasket Sealant" done by a "Certified Tech"
I remove the pan, clean it up, and when I go to reinstall realize that the "Certified Tech" stripped the 3 oil pan bolts on the front side! I had to tap and use 3 larger bolts. WOW! Problem fixed, however, when I take my car to the dealer I expect them to fix problems not make them! Now I normally do it myself, but was short on time which is why I took it to the dealer. New member here.... word to the wise. "Beware of anyone except yourself when it comes to your pride and joy!" Rx8

TRexRampage

BTW: because the bolts were stripped when I gave the car gas (gitty up and go) the pressure raised forcing the oil through the gasket sealant faster. In other words "the faster I went the faster it leaked!" I'm sure this isn't a common problem, but I'm agitated and thought I'd post just incase... check, you never know..

Aphila

Well I was right! It was the seal from the gearbox to the transmission, 50 bucks at Mazda to fix and two days of not driving it....priceless. Thanks for the help tho guys!