2004 Mazda 3 Oil filter leak

JACKCOCOMAC

MEMBER
2004 MAZDA 3
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
62,000 MILES

About a block from my house my oil light went on and then went off, when I pulled in drive it went on again, the engine started making noise at this point. I checked oil dip stick and oil was very low. I called my mechanic shop told them what was happening and made an appointment. I added oil and I parked the car until I could take it in 3 days later due to weekend. I drove the less than a mile to shop and dropped off. They said the oil filter was leaking and the engine was still making the noise so engine is probably shot. The shop turned it over to their insurance, since it only had had 4000 since last oil change and they are the ones that did it. They also worked on car in between to for transmission and coolant flush. I never saw any oil spots or stains where I parked. The insurance comapny is trying to get out of replacing engine, even though shop owner made it sound like they were responsible. I read that the oil blows out under pressure while driving and you may not detect oil when parked. If insurance refuses claim how do I fight them on it.

3 Replies

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,938 POSTS

Hi there,

Thank you for the donation,

It is a sad fact that insurance companies will do anything to not pay out on a claim, you will have to read the fine print in the policy very carefully and address any claim with the definitions of the claim in mind, often there is a clause that defines resultant damage, that is if the oil pump or the pressure relief valve was the cause of the oil to leak past the seal, this will be fixed under the terms of the warranty but resultant damage (what is damaged by the result of the failed component is not) I got caught on this a few years ago my self and a cost of many thousands of $$$, this is a very sneaky way they get out of paying some claims, so read the fine print first very closely, see what it says.

Mark (mhpautos)

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Saturday, July 10th, 2010 AT 7:13 AM

JACKCOCOMAC

MEMBER
2 POSTS

The car shop tells me the oil filter was loose, could find no reason or issue with car beyond that to cause it to loosen, they have never seen this happen before especially after 4000 miles. Their mechanic could find no evidence that anything hit it or undercarriage damage that may have knocked it loose, He is saying brand of oil filter is what he uses in shop but couldn't reconcile number on filter as one he gets from supplier, only his garage has done work on car, so it was put on there. Unfortunately I can't read policy, it is his( shop owners) insurance trying to squirm out of paying saying their insured put filter on correctly, can't help if oil filter or design is faulty. It is still under consideration, they have not yet sent out an adjuster and are taking their time about it. Do we need to hire a lawyer

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Saturday, July 10th, 2010 AT 11:48 AM

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,938 POSTS

If the mechanic has admitted to not tightening the filter correctly, now I have seen filters leak even with the filter tight, its all to do with the seal and the seal surface, he will have to read his police carefully, a legal council will be expensive, but an opinion may be wort spending a few $$ on, consult with the mechanic on this, as you can imagine as I am a third party and have no access to the car, I am limited as to what I can do, so I feel that an opinion from a council may be an option if the insurer is not being helpful.

Mark (mhpautos)

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Saturday, July 10th, 2010 AT 2:00 PM