My Mazda dealer said I need to replace the 4 O Rings for the Oil Cooler. Is this normal with the 12a? Can anyone tell me why the O Rings are bad?

My RX-7 is a 1985 12a

Thanks

 

Yes it's normal. They dry out, become brittle and then leak.

 

I have had to replace them on both the rx-7's I've had. I think it is normal.

 

thats right ,, don't buy them from mazda $ 4.50 a set
go to napa/ whatever parts store and get the same part for far less money.

 

Just be sure they're close or exactly the same size. The real Mazda ones probably last longer, but if your engine is old enough to have hard leaking O rings, it'll need a rebuild soon anyway.

 

yeah, it is normal. they just get old. i replaced mine, and just used some generic ones out of one of those "o-ring" kits that you can anywhere. no probs yet.
jeff

 

This is gonna sound stupid and newbish, but where exactly are they? I know they're somewhere near the "bee hive" oil cooler, but are they on top, or bottom? Are they accessible if you take the filter off for an oil change?

I figure I'll replace mine as a matter of course. The car's been sitting so long that pretty much anything that's rubber has to go.

Jon

 

they are on the bottom of the oil cooler. you have to pull the whole hive off to get to them which means you need a 22mm wrench i believe. a socket won't fit down there. you should be able to find more detailed info with a search. i'm about to do mine when i put my carb back on today. i'll TRY to remember to take pics and maybe i can help ya out! later,

 

REBUILD?

Rebuild what?

 

hey does the 1979 oil cooler in the front have the same o rings. I m leaking as well.

 

no...... it is completley different.. look at felix's website.. he has a method for fixing leaky air/oil cooler

 

no but your oil filter pedestal does and they will dry out and leak.

 

never seen one with 4 o rings, i read that everywhere, everyone I ever replaced only has 2

I have them available in Viton, for 1.25/ea

 

There are two o-rings between the pedestal of the oil cooler and the engine and two more between the pedestal and the oil cooler. You'll see them if you take it all apart.

 

I've got $13 worth of oil O-rings in the glove compartment of the 83, but I guess I'll have to install them to get any good out of it! Muwahaha.

B

 

One mechanic at a mazda dealer told me not to replace the O rings on the oil cooler, just leave it alone. He said by replacing the O rings it could cause problems with the lines and stripping the threads which will cause you to replace the Oil Cooler and lines - will cost you $1500.

Is this true????

 

bull$hit!!!!!

 

That's what I thought!