My apologies, I tried updating my original thread but it wouldn't allow me to do so....

Been trying to track down this oil leak...originally thought it was a loose drain plug but that wasn't it....was about to bring it to the dealership and wanted to go in with some insight...

I put the car back up in the air, started her up and I found the source of the leak...sort of...I posted a photo and circled (it's faint) where the oil is originating from, but I need some other info.

I think it's the oil pan seal, but I need to know if there are any other seals behind what looks to be an aluminum Y-shaped engine mount attached at 2 points to the lower block at the oil pan. Am I correct in thinking it's the pan seal or is there another seal behind this area that it could be coming from?

Any insight is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

-Mark
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Looks like the oil pan RTV seal...was the pan removed before? It looks a bit bent up by the leak??


It's not a bad job to remove and re-seal the pan.

Just make sure you are prying with a scraper on the irons..and not the alum rotor housings when you try and take it off

 

Hey D,

Thanks for your help again...the pan edge/flange looks straight to me...I think the angle of the photo makes the flange appear bent...I called the previous owner and he said he's not sure if the pan itself has ever been removed. The car was always serviced at a Mazda dealer so it's hard to say...

Now when you say the irons, do you mean the oil pan lip? Also any recommended sealant? Permatex Grey/black? Pardon my ignorance but I'm new to the Renesis.

Thanks again.

-Mark

 

The "keg" or engine block is a sandwich of three irons...and 2 rotor housings...you will see the stripes on the bottom when you remove the pan

Just don't pry on the rotor housings...they are soft and will mark..the cast iron bits are much more resistant to scoring and marks from the scraper.