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View Full Version : Looking for advice on an oil leak I found (Photos Included)



Wittinator
07-28-2016, 07:02 PM
Hi there,

I have a 04 Mazda 3, 2.3L with 190k on it. It's certainly an older car with high mileage but I take my cars very seriously and I try and do everything I can to ensure it's running well. So naturally I was a little upset that during a routine oil change the other day I noticed some leaked oil.

Below are a few photos I took of the situation. The orientation is a little jarring so I tried to make it clear which way was up on the first photo.

You'll see in the photos there's oil on two hoses near the right front wheel area as well as oil that has dripped on top of what I think is the steering arm? Though I'm not sure on that one.

Basically I am not sure how to approach this problem. I am specifically wondering what those two hoses are that seem to be leaking, and what might be the root cause of this leak? It looks to me like it's dripping from something above both the hose and the steering arm but I couldn't find the root source of the dripping. Can these oil leaks be fixed at all or do I just gotta live with it.

I'll likely take her to a shop but I figured I may as well make a post about it first and see what folks say.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Cheers,

http://i.imgur.com/VGRALIw.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Q9k3nyI.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/6WI9RR8.jpg

Shawn
07-29-2016, 01:43 AM
I would shampoo / clean the area and see if it reappears. That looks like road splatter.
One looks like AC hose.

Flagrum_3
07-29-2016, 01:57 AM
Doesn't look like oil but grease, and possibly what was mentioned above; road debris. I'd check your cv boots and motor mounts for torn boots and damage leakage also.

Jackal
07-29-2016, 12:06 PM
Check all fluids and see which one is low. Or check what Flagrum mentioned. You'll get your answer that way.

Reddie1337
07-31-2016, 12:06 PM
As far as I can see, it looks like your cv shaft is leaking right near the clamp, that will spray grease as the axle spins and make the drops you're seeing around the engine bay. I suggest a replacement boot, or replacement axle.

You can see what I mean at the 3/3 in this picture.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160731/7df59ae551481cc885bb9544b05724ae.png

-Reddie