So, my 88 RX7 was leaking bad, but I couldn't get to the source and needed to get an inspection done, so I took it to a mechanic.

After a day or so they were able to pinpoint the leak coming from a pressurized hose, which he said is the engine oil cooler hose. Once it gets up to pressure it leaks like a faucet.

I do believe he grossly overstated the price. He says a new factory hose is hundreds of dollars, and that aftermarket hoses only use regular hose clamps and that's a bad idea for this high pressure line.

My question, fellow RX7 owners, is is this really that expensive of a hose? Can I really not use an aftermarket hose? Is this an easy repair I can do myself?

Thanks in advance.

 

Hello,

those oil coooler lines are prone for leaking after all those years. It is generally recommended to replace the old OEM lines with aftermarket ones.

Racingbeat sells the AN lines for about 245 bucks. Oil Line Set for 1986-92 RX-7 All - Racing Beat
You might require 1 or 2 additional fittings as stated on the racingbeat site for the hoses to hook up to the engine.

The stock lines are pretty expensive, Mazdatrix still carries them: https://www.mazdatrix.com/vehicle-ye...cooling-system
I run the Racing beat AN lines and they are awesome.

If you are able to do some basic mechanical work on your car, then you can replace them yourself. Just make sure to not over tighten the lines or fittings. I recommend using a socked instead of a wrench to remove the banjo bolts on the oil cooler that hold the OEM lines. Also keep in mind that the oil cooler and lines still hold oil, even with a drained oil pan!

Edit: The replacing of the hoses is pretty straightforward. 1 fitting goes on the rear plate (oil return) and 1 goes on the front cover (oil feed to the cooler). Those fittings should have some washers included to make a good seal.

 

I saw a pretty comprehensive guide archived here too. Probably gonna go with the racing beat ones.

 

I havent come across an better lines than the RB ones.

Tip: I recommend loosening the lines on the engine side and then just unbolt the oil cooler and take it out from below. This way you can clean the cooler too and fit the lines easily and put it back together and tighten them. It is also possible to remove the lines on the car, but I feel unbolting the cooler and just taking it out is the cleaner method. The cooler is only hold on by 2 or 4 nuts anyways.

 

I and many others are partial to the Corksport lines, as they use OEM style banjo fittings.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/corkspo...nes.html%3famp

 

Besides learning two sources of high quality replacement hoses, you've also learned your mechanic is not very good.
I'd avoid him/her/them in future.

 

As you probably know by know, he's right with the price. I replaced both with the OEM hoses a couple years ago @ $350.
Another problem, if that hose let's go it will pump all the oil out very quickly.

 

Racing beat. Mazda trix. Atkins.

Have fun. Easy to change.

-M

 

When I replaced my engine in 2002, I used Mazda Motor Sports SS Braided Oil Cooler lines p/n 0000-01-7602.

 

You can also take a look at Stu Kelly Motorsports. Do your due diligence though, because they are relatively new to me, but I did order something about a week ago.