Can you guess if I have an oil leak?
#1
Registered
Thread Starter
Can you guess if I have an oil leak?
I was driving one day and a dog ran out in front of me and i ended going into alittle ditch. The crash was nothing bad, but it took a tire of the rim. i had to let the my 8 sit for about 2 weeks till i could get a new tire. it started up just fine, but it made a weird smell. it wasn't like a coolant smell but never the less the was a smell there. its been 3 days and upon me starting it still made that smell. it smells like oil alittle.
Anyone know what this might be or should i take it to mazda and let them check?
Anyone know what this might be or should i take it to mazda and let them check?
#6
Registered
Thread Starter
I think ill take it to mazda cause i cant find a oil leak from what i can see
#10
Un-Registered User
#13
Registered
Thread Starter
Ummm.... I'm asking about the smell, if it's normal or not. Why the hell would I put a picture up if I'm asking about a smell. And since I can't see an oil that might have leaked, why would I take a picture. If your wonder about a picture because of the crash, it's pointless. The car looks fin and is fine, except for the smell.
#14
Got Ink?
If you are not knowledgable enough to determine if your car has an oil leak or not, it would be safe to assume that you do not have the skill set required to determine whether or not your car is indeed "fine". Providing photographs of the engine from several different angles, including close-up details and from below, will provide those of us whom you have queried with something substantive from which to diagnose your issue.
#15
Rockie Mountain Newbie
You pretty much just said that your post was pointless.
So, lets see if I can help you any.
First, which tire was it that blew out?
Front or rear? Left or right?
Logically, if we know which one dies, we can tell you what type of fluids are near that tire.
Every single one will have brake lines near it, so the very first thing you should probably look at is your brake fluid level. Last thing we want is for you to start up your car, and immediately crash into your neighbor's living room.
Pop off your brake fluid line, and take a whiff. Is that what it smells like?
Next, the front wheels may or may not have an oil cooler, depending on if you have an automatic transmission or a manual transmission in your car. Pop off the oil filler cap, and take a whiff. Is that what it smells like? If yes, you should figure out which oil cooler took the damage. Hint, it will be the one where the tire was damaged at.
Next up, maybe it was coolant. Pop off the radiator cap, and take a whiff. Is it that?
Finally, the last fluid in the car that is near a wheel is the fuel.
Pop off the gas cap, and take a good strong whiff of that, because its so far down there.
Okay, after you regain consciousness, if you can even remember anything about what you're doing, was that the smell? You might want to have your computer near you when you do that part, just to help have a reminder of what you're doing, nearby.
BC.
#17
Registered
Thread Starter
And how are we going to be able to tell you if you're right that what you are smelling is in fact oil if we aren't there in order to smell it with you?
You pretty much just said that your post was pointless.
So, lets see if I can help you any.
First, which tire was it that blew out?
Front or rear? Left or right?
Logically, if we know which one dies, we can tell you what type of fluids are near that tire.
Every single one will have brake lines near it, so the very first thing you should probably look at is your brake fluid level. Last thing we want is for you to start up your car, and immediately crash into your neighbor's living room.
Pop off your brake fluid line, and take a whiff. Is that what it smells like?
Next, the front wheels may or may not have an oil cooler, depending on if you have an automatic transmission or a manual transmission in your car. Pop off the oil filler cap, and take a whiff. Is that what it smells like? If yes, you should figure out which oil cooler took the damage. Hint, it will be the one where the tire was damaged at.
Next up, maybe it was coolant. Pop off the radiator cap, and take a whiff. Is it that?
Finally, the last fluid in the car that is near a wheel is the fuel.
Pop off the gas cap, and take a good strong whiff of that, because its so far down there.
Okay, after you regain consciousness, if you can even remember anything about what you're doing, was that the smell? You might want to have your computer near you when you do that part, just to help have a reminder of what you're doing, nearby.
BC.
You pretty much just said that your post was pointless.
So, lets see if I can help you any.
First, which tire was it that blew out?
Front or rear? Left or right?
Logically, if we know which one dies, we can tell you what type of fluids are near that tire.
Every single one will have brake lines near it, so the very first thing you should probably look at is your brake fluid level. Last thing we want is for you to start up your car, and immediately crash into your neighbor's living room.
Pop off your brake fluid line, and take a whiff. Is that what it smells like?
Next, the front wheels may or may not have an oil cooler, depending on if you have an automatic transmission or a manual transmission in your car. Pop off the oil filler cap, and take a whiff. Is that what it smells like? If yes, you should figure out which oil cooler took the damage. Hint, it will be the one where the tire was damaged at.
Next up, maybe it was coolant. Pop off the radiator cap, and take a whiff. Is it that?
Finally, the last fluid in the car that is near a wheel is the fuel.
Pop off the gas cap, and take a good strong whiff of that, because its so far down there.
Okay, after you regain consciousness, if you can even remember anything about what you're doing, was that the smell? You might want to have your computer near you when you do that part, just to help have a reminder of what you're doing, nearby.
BC.
#18
Registered
Thread Starter
#19
Registered
Thread Starter
If you are not knowledgable enough to determine if your car has an oil leak or not, it would be safe to assume that you do not have the skill set required to determine whether or not your car is indeed "fine". Providing photographs of the engine from several different angles, including close-up details and from below, will provide those of us whom you have queried with something substantive from which to diagnose your issue.
#21
Rockie Mountain Newbie
Not really that hard.
Regardless, you can't provide pictures of a leak that doesn't exist.
How old are the ignition coils, plugs, and wires on your car?
Maybe they are old, getting weak, and have reduced the convertor's lifespan, which is now giving you a smell of oil and gas mixture. You did say that the smell only comes while the engine is idling, correct?
BC.
#23
SARX
iTrader: (2)
OMG who in their right mind would ever let a 16 year old have a sports car? and your story of "a dog ran out in front of me" may have been believed by your parents but not by me... yes take it to the dealer and let them fix it then ask them to put you in a mazda3 till you are out of High School...the end...
#25
Registered
Thread Starter
OMG who in their right mind would ever let a 16 year old have a sports car? and your story of "a dog ran out in front of me" may have been believed by your parents but not by me... yes take it to the dealer and let them fix it then ask them to put you in a mazda3 till you are out of High School...the end...
Last edited by CampbellPictures; 11-27-2012 at 03:07 PM.