I've got an 84 GSL-SE with a leaky oil cooler. I've got the hoses detached (serious PITA as the hoses were really tight) and the cooler out of the car and cleaned. I'm looking for cracks around the hose nipples (for lack of a better word). Can't see any yet. Do I have to remove the threaded piece that goes into the aluminum nipple and how do you do it without damaging it more? What's the best way to spot the cracks and exactly where to look? Lastly, how often does it leak around the washer and not from the actual cooler? Any help is appreciated.

 

Mine had to be unthreaded all the way to see the crack...

 

look at the oil cooler where the adapter screws into the cooler itself.... usally the crush washers are not the cause of the leak....make sure you replace the washers , or they will leak... some people overtighten causing the cooler to crack, so tighten to spec...If the crack dosn't go too deep on the cooler you can salvage the oil cooler by 'trimming 'off the cracked part of the threads, retap to clean up the threads, then clean the cooler real good, and you just saved yourself some $$$$$

 

The adapter is a 21mm nut but what do you use to hold onto the cooler nipple to not bend or break it off during the removal process? The adapter is on REALLY tight.

 

Is there any difference in length between the SE cooler and a 81 cooler?

 

I just fixed my cooler and the thing that I did was remove the hose fittings and take it down to a specialty mechine shop. They ground a grove the length of the crack and about half way through the aluminum nipple, then they heli welded a bead down the groove. When finished they had ground every thing smooth including the face of the nipple(very important becouse this is where the fitting seals) and it cost a total of 45 dollars.
I highly suggest doing this for 2 of my friends have also done the same fix with great success.

Have fun

 

Finally got the fittings off. Is there anything special about the washers between the fittings and the oil cooler? Are these standard parts I can get from any auto store or do they need to be ordered from Mazdatrix or Racing Beat?

 

standard washers....just get the right size.... 81 oil coolers have different mounting brackets, the coolers are the same size..

 

Don't see ANY cracks in the cooler at all. The washers are pretty deformed (don't know if that was before or after I tried to remove the hoses). Went to 5 car parts stores, 2 hardware stores, and a Mazda dealer, no crush washers that fit. Had to order from Mazdatrix. Anyone know the torque setting for the fittings? I sure hope the washers were the problem!!!!

 

not sure about the torque setting, but I had the same problem when trying to find washers for my oil cooler. Why are those things so hard to find? I had to order through mazdarix as well. what a pain.