In my efforts to solve my overheating issues, I decided to removed my radiator and get it boiled. I was surprised about how easy it was to remove the radiator. I have looked at it several times while it was mounted it and it looked like it was okay. No blockage(from what I could tell) and all of the "fins" were straight. However, that was from the engine side of the radiator. I never made it down to the other side.

After taking off the radiator and looking at the front of it I was shocked! There was dirt/dust completely clogging the radiator about the size of a CD. It was to the point that I couldn't see the radiator fins!!! I decided to shine a light and I could barely see 25% of the radiator.

I hope that the boiling and "tune up" of the radiator will fix my overheating issue. The only thing left for me to replace now will be the water pump.

So I guess this is a friendly reminder, since our Rx-7s are a little old...lol. Honestly, I expected some crap to be in the radiator but not even close to this much.

Next, I will be removing the oil cooler and checking and possibly cleaning that too. Unless, it is a good time to just upgrade it with something better. Time to use the magical search button!!!

Thanks for listening to my noob mechanic story.

 

I just replaced mine for insurance since it was 20+ years old. Its only $125 shipped from radiators.com.

 

Depending on what the Radiator guys tell me, I might just have to do that. Thanks John!

 

I'm getting one of these:

http://www.awrracing.com/pages/cooling.html

Pricey for sure... but I autocross, and it'll be the last rad I ever have to buy, lol

Jon

Edit: The main reason I decided to bite the bullet and buy the performance rad is because I had my stock rad completely re-cored and re-built last year. Less than a year later the core sprung a leak and the place doesn't want to take it back or fix it for free. Because of that my motor experienced the first overheat of its life around 190,000km. It's still running but has hit the "hot" line two or three times now and I'm really concerned. I know the kind of warpage that happens from overheating. Thankfully I was already planning to build another engine, just not for another year or two. In any case, if I get the rad now, and do the FC Oil Cooler with my new engine, I should never have to worry about this crap again.

 

I've heard wonderful things about the AWR radiators. Definitely the way to go.

 

WOW, $533 for a radiator!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

If you already have the air/oil style front mount cooler,just stick with that.Nothing beats a factory oil cooler,except 2 factory oil coolers.Still not a bad idea to have to cleaned and checked out.
They often will crack at the fittings and the hoses will fail on occasion.They are usually pretty gunked up under there,so clean the area first.If there is no sign of leakage or failure,Id leave it alone.Your likely to cause a leak or failure by disturbing the hoses and delicate cooler mounts, if you fiddle with it.

 

Yeah, I did that with my older rx-7 when I had to replace a front engine cover (where oil cooler pipe goes into front cover snapped in the middle of the road, hit something. The oil line was a hydralic 4000 psi line. (the prior one exploded open so I went crazy). Anywho as you know a 4000 psi(maybe less but was alot) line is VERY stiff... (No under engine cover + strong oil line) x bump = cracked front engine cover.

Luckily I noticed the oil psi drop right away... FOR THE SECOND TIME in 3 weeks! Anywho, had to take off the radiator, took out ac crap.. cleaned the 1/2" of greese/dirt/insects off the radiator, and boy did she run cool even on a hot day.

 

One advantage of the FC oil cooler on my '83. Since it is mounted in front of the rad and A/C condenser, I always blast it out when I am at the car wash.
But, yeah, cleaning the crud out of radiators and oil coolers is always a good thing. Doesn't matter how well water/oil can flow thru the inside, if air can't flow thru the outside.

 

hoses guys - you gotta replace all the hoses too! Esp heater hoses since these are often ignored, but if they pop, they'll cook the motor as easily as a rad hose! for SA owners, the rear heater hose that comes to the driver's side of the block, under the oil filter, is especially prone to failure due to oil damage over time...
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

Steve84GS TII, thanks for the information on the oil cooler.

I got my radiator back from the shop. Hooked it all up and took it for a test drive. Before I was sitting above half after driving hard. Now after a hard run, it sits below half. The guys at the shop told me it was one of the dirtier radiators they had ever worked on. That kinda scared me a little..lol