deamicls

iTrader: (1)

Here's my story:

I've been getting all my oil changes done for free by my local mazda dealership and For the past 4 oil changes I noticed that the oil was above the Full mark on my dipstick. I brought this up with the service rep at mazda while I was getting another oil change and said that he would deal with the issue. Finally, I was able to talk to the mechanic who does my oil changes and I asked him why the oil always over filled by a considerable amount.

He goes on to explain that the rotary's oil should be checked while it is running. Obviously, I'm pretty pissed off since the manual clearly says to turn the damn engine off and wait 5 minutes and that it also says to not overfill or it will cause major engine damage. He continues to explain that the manual is wrong and that this is how it needs to be done. Obviously, there is no point in arguing with this guy since he's convinced that Mazda engineers don't know what they are talking about and that you need to check the oil while the engine is running.

What should I do about this? Does anyone think that considerable damage has been done to the engine?

The car just hit 38k and I do my oil changes every 3k.

Go48

That's a new one on me. Avoid this guy at all costs. Try another dealer or do the oil changes yourself. It isn't difficult and if you've never done that before, there's a DIY in that section of this forum that walks you through the entire process.

BTW, if the oil level is just a little above the full mark it's not a big deal.

deamicls

iTrader: (1)

I hear you. But it isn't a little above....it's a lot!

Do you think that if I run into problems with my engine then I will be able to get a new one by letting Mazda Crop. what this mechanic is doing?

I really would like to hear what everyone thinks of what this guy is doing. I'm going to contact someone from Mazda Corp and see what they can do about this.

Go48

Well, it's pretty simple. The "mechanic" (probably a grease monkey) doesn't know what he's talking about or at least he is not following the factory recommendations. You could take the car to a quick oil change place and get better service than that. (But don't do that either.) Like I said, check out the oil change DIY and see if that's something you are up to. You'll be glad you did.

In the meantime, call the 800 number in your owners manual to register your complaint. Explain the situation to them and if anything comes up in the future that could conceivably be traced to the overfilling, you are on record. Make note of the date, time and who you talked to. Then ask them to recommend a dealer with service people that know what they're talking about!

deamicls

iTrader: (1)

I've changed the oil a couple times before but it comes down to not having enough time so I would get my oil changes done during my lunch break in 30 minutes. It also helps that I get all my oil changes for free from the dealership but I've learned my lesson now.

This really angers me though. I don't understand why the hell someone would go against protocol on something so important/basic. I hope that they fire this guy and i get some sort of warranty on my engine. If someone can't do a proper oil change then they shouldn't be working on cars.

Freddie

That's the most bizarre thing I've heard all day. I would say, don't "walk away" from that dealership -- RUN!!!

WhiteDealershipRice

I'd say to ask the mechanic and the service manager to put that in writing. If they refuse, they are knowingly doing it wrong, and if they do put it in writing, copy it and send the copy to MNAO, so they realize why us rotary owners give them so much $iite about sub par service.

deamicls

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the advice everyone I really appreciate it.

I'm definitely doing all of the above on monday. Looks like that dealership is not going to like me or see me again.

early 30's crisis

I had the same problem at my dealer... overfull, by a full liter, TWICE..
I got them to drain it, after they blamed it on the filter last time and the oil in there (are you kidding me?)

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/dealer-oil-change-over-full-107643/

About to head back for change number three... wonder what will happen this time..

dbright007

I have my oil changed by a specialist shop that only deals with Mazda's, and handles race prep for a lot of rotaries. Last time he changed it, checked it and it was a little over full. He put it back up on the rack to drain it down to proper fill - said overfilling was not good.

Nick R

Truth of the matter is that if you've had all the oil changes done at the dealer and the motor goes during your warranty period, Mazda will be giving you a new motor. I personally would just change the oil myself.

Stavesacre21

he's full of crap...and just covering his own butt. There is clearly no reason to ever leave an engine running when checking the oil...WAY too many variables. Heck, if the manual even states it, it's hands down...

2 thoughts...

1 - next dealership please
2 - change your own oil. definetely.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

How hard it is to keep it at the right level.

Drain from the pan. Put 4 BOTTLES of oil in. and thats it. How hard is THAT. well 4 quarts of oil will still overfill a bit, but its not going to be as bad as what you're dealership is doing.

and tell that *mech* to use some common sense, how would you get an accurate oil level reading when the engine is running ? This is the same for all cars. Not just the 8

RoXanneBlack8

4 quarts? i put in 5.

and u CAN check it while its running and the reading wont be off AS MUCH as it would be ina piston engine but i always check it when its off and somewhat cold. being a half quart high is not a big deal, especially if ur abusing it as often as u should be. that half quart will be consumed qucikly. if i were u, id only bitch if it were too LOW

cajunrx8

Now don't take this as defending an idiot, but there are some heavy equipment such as Caterpillar that do check with the engine running. However that being said, Thiis guy is a tool and needs to be shitcanned or trained in proper service of automobiles.
Go drag the Service Manager out there and show hpm how stupid this guy is and inform him that you will require an new engine at their expense if there is damage to your car.

ChuLooz

+1 for getting the guy to put his babble in writing, then you've got them by the *****...either way good luck

ken-x8

Would those be dry sump systems? I can't imagine checking the oil in any wet sump engine while it's running.

Ken

puch96

Well, they will probably give you a re-manufactured one....

puch96

When I had my oil change, the first time they over-filled it (when they used the "bulk motorcraft oil" from their oil pumps.)

The second time, I asked them to use the Mazda oil that comes in bottles, and they filled her up just perfectly to the Full mark...

AdRoCK3217

By Mazda tolerance standards, almost ALL re-manufactured motors get brand new rotor housings. ALL get brand new seals (o-ring, coolant, apex), and new springs (corner, side, apex). So in essence..the rotors (if in tolerance) are reused, and most likely the end plates. With these parts listed..you basically get a new engine. New housings + new apex seals = new compression.

RoXanneBlack8

"New housings + new apex seals = new compression"


thats really the only part that matters so a "reman" is basically new. mazda will never ship u a BRAND NEW rotary, but in the sense of it, it doesnt matter, like he said new housings and seals=new engine.

ps, being a quart over will not damage the engine.

neither will running past 9k but the manual still states that as a risk of damaging. they just say this crap for legal jargon nonsense. they dont want some ididot puttin 12 quarts in and sayin the manual doesnt say NOT to! and they dont want soem ididot downshifting third gear at 94 mph into 2nd to "see what happens" bc the manual doesnt say anything about overrevvin.....

just legal nonsense
in the end, put in 5 quarts and redline the little *****!!!!!


like me

deamicls

iTrader: (1)

Thanks everyone for your input. I really appreciate it.

It still boggles my mind as to why someone would go against what the manual says.....WHY!?!?!?

I hope that calling Mazda USA will be enough to deal with this issue so I don't have to go get anyone to sign anything. I hate all this work that you have to go through to get decent service!

Any experts out there know what kind of engine damage I might be looking at?

deamicls

iTrader: (1)

I see what you're saying and I agree. But, don't you think that it's a good idea to bring this up to Mazda USA just to cover my ***? What if the engine does fail at 80k or 100k and I did not contact mazda about this issue. I'll be sol and I want to prevent that since this is going to be my only car for the next 5 years and I don't want to pay for someone else's mistake.

I'm planning on driving this car until it dies and want to be on the safe side. Can't blame anyone for being cautious.

04RX8man

That's crazy I've never heard of any car that you have to leave your car running to check the oil! It's not an accurate level becuase the oil is being thrown arouund everywhere and not settled down. You should at least let your car sit for five minutes to let everything drain down. don't listen to this joker he knows nothing.

RoXanneBlack8

its not gonna cause damage bro, not just a half quart or even a full quart, if it were 5 quarts high, maybe id be worried, but its not ull be fine man.

at 100k the engine will be well past warranty anyway and there'd be no way to prove they damaged it by running the half quart extra.

overfilling isnt as big of an issue in these as they r with normal cars where they have those weird valvetrain thingys and conrod stuff.

between the 14 oil coolers, metering oil pump system, and 23 oil injectors on the rotor housings u have room for a lil extra. ur ok man, sleep welll