Why would I see some oil spot on the left front bumper lower grill(black area) after an oil change?

Tiny
TXT9900
  • MEMBER
  • 2021 MAZDA CX-5
  • 2.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 23,000 MILES
I went for an oil change about three months back at Mazda dealer. After about a month or so, I noticed some oil spots on the left front bumper grill (black part of bumper). Took it to the dealer to be looked at and they can't find any reason why that small oil spotting would be there. They cleaned it out and said everything is fine. Well, the oil spots started appearing again last week. Left the car at the dealer and they removed the bumper and checked various things such as coolant, but said everything is fine. Could this be the dreaded cracked head issue on these Mazda 2.5 NA engines? The car still has a powertrain warranty left till next June.
Wednesday, August 6th, 2025 AT 7:34 AM

6 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
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I would for sure find out where it is coming from before the powertrain warranty expires. We need to do a little investigation. I would lift the car up on a hoist and use a flashlight to trace the oil leak generation. There is no way to tell what is going on until this happens, I would take it to another shop and not the dealer. They had their chance to find it. This guide can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-is-leaking-oil

Please upload pictures or videos in your response so I can see.
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Thursday, August 7th, 2025 AT 7:05 PM
Tiny
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Here is the picture showing the oil leak on the lower part of the bumper on the left. You can see some spotting. Once the spotting was wiped off with a paper towel, it looked like oil.
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Friday, August 8th, 2025 AT 5:24 AM
Tiny
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Here is the picture with oil spots wiped off with a paper towel.
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Friday, August 8th, 2025 AT 6:48 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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That looks like animal spray. Thanks for the images they helped.
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Friday, August 8th, 2025 AT 11:14 AM
Tiny
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But how would the oil shoot out to that area of the bumper? Maybe oil drain plug gasket?
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Friday, August 8th, 2025 AT 12:04 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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If you lift the hood, can you see oil anywhere else? It looks like the spray is caused by something outside the car and sprayed onto it. Like an animal marking.
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Friday, August 8th, 2025 AT 12:24 PM

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