im having oil cooler issues, im curious, would it do any harm to just run my an line from the back iron to the front covere, deleting the oil cooler, just so i can get to work for the week until i can get the proper lines for my oil cooler, i know i wouldnt be racing or revving my engine up high, just need to get to work
any suggestions?

 

I would think so. Especially since it is winter. It may run a bit hotter, worst case it would breakdown the oil (unlikely), but you can change the oil when you repair the lines to ensure there is good oil. Get to work!

 

I don't know man. I once had to do some roadside improvising and ended up with a kink in a cooling line to my beehive cooler. Drove 20 miles home, but the whole time I was getting overheat warnings (even though the temp gauge read ok). I believe that something like 30 - 40% of the cooling of a rotary is done through the oil. I don't think I would risk it.... Well, maybe if it was a very short drive to work.

 

Do you have aftermarket oil temp and water temp gauges? You could keep an eye on the temps if you do. If you are relying on the stock temp gauge in the cluster then I would not try it.

-billy

 

You will toast your engine.

The rotary gets about 30% of its cooling capacity from the oil cooler, and without cooling the oil, you will be bathing your bearings in oil that is beyond is usuable temperature range, resulting in irreversible damage to your engine - even if it's only for a week. Overheat an engine once and it will never be the same.

A better option would be to check the oil level every day and keep adding what you lost until you can get the oil cooler problem fixed. It may cost you for oil, but that's still a lot cheaper than paying for a rebuilt (or replacement housings) for an engine that you burned up.

I'd bum a ride from family or a friend before I'd purposefully run a rotary without oil cooling. Your choice,

 

I agree with LONGDUCK. I did it once to get home but only for 20 miles. I've built (stock and ported) well over 50 rotaries for customers and torn down well over 100. I can tell you overheating is the #1 cause of motor damage.

 

30% is quite a bit LongDuck and Kentetsu. I may be offbase here but I just don't see that much heat transfer capacity from the oil coolers. Take for example the beehive cooler. That is rather small and there is no forced air across it. The larger front mount cooler provided an increase in oil cooling capability indeed. However, compare the surface area of a radiator to the cooler. Radiator is much larger.

Finally, since the cooling systems, oil and coolant, are designed to provide adequate cooling under high ambient and high load conditions, running the car under milder, low ambient and low load conditions without the cooler, the oil temp might be higher but not enough to cook it IMHO.

BUT, all said and done, I agree adding oil daily is a safer route and much easier. Definetly what I would do.

It is a good question.

 

I'm with him. I would not do it.

 

See i don't know the percentage of cooling with oil compared to water. but i would definatly avoid driving it till it's fixed, it's time to call in all those favors from friends and get some rides.

 

i dont know whats worse, no oil cooler, or the beehive oil HEATER!

 

The oil heats up quickly even at idle. If it was COLD out and the trip was very short like 5 miles you would probably be fine. I don't think I would risk it. Longduck made some good points, best be conservative. The % of cooling done by the oil is 30% or slightly higher. I run a 6 quart comp pan and a comp cooler and the oil now stays cool 180-200 range.

 

My roomate had to do this on his SE last yr for a week till the machine shop finished repairing his oil cooler. He didnt have any issues, but he was worried. He said he only did this because his work was only 20kms from home, any further and he wouldnt have done it. So how far is your work???

 

my work is 4 miles, but ive got the problem fixed, both my oil cooler lines were rubbing in a place i could not see and after 9 months they finally cut through, ive got new lines, and have them covered with rubber sleeving in the points where they touch anything. -greg

 

it will work with no oil cooler... i have some really cheap customers that just dont care about thier car except from getting from point a to point b without spending any money...so when thier oil coolers fail, they bypass them.. not my cup of tea, but the cars will run without the oil cooler hooked up.. for years....