Skid Plate needs to be replaced and cannot change oil cause of it!

[DumpInfo]

So I go to get my oil change this morning and it appears that my 'skid plate is seasoning' and cannot be removed??? :bang They asked me to go to the dealer to get a replacement. I'm already over about 100kms and I've heard bad reviews on certain Mazda dealers in the area (from this forum). I live in Whitby and was wondering if anyone knows how much it would cost with install? And a good dealership to go and get this done? I'm running on a 2004 Mazda GT Sport...any suggestions would be great!

[baymoe]

I think there may be a TSB out for those screws rusting in place. Worse come to worse, just cut it the plastic opening to get access to the filter cartridge.

[TheProfessor]

If you do buy one:

1) It might be worthwhile to drive into Toronto and buy from Joe, he'll hook you up
2) Don't have it installed by the dealer, have the shop who is changing your oil put on the new one once done. If the shop you're using for oil changes can't remove the existing one I'd consider using a different shop.

[DumpInfo]

Alright great info. I'll do a search for Joe's number and location on the forum. Thanks again for all suggestions!

[mit-gee-mui]

In case you haven't found it.


Mazda of Toronto
6167 Yonge Street
North York, ON M2M 3X2
(416) 642-7777
Map: http://www.google.ca/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=6167+Yonge+St,+North+York,+ON&ie=UTF8&z=15&om=1&iwloc=addr

Source: http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showpost.php?p=136562&postcount=2

:)

[b]

These plates are a pita. I just installed my 4th one. I hate the way they always break. I want to see if I can get one made of aluminum or something. Eek.

[DumpInfo]

mit-gee-mui, I did come across it spoke with Joe directly and paid them a visit first thing yesterday. Unfortunately I didn't have time to meet Joe but I came across others that treated me just as well. I'll definitely will be visiting them on a regular basis for parts, etc.. thanks tho I appreciate it :)


These plates are a pita. I just installed my 4th one. I hate the way they always break. I want to see if I can get one made of aluminum or something. Eek.

b, was your car lowered or something? Excuse me but I'm a n00b and don't know as much on cars and I probably should. Why would it break that often? Any ideas?

[b]

Ya my car is lowered... I can't figure out why I am going through so many tho. It isn't that low tho. :|

[Fuman]

mit-gee-mui, I did come across it spoke with Joe directly and paid them a visit first thing yesterday. Unfortunately I didn't have time to meet Joe but I came across others that treated me just as well. I'll definitely will be visiting them on a regular basis for parts, etc.. thanks tho I appreciate it :)



b, was your car lowered or something? Excuse me but I'm a n00b and don't know as much on cars and I probably should. Why would it break that often? Any ideas?
is skid plate is seized you mean? (skid plate = engine undercover?)
The TSB
http://www.finishlineperformance.com/pdf/mazda3/bulletin/09-012-07-1747.pdf
(please note it is American, but I did have the Canadian version done to my car @ MOT)

[TheProfessor]

Ya my car is lowered... I can't figure out why I am going through so many tho. It isn't that low tho. :|


Four plates? Holy crap, ours is perfectly fine after three years (knock on wood).

[DumpInfo]

Fuman, all I know is that at the shop I go to for my oil changes said my skid plate (lower shield) was seasoning. The bolts were broken off and the screw part was still in the whole. Fortunately I toke TheProfessor's recommendation and went with it. MoT did it Saturday morning along with my oil change and couldn't be happier :)

It was worth the drive coming from Whitby too! Thanks again!

[Flagrum_3]

Ya my car is lowered... I can't figure out why I am going through so many tho. It isn't that low tho. :|

I guess that could explain all the Road-Kill :chuckle

What are you lowered on? I'm on pro-kits and like the Professor I'm at 3 years with no problems!


_3


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[kaZoomm]

is skid plate is seized you mean? (skid plate = engine undercover?)
The TSB
http://www.finishlineperformance.com/pdf/mazda3/bulletin/09-012-07-1747.pdf
(please note it is American, but I did have the Canadian version done to my car @ MOT)

I had my oil changed at Westowne Mazda, and I happened to take a look underneath when I got home - the back right corner was hanging off! It was the weekend then, so before it got wrecked, I removed all the bolts and took it back there Monday in the back seat. Perhaps d/t the TSB, but they quickly re-attached it with new bolts, and replaced the right support, which had torn off - all at no charge :)

[b]

I guess that could explain all the Road-Kill :chuckle

What are you lowered on? I'm on pro-kits and like the Professor I'm at 3 years with no problems!


_3


.

I am on prokits too! I can't figure it out. Do your wheels have less than 1 finger gap from the car? I think mine is much lower than it should be... I always hit speed bumps on the bottom of my car and it scrapes and whenever I pull into esso up the street it has a bit of a uphill entrance so i always hit going up that too. I can't figure it out.

[Flagrum_3]

I am on prokits too! I can't figure it out. Do your wheels have less than 1 finger gap from the car? I think mine is much lower than it should be... I always hit speed bumps on the bottom of my car and it scrapes and whenever I pull into esso up the street it has a bit of a uphill entrance so i always hit going up that too. I can't figure it out.

One finger? I'm not sure what exactly that means, but I have exactly, a 1 inch verticle gap from fender edge to the top of the tires all around.


_3


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[Swerny]

'skid plate is seasoning' and cannot be removed??? :


Steak spice or oregano/basil?

Pretty sure you mean seizing.

[DumpInfo]

If that's the proper word fine thanks for correcting me...am satisfied that everyone understood me. :AH

[danaussie]

Got my skid plate done at the dealership today when it was in to replace the defective bearing they just changed 2000 km got a bad batch and there is a recall out on that bearing run. Oh yeah and they did not have the new bearing so now for my trip I have to rent a car for 22 days so not really impressed about that but the service there is normally good at GP Mazda in Alberta.:bang