Beehive oil cooler removal help
 

I have a 1985 Rx7 12a with the beehive oil cooler. The cooler is leaking where it bolts to the pedestal with the two small nuts. (Not leaking at the bolts where the FSM says never losen) I believe this is the common leak that needs the 4 O-rings replaced (4 O-rings for 2 holes, top and bottom)

Anyway, I have gotten the two small nuts from the bottom off, the one bolt that goes into the top of the block and both water cooling hoses off.

My problem is that I cant seem to figure out how to remove the oil line that goes into the bottom of the cooler and into the front of the engine. I have read about the "banjo" bolt but the FSM says never losen it.

Here is a picture of what I am talking about and I pointed out the two locations that I think need to be losened, whether its one or the other or both.

P.S. If it is the top bolt that is pointed out, do I need a crush washer when reinstalling?

Thanks,

Remove that bolt to disconnect the oil line. There is a crush washer on each side of the banjo. I've always been able to reuse them. Here are some pictures.

http://intertron.com/ron/images/boc1.jpg
http://intertron.com/ron/images/boc2.jpg
http://intertron.com/ron/images/boc3.jpg
http://intertron.com/ron/images/boc4.jpg

Oh these pictures are awesome! Clears everything up thanks you so much! One last question, is there an alternative o-ring instead of buying the ones from mazdatrix?

Your local O'Riley or whatever may have the right stuff if your lucky. For your sanity you may just want to get the MT ones, and not wonder every time you run the car if you got the right parts from the kid behind the counter.

Yeah agreed, and ususally when things are done right the first time the more likely you wont have to do it again.

Thanks for your help man!

Do you know what size wrench the oil hard line is. Either, it must be a 15/16s or a 23mm wrench. I have tried everything within that range but either my wrenchs are too big or too small. I am going to have to buy the correct wrench but dont want to get the wrong one.

I used a cresent wrench but the way the bolt is turned and the small amount of room i have, I am going to strip it.

Thanks,

-Mike

The banjo bolt is a 23mm.

It's a pain to remove but you should be able to get it with some patience!

Thanks, yeah it needs some finessing, and before i put some real muscle into it I wanna make sure I have the right size wrench on there.

If you're unable to get that banjo bolt out you can always try to remove the hardline at the other end - the front cover side, and then fish the whole thing out. If you still have A/C in there though that would be near impossible.

If you do try that route, you'll need a 21mm to hold the fitting on the front cover, I forget the size of the line nut on the actual hard line, but I want to say its 26mm. typically I just use an adjustable for that one...

Does anyone have any
"tricks" in how to get to the 10 mm nut closest to the driver? My car has ac and can barely get hand just to touch the 10 mm nut . Looks like under the car is possible but oil sending unit is in the way. So did you all remove anything to get to the 10 mm nut by driver?

Find a 23mm crows foot. works perfect for the bajo bolt.