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First major repair on my 2007 Mazda 3

Ryland

Ryland

Platinum Member
While changing the oil yesterday I noticed that the oil was foamy so I took a look in the coolant overflow and found that it was low. Looks like either the head gasket is shot or the block is cracked. And Im only at 69,000 miles (9k over the power train warranty). Argh.

This is not going to be cheap...
 
That sucks but it won't hurt to nicely discuss a possible warranty claim with the service manager.
 
Ugh. That's not a common problem on those motors, sorry that it happened to you. 'Major repair' is right.
 
RKS said:
That sucks but it won't hurt to nicely discuss a possible warranty claim with the service manager.
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I did that this morning. My car is going in tomorrow and they are going to try to get the repair at least partially covered under an "Out of Warranty Assistance" program.

No overheating at all. The car is running fine, temps are normal, etc. I just happened to notice it because of the foam in the oil.

A friend is a mechanic (does not work for free though) and priced the job out at $1700 but thats rebuilding the entire head since its apart anyway.
 
I would talk to the dealer and talk to someone at corporate. That is just too early. Man that sucks. I was thinking something like cv boot
 
alfa147x said:
I would talk to the dealer and talk to someone at corporate. That is just too early. Man that sucks. I was thinking something like cv boot
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That is my plan, Im definitely going to try to push this up the chain because it does seem too early for the head gasket to have gone. First thing though is to get the problem diagnosed which is happening tomorrow.
 
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Do you do frequent short trips?
A foamy milky looking substance in the fill cap is just condensation and a long highway drive would get rid of that. If you've never topped up your coolant either its normal for it to be a bit low.

I wouldn't worry just yet....
 
CraigRT said:
Do you do frequent short trips?
A foamy milky looking substance in the fill cap is just condensation and a long highway drive would get rid of that. If you've never topped up your coolant either its normal for it to be a bit low.

I wouldn't worry just yet....
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My car hadnt been run in 2 days and only was run long enough for me to get it onto the ramps so I could get under it. The entire top of the pan I drain my oil into was covered in a coffee milk looking layer of bubbles which was still there after I transferred the oil into the 5 gallon bucket I use. It is possible that nothing is wrong (I would much rather that) but from the description I gave a mechanic and a friend they both gave me the same answer.
 
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Ryland said:
My car hadnt been run in 2 days and only was run long enough for me to get it onto the ramps so I could get under it. The entire top of the pan I drain my oil into was covered in a coffee milk looking layer of bubbles which was still there after I transferred the oil into the 5 gallon bucket I use. It is possible that nothing is wrong (I would much rather that) but from the description I gave a mechanic and a friend they both gave me the same answer.
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I would just keep an eye on your coolant resevoir over the next few days and go from there.
I still wouldn't worry yet. There is no reason for that to happen to a 4 year old car that has been maintained.
 
CraigRT said:
I would just keep an eye on your coolant resevoir over the next few days and go from there.
I still wouldn't worry yet. There is no reason for that to happen to a 4 year old car that has been maintained.
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I already have an appt scheduled for it to be looked at which I might as well keep and then go from there. It would be nice for it to be nothing other than me overreacting but my luck doesnt work that way.
 
I have an 07 3, I have not had any major issues aside from that Power steering recall, which I am still fighting about a refund. HOwever, I think my wheel bearings on the front and the struts in the back need to be replaced.
 
Ryland said:
Thus I should get it diagnosed by someone who can actually look at the problem and figure out what, if anything, is wrong.
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Just make sure to not let yourself get taken.
I would suggest the idea of condensation and don't act clueless or next thing you know you'll be paying for a head gasket job you don't need.
 
Probably gonna get flamed for saying this but I would change the fluids and trade it in. Keep your mouth shut about it unless asked, then fess up. Used car dealers do it to you, you would just be returning the favor.
 
lavaheadache said:
Probably gonna get flamed for saying this but I would change the fluids and trade it in. Keep your mouth shut about it unless asked, then fess up. Used car dealers do it to you, you would just be returning the favor.
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I thought about it but I dont really want to deal with a car payment right now but Im definitely weighing my options (as if I have many).
 
CraigRT said:
Just make sure to not let yourself get taken.
I would suggest the idea of condensation and don't act clueless or next thing you know you'll be paying for a head gasket job you don't need.
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Well the bubbles were still floating on top of the oil in my bucket as of about 2 hours ago...
 
have you done a compression test or leak down test? that might help diagnose the headgasket for sure?
I would join the bandwagon and say "this is too early" but I dont know what your driving style is like. Do you drive the piss out of the car?
 
FuzzyDunlop said:
have you done a compression test or leak down test? that might help diagnose the headgasket for sure?
I would join the bandwagon and say "this is too early" but I dont know what your driving style is like. Do you drive the piss out of the car?
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I usually drive 5-10 over the speed limit but dont do jackrabbit starts or last second braking. I dont beat on my car if thats what you are asking. It gets the standard routine maintenance. I have no way to do a compression test on it which is why its at the dealer.
 
If the oil is as stated:

There is a problem, and I'm not talking about condensation. Coffee colored and foaming is not condensation. I have seen oil get foamy due to overfilling the oil sump ( it gets whipped up due to the crankshaft acting like a blender ). If the oil was at a normal level, coffee colored and foamy then you have a lot of coolant in the oil. As stated blown head gasket or cracked block.If the intake manifold has coolant passages it could also dump into the oil pan. The overfilled oil would be the best case of the three as long as the oil pump hasn't been air bound starving the engine of lubricant.
 
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I just got the call from Mazda. The car passed a coolant system pressure test so they dont think its the head gasket. At this point they are leaning towards nothing really being wrong but that the coolant might be breaking down and evaporating and the fact that I changed the oil when it was cold with limited run time might have caused the foaming. I will take a $129 coolant flush (and get my car washed) over a $1700 head gasket any day.
 
If the oil was as milky as you depicted - there was a major failure in the oil/water separation barriers SOMEWHERE in that motor.

I would keep a VERY close eye on the oil if you just get the coolant flush..

Like checked 2-3 times a day when driven.
 
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