wrong under engine cover?!?!

[subliminally incorrect]

So, for the first time I decided to try my own oil change just to see what its like ,and when I get under my MS3 GT sport for the first time I notice that the under engine cover has a hole that I can access my oil filter. HOWEVER, the hole isnt lined up with the oil filter cover. It's about 8 inches away from the actual filter.

I have to take the entire cover off in order to reach my filter and remove it... which leaves me to think... is this right? did Mazda screw me over and installed the wrong under engine cover on my car from the start or is this something thats normal across all mazda 3s?

[SonicBoy]

It is normal. Not to worry.

[Cardinal Fang]

Same engine cover for both the 2.0 and 2.3 engine. It works better with the 2.0L engine. To save money they used the same cover for both engines.

[subliminally incorrect]

so the the engine oil hole lines up with the 2.0L engine?

[dentinger]

so the the engine oil hole lines up with the 2.0L engine?

not really.

[Karen Lee-McNair]

the hole is not supposed to be lined up with the oil filter.
This is the way it is designed, unfortunately the engine undercover has to be removed each time. Just a note: make sure you have the updated clips for this undercover to prevent is coming loose too quickly

[mazda lover]

the hole is not supposed to be lined up with the oil filter.
This is the way it is designed, unfortunately the engine undercover has to be removed each time. Just a note: make sure you have the updated clips for this undercover to prevent is coming loose too quickly

I think the clips were changed to non rusting ones as the OEMs would rust making it hard to remove the screws...

[liquidzyklon]

Do what me and others have done, just cut your own hole to align with the oil filter. Now you don't have to remove the stupid undercover :D

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

Do what me and others have done, just cut your own hole to align with the oil filter. Now you don't have to remove the stupid undercover :D

Do you have anything protecting this hole and covering it? If not, I hope you have the metal spin-on conversion as it really isn't the best idea to have that plastic oil filer cartridge exposed to debris and especially winter driving conditions with snow and ice etc... It's an accident waiting to happen and possibly an engine later...

[mazda lover]

Do you have anything protecting this hole and covering it? If not, I hope you have the metal spin-on conversion as it really isn't the best idea to have that plastic oil filer cartridge exposed to debris and especially winter driving conditions with snow and ice etc... It's an accident waiting to happen and possibly an engine later...

some cars do not have a cover at all and the filter is exposed. But because the cartage is plastic the filter could get hit and crack. But what are the chances of that happening?

[liquidzyklon]

Do you have anything protecting this hole and covering it? If not, I hope you have the metal spin-on conversion as it really isn't the best idea to have that plastic oil filer cartridge exposed to debris and especially winter driving conditions with snow and ice etc... It's an accident waiting to happen and possibly an engine later...My car is a sedan so I do have the spin-on filter which is metal. I thought that the enginer under-cover was to "protect" the underside and to reduce road noise. But I am not too sure of how much protection it provides...

I prefer convenience over this "protection." To each their own.

[TheMAN]

its primary function is to increase aerodynamic efficiency and cooling efficiency of the car

[mazda lover]

its primary function is to increase aerodynamic efficiency and cooling efficiency of the car

+1

[leojadazol]

dothey sell the clips at the dealership?

[Karen Lee-McNair]

absolutely.

[marvin24k]

absolutely.

Karen, How much for a set of clips?

[mazda lover]

Karen, How much for a set of clips?

is there a TSB for the clips?/

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=18095