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re: Car repair issues- is this the right board to ask?
Posted on 7/10/25 at 1:11 pm to AwgustaDawg
Posted on 7/10/25 at 1:11 pm to AwgustaDawg
,OP needs to verify with his owners manual that the light is indeed the low oil light and not the oil change interval light OR the low oil pressure light, the latter will usually be red not yellow and means stop NOW which may or may not be hyperbolic but should not be ignored.
Every car engine is burning oil all the time, if it isn't the compression rings are just about to weld themselves to the cylinder walls. There is a lot more science behind piston ring pressure (radial pressure) than most people would ever think. The oil control ring has to be tight and produce a good seal, but not good enough to wipe the entire oil film off the cylinder or the compression rings will not be lubricated. While engine tolerances have gotten better piston ring radial loads have been reduced over the years.
Several people have given the OP the proper path. Bring the oil level up to full. Get a good cold oil level measurement; taking a picture is a good idea. Then check the level every couple of hundred miles and get an idea of the oil consumption as it burns the first quart off. You then have a benchmark to help determine if it is within Mazda tolerance or is headed toward destruction. Not knowing the exact starting point of the previous oil change (it could have been underfilled) you can't make a determination now.
While there could be lots of issues that cause increased oil consumption IIRC that engine has had exhaust valve seal issues in the past. I do not remember the outcome or if there is a TSB etc for it or the year or years they were effected.
quote:
If it was burning a bunch it would...they all burn some.
Every car engine is burning oil all the time, if it isn't the compression rings are just about to weld themselves to the cylinder walls. There is a lot more science behind piston ring pressure (radial pressure) than most people would ever think. The oil control ring has to be tight and produce a good seal, but not good enough to wipe the entire oil film off the cylinder or the compression rings will not be lubricated. While engine tolerances have gotten better piston ring radial loads have been reduced over the years.
Several people have given the OP the proper path. Bring the oil level up to full. Get a good cold oil level measurement; taking a picture is a good idea. Then check the level every couple of hundred miles and get an idea of the oil consumption as it burns the first quart off. You then have a benchmark to help determine if it is within Mazda tolerance or is headed toward destruction. Not knowing the exact starting point of the previous oil change (it could have been underfilled) you can't make a determination now.
While there could be lots of issues that cause increased oil consumption IIRC that engine has had exhaust valve seal issues in the past. I do not remember the outcome or if there is a TSB etc for it or the year or years they were effected.
This post was edited on 7/10/25 at 2:44 pm
0
Posted on 7/10/25 at 1:13 pm to otowntiger
Could trusted mechanic flubbed the dub on oil change? Too little, wrong weight or viscosity?
Oil pressure gauge sensor?
Like someone else mentioned respecting white smoke starting up? (Or idling?) Compression issues?
Seals should not be iffy at 65k. Who knows. Maybe try this after oil change.
Oil pressure gauge sensor?
Like someone else mentioned respecting white smoke starting up? (Or idling?) Compression issues?
Seals should not be iffy at 65k. Who knows. Maybe try this after oil change.
Posted on 7/10/25 at 1:21 pm to otowntiger
Interesting reddit thread on possible issues on your model year CX9.
The non-Turbo 2.5L and the older V6 are very solid dependable motors.
LINK
The non-Turbo 2.5L and the older V6 are very solid dependable motors.
LINK
This post was edited on 7/10/25 at 1:23 pm
Posted on 7/10/25 at 1:24 pm to otowntiger
This is the right board to ask about anything
Posted on 7/10/25 at 2:15 pm to blueridgeTiger
OP dont freak.
Like other said oil consumption is normal for a lot.of new engines especially if they run the 0w-20 thin shite.
Your vehicle manuel will usually give you a writeup on it.
Makensure you have the right oil.
Top off and pay attention and see.
Like other said oil consumption is normal for a lot.of new engines especially if they run the 0w-20 thin shite.
Your vehicle manuel will usually give you a writeup on it.
Makensure you have the right oil.
Top off and pay attention and see.
Posted on 7/10/25 at 3:03 pm to N2cars
quote:
I've never had a street car or track car do thst unless they were already low on oil.
It is extremely difficult for those connections to get dirty on anything built since the 90s.
They're pretty well sealed from thr environment.
This is true. Its might near impossible to intentionally unplug one of the damned things but I have had them get loose on their own and get corroded....
Posted on 7/10/25 at 3:16 pm to thejudge
Agreeing with others to make sure the correct viscosity was used. Plus, make sure he used the same brand as before. Switching brands can cause issues with oil consumption due to additive packages.
Posted on 7/10/25 at 3:32 pm to otowntiger
I think Mazdas with Skyactiv need to be checked with the oil hot or they will read too low. Check the procedure in your manual. You have to run it up to operating temp then wait 10 minutes to check it.
Posted on 7/10/25 at 4:01 pm to Gold Member
quote:
I think Mazdas with Skyactiv need to be checked with the oil hot or they will read too low. Check the procedure in your manual. You have to run it up to operating temp then wait 10 minutes to check it.
Important bit of info! Checking oil used to be simple except if you had a dry sump but it can be more complex today. One of my cars doesn't have a dipstick you check it through the infotainment system.
Posted on 7/10/25 at 4:05 pm to otowntiger
I would listen to your trusted mechanic. See what he has to say once he is able to inspect it, and take it from there.
ETA maybe "she," it is 2025.
ETA maybe "she," it is 2025.
This post was edited on 7/10/25 at 4:06 pm
Posted on 7/11/25 at 12:50 am to otowntiger
Take your car to Mark at University Car Care on Highland Rd. Let him take a look. The guy’s a diagnostic genius. I’ve been taking cars there for over 25 years.
By the way, I drive a 2012 Mazda CX-9, but I’m not that Uber driver mentioned below.
By the way, I drive a 2012 Mazda CX-9, but I’m not that Uber driver mentioned below.
Posted on 7/11/25 at 1:14 am to otowntiger
Since there doesn’t seem to be any acute issues, I would go through another oil change cycle or two and keep track of the oil levels, cold and hot.
Report back to the board your findings.
Report back to the board your findings.
Posted on 7/11/25 at 8:21 am to MidCityTiger
quote:. I would if I didn’t live 700 miles away from BR.
Take your car to Mark at University Car Care on Highland Rd. Let him take a look. The guy’s a diagnostic genius. I’ve been taking cars there for over 25 years
Posted on 7/11/25 at 8:25 am to Obtuse1
quote:
I think Mazdas with Skyactiv need to be checked with the oil hot or they will read too low. Check the procedure in your manual. You have to run it up to operating temp then wait 10 minutes to check it. Important bit of info! Checking oil used to be simple except if you had a dry sump but it can be more complex today. One of my cars doesn't have a dipstick you check it through the infotainment system.
Good to know!! I’ll look at the manual because the cold reading showed the level just above the bottom dot- so kinda low.
Posted on 7/11/25 at 8:27 am to otowntiger
Check the manual, but I believe it's close to 2 quarts low.
What's the oil capacity?
What's the oil capacity?
Posted on 7/11/25 at 8:34 am to otowntiger
The CX-9 with the 2.5 have a fairly common issue of failed or degraded valve stem seals. You look to be at right about the mileage and age to expect it. The most common issue associated with it, is oil consumption as it lets oil leak into the combustion chamber.
ETA: Mazda has TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) out on this issue for this era CX9 for oil leaks and defective valve stem seals. Mazda's recommendation is regularly top off the oil, target 4k oil change intervals, if the problem advances, it's likely to need valve stem seal replacement. That's not a guarantee that this is your issue though.
ETA: Mazda has TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) out on this issue for this era CX9 for oil leaks and defective valve stem seals. Mazda's recommendation is regularly top off the oil, target 4k oil change intervals, if the problem advances, it's likely to need valve stem seal replacement. That's not a guarantee that this is your issue though.
This post was edited on 7/11/25 at 9:23 am
Posted on 7/11/25 at 8:38 am to otowntiger
The oil level is ok? Check it like the manual says.
If the oil level is ok… there is one of two scenarios.. your oil pressure sensor is bad.. or your oil pump is.
Oil pressure isn’t anything to play with. Bearings turn to glitter in a very very short time.
Take it in immediately and have them cut open the oil filter to look for metal and do an oil pressure test to verify the sensor. If the oil is fine in the filter, and the pressure is right, replace the sensor and go on.
Now if it’s losing oil and you don’t see it on the ground…. It’s going through the tailpipe. In that case…If the pcv valves are ok…
If the oil level is ok… there is one of two scenarios.. your oil pressure sensor is bad.. or your oil pump is.
Oil pressure isn’t anything to play with. Bearings turn to glitter in a very very short time.
Take it in immediately and have them cut open the oil filter to look for metal and do an oil pressure test to verify the sensor. If the oil is fine in the filter, and the pressure is right, replace the sensor and go on.
Now if it’s losing oil and you don’t see it on the ground…. It’s going through the tailpipe. In that case…If the pcv valves are ok…
Posted on 7/11/25 at 8:43 am to otowntiger
Valvoline Restore and Protect motor oil. Accounts are it does amazing things for oil consumption and blow by. Can’t confirm nor deny so do your own research.
Gonna run it thru my 75k truck the next few changes just because
Gonna run it thru my 75k truck the next few changes just because
Posted on 7/11/25 at 8:46 am to DTRooster
If it ain't broke, dont fix it
Posted on 7/11/25 at 8:49 am to RolltidePA
Valve seals was what I was thinking...
He'd only get a quick puff of smoke on startup.
If he's burning 2 quarts in 5K, Id just add oil and not worry about it until it gets worse.
He'd only get a quick puff of smoke on startup.
If he's burning 2 quarts in 5K, Id just add oil and not worry about it until it gets worse.
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