2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

Oil cooler lines, replace ?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 16, 2018 | 02:34 AM
  #1  
mwpayne's Avatar
Thread Starter
Admitted 'rexaholic'
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,235
Likes: 19
From: Seymour, TN
Oil cooler lines, replace ?

Hi guys, I have a bone stock 90 vert. The oil cooler lines are factory originals, no leaks no issues.
Should these be replaced just due to age (87k miles on car) or best leave them be?
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2018 | 05:32 AM
  #2  
mazdaverx713b's Avatar
Have RX-7, will restore
Veteran: Army
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (91)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 22,577
Likes: 1,273
From: Ohio
It can't hurt to replace them and their corresponding crush washers. However, I personally do not replace mine until I see signs of degradation. The oil cooler lines hold up for a long time. I've never personally had one completely fail. I've had a few start to get damp and I replaced the sets right away. The original oil cooler lines are quite expensive. In the neighborhood of about $400 for both lines from Mazda.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2018 | 06:26 AM
  #3  
Pete_89T2's Avatar
Rotorhead for life
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,195
Likes: 1,266
From: Elkton, MD
If you've already cleaned them up really good, and after driving for a bit there's zero evidence of any oil seepage/dampness/weeping anywhere, just leave them be. Like the other guy said, they last a long time and they rarely fail catastrophically by busting open - more likely the crimped on hose fitting loosens up, and oil starts seeping out.

As for replacement lines, Racing Beat, Mazdatrix and a few others sell SS braided line sets to replace the stock lines for less than what you'll pay for the OEM Mazda parts.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2018 | 08:39 AM
  #4  
Turbonut's Avatar
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 68
From: NJ
Back in 2015 while driving the '89 TII, the oil alarm went off, first time since I purchased new, pulled over and a stream of oil on the ground.
Had it flat-bedded home, oil cooling line burst and replaced both with OEM lines-$350.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2018 | 08:47 AM
  #5  
Akagis_white_comet's Avatar
Hey...Cut it out!
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,067
Likes: 309
From: St Louis, MO
If they're leaking, replace them. If not, let it be.

My car's original lines were fine and dandy at 99k when I began the 20B conversion. The bulk of the cost in converting to -10AN lines is in the adapters, mainly the special 90 degree one to clear the frame rail at the oil cooler. This is the route the Mazdatrix kit goes. Personally, $50 for an adapter fitting seems like a big investment when one could just move the oil cooler over about 1" with some simple flat brackets. That would create enough clearance to use a generic adapter and 90 degree hose end. Another option is a 18mm to -10AN banjo adapter. A quick check on ebay found them for $15-25. Shops like Jegs or Summit Racing would probably be similar in price.

As for hoses, any -10AN hose will do just fine. I have Jegs Push-loc hose on my car since it was easy to work with and relatively cheap. Aaron Cake used a similar type of hose on the Cosmo.
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2018 | 08:51 AM
  #6  
Pete_89T2's Avatar
Rotorhead for life
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,195
Likes: 1,266
From: Elkton, MD
Originally Posted by Turbonut
Back in 2015 while driving the '89 TII, the oil alarm went off, first time since I purchased new, pulled over and a stream of oil on the ground.
Had it flat-bedded home, oil cooling line burst and replaced both with OEM lines-$350.
Where was the burst point? I would bet it was at one of the hose crimp joints rather than somewhere in the middle of a line. Usually the crimp fittings start weeping a bit before they fail catastrophically. Easy to miss the warning signs though, especially for the fittings closest to the oil cooler, where they are more difficult to clean & visually inspect periodically.
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2018 | 12:51 PM
  #7  
Dak's Avatar
Dak
Information Regurgitator
Tenured Member: 25 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 208
From: Sparta TN. United States
I have the Rotary performance ones on my car. They are SS braided but have fitting like the stock ones. Had them 15 years or so with no problems.

https://www.rx7.com/store/rx7/fcoilcoolerlines.html
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2018 | 01:36 PM
  #8  
Hot_Dog's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,520
Likes: 231
From: Alexandria, VA
I also have the Rotary Performance braided SS lines on my 90 GXL. Have had them for about 16 years with no problems.
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2018 | 04:26 PM
  #9  
Turbonut's Avatar
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 68
From: NJ
Originally Posted by Pete_89T2
Where was the burst point? I would bet it was at one of the hose crimp joints rather than somewhere in the middle of a line. Usually the crimp fittings start weeping a bit before they fail catastrophically. Easy to miss the warning signs though, especially for the fittings closest to the oil cooler, where they are more difficult to clean & visually inspect periodically.
Actually it burst under the protective covering away from the fittings, but it was actually seeping for about 13 years before it burst. Sounds like a long time, but when the remanufactured engine was installed back in 2002, I believe they did some damage to the cooling line as there was no evidence of seepage before the engine change. Never any oil on the ground, but one could see wetness for years, but the car only used maybe 2k miles per year.

I do agree that if the seeping were investigated after first sighting, the hoses would have been replaced preventing the problem.
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2018 | 08:17 AM
  #10  
mazdaverx713b's Avatar
Have RX-7, will restore
Veteran: Army
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (91)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 22,577
Likes: 1,273
From: Ohio
Nice job pulling over in time when the oil level warning light came on. That could have gotten really ugly really quick.
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2018 | 04:07 PM
  #11  
Gabriel82's Avatar
xXxFC3SxXx
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 707
Likes: 25
From: Pomona CA
When I blew my motor I took advantage of the situation and replaced the lines with Racing Beat SS oil cooler lines. Oil and cooling are imperative for rotaries, I wanted piece of mind.
RB Oil Cooler Lines
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:16 AM.