Hi im new to this forum but hope someone can help!!

I have a 2004 rx8 and have had a problem, i had a filter and oil change done and also had the plugs replaced at a local garage. after having this done i took the car to the town about 20 miles into the journey the car started to smoke from under the bonet and through the gearbox which filled the car and i got a realy hot smell. i stopped the car, The car started again no bother but i didnt want to drive it any further, since this happened i have not moved nor started the car. Please help

 

They either overfilled your oil, or they spilled some when they changed it.
It's also possible that they didn't get the oil filter on right.
You need to pop the bonnet and take a look for leakage, spillage, and check the level to see if they did overfill it.
A lot of people(including dealers) are too stupid to figure out that just reading in the manual that the car when completely empty will hold x amount of oil doesn't mean just dump in that amount. Problem is..........when you drain the oil, you will never get it all out by a long shot. The proper way would be to check the level as you add oil.
Based on what you described(and it is a guess), I would say that the oil filter isn't tight enough and is leaking. Either that or they spilled a crap load.

If you find that they did overfill it, then drain it to the proper level, clean off any oil that they may have spilled. And.........unfortunately, you need to take the air intake off and check for oil in the airbox and accordion tube. I'm tempted to tell you to go back to the shop and demand they figure it out, clean it up, and compensate you for your time...............but...............appears the F&^%ed it up in the first place!

Tell us your location and maybe a fellow member her would be willing to help out by taking a quick look. Guess you're in the UK or maybe AUS/NZ but not sure.

 

well they wrote bonnet so im guessing UK

 

yeh im in scotland!

The oil was slightly over the mark on the dip stick. untill i have made sure their are no spillages or check for oil in the airbox and accordion tube i take it i should not start or move the car?

Thanks very much for your help

 

its just oil smoke ?blueish blackish smoke?

it doesnt smell sickly sweet like coolant burning? white smoke?

yes to the first no to the second and you can drive it. get some engine degreaser and clean the whole engine compartment and everywhere you can reach. should be fine.


or have them do it.

 

If it's just a little spillage, then it's okay to drive and will burn off.
If it's a huge amount of spillage or something like the filter isn't tight, then I wouldn't drive it. Your gonna have to take a look and see.
Like Zoom asked...............is the smoke blueish in color? If so, then it's oil.

Only reason I said if overfilled, then I wanted you to check the intake and tube is because it's not good for it long term to have oil in there. Don't think they overfilled it by any significant amount, so that's good news.

The smoke you are seeing is most likely NOT directly from any overfill(as that would be hard to do anyway), but is probably one these three.

1.) They spilled some.
2.) Oil filter not tight and/or leaking.
3.) Oil filler cap wasn't put back on(and this isn't likely).

Take a good look and get it as clean as you can(see Zoom's post). Then start it and carefully check for leaks.