Just got home to find a trail of oil that followed me out the driveway. Look under the car, dripping rapidly from somewhere on the the mid left section of the engine bay (can't see where as the underneath engine cover is obscuring my view). It was 3/4 full this morning, I've done about 100kms on it, got home turned around did 5kms on it and came back. I don't believe it started leaking until the end of the day, but the stick now reads empty. It's a 86-TII, RHD. I'm in 2 minds whether to put 4 litres of oil in and limp it back to my mechanics or get a tow truck

Any one have any thoughts? I don't think i've cooked it (it was stil running fine on the way home, but didn't check the temp - no oil or temp lights lit up though).

 

probably a blown oil cooler hose

 

OIl cooler line. THis is a quick way to lose an engine. Rotaries are very dependent on oil supply, for cooling. Take away some of that, and oil temps skyrocket.

 

Thanks, fellas. That's the diagnosis I reached after looking through the work shop manual Didn't get any engine temp lights or low oil warning light, hopefully the verdict won't be too bad from the mechnic this morning.

 

the low oil sensor/sender tends to fail/get stuck with age, and you can not always trust that it works unless you test it at oil changes.

 

Just dropped it in at the mechanic's. It still has oil pressure when we put a couple of litres in and started it. The temp guages we're all ok, so fingers crossed it ain't too bad. But a good point about the sensor i've had a couple of other get stuck open/closed. Damm Oil Cooler lines only come in pairs and mazda one are $650 AUD a pair (doh), could go braided for another $100, but I just want it back on the road.

 

wow, $750 AUD for lines... I know thw exchange rate is bad, but its common to find SS lines for under $150 USD for the two up here.

 

Spare parts in oz works like this.

Every year they sit on a shelf add 50% to the price

 

Just thought I'd post an update.

Turn's out there is a reasonably good chance that the panel beaters that pulled my car apart put the oil cooler line in incorreclty, they'd mounted it with a twist and rubbing against the radiator. End result a nastly split. The good news is the rest of the car is ok. Least it only cost me an oil cooler line and not a rebuild

 

Before you plunk down the change for a OEM line, talk to a local hydrolics company. I have one here in the states that I work on computers for, and they were telling me that they should be able to hook me up for about 200 dollars (USD) or so for a set of the block-to-oil-cooler lines that mazda wants 600 a set for.. And these guys do the lines for fork lifts, cranes, dump trucks, etc.. so I know that these hoses are temperature and pressure resistant.

 

Hehehe....damn thats expensive! I know someone who works at a hydraulics company. I got all the lines I needed for about $30 USD. Look around before you blow all that cash.

-Joe

 

It was probably lower, I haven't asked about them in two years or so.. All I remember is hearing the recent price for mazda oem replacements, and being shocked at how high they were for simple hydrolic tubing..

edit: I was also asking about stainless steel, so I don't know if that affected my qoute/memory

 

most of the parts sellers here ship internationally, even with a 40.00 USD EMS charge, your looking at 240 USD for the best lines.

 

Mazdatrix's direct replacement braided SS oil cooler lines are US$155 (A$225) plus shipping. Beats OEM quality and price by a mile...