I have an 88 N/A with a pretty good oil leak. I think I've pinpointed it to either the oil cooler, or the oil cooler lines. I can pressure test the cooler, so if that's the problem, I can cross that bridge when I come to it, but I don't feel like taking it all apart if I don't at least have a new line kit on my bench. I figure the lines are the cheaper of the two options, and the car being as old as it is, this is as good an opportunity to replace them as any.

My question: what are the benefits, if any or the lineset with the AN fittings vs. the standard banjo fitting? Also, FNF aside, what are the benefits of the braided stainles vs. stock rubber(which I'm assuming has, at least, braided nylon under the skin)?

Thanks

 

Where exactly is the oil dripping? I had a nice sized leak when my eshaft bolt was screwed up, thus not sealign it properly. It left a nice spot under the pulley assembly and sprayed oil all over the front of my bay. If its not that then you have a possibly easier fix, just my $0.02 and opinion

 

well... it soaks the right side of my engine bay... already had the car on the hoist and pulled my shield down... can see oil all over the lines, but the junction where the lines meet the cooler is the lowest spot and so thats where it drips/pools off of. I was in a rush, so I didn't have time to look at it while running.

 

Well....id top off the oil, pull that shield away (again possibly if you put it back) and start her up to check, also watch the oil pressure too. I noticed significant improvement with my leak gone.

 

I have a oil cooler I'll sell from ym FB I think theya re the same size
just shoot me a PM if intrested!

 

Okay, i had the EXACT same problem. I've got oil everywhere inside of my engine bay basically, so i couldn't figure it out. My problem was the oil lines: they're 18 years old! Apparently the weather just got to them. I replaced my oil cooler while i was at it just cuz mine was in pretty rough shape, but for the lines, you can either get some from mazdatrix.com, racingbeat, or just bring your old ones in to a local hydraulic shop and get some made for you. mazdatrix ss lines are like 160 or something and the RB ones are about 200, i got mine for 150. : )

 

Well... thats the thing: Even if its just the cooler leaking...I figure I'll change the lines, too, because they're so old... but which lines are better? AN fittings or standard Banjo style? Braided stainless or standard? and why?

 

I havent found that out yet, i just put them on yesterday LOL! But i kept my banjos, had them tapped to new adapters and stuff. i'm sure braided steel is better but i just got some random high pressure hydraulic hose.

 

But i guess to answer your question i have no idea which fittings are better, probably either one is fine. My setup actually uses both types, kindof a struggle to bend them into place, but no leaks whatsoever.

 

thanks for the input...any other opinions?

 

Simplest and cheapest is to find a good hydraulic shop and have them replace the soft parts of the lines. Make sure they have them clocked the same. New crush washers are a must. There is nothing wrong with the oem setup with the banjo bolts, unless you are looking to dress up your engine bay a bit. If so, go with the Mazdatrix premade lines.

Btw, an FB oil cooler is not a bolt in for an FC and a down grade. The bungs on the FB coolers are prone to cracking.

 

don't go with an AN style setup, that's what i did and i couldn't get the fittings to clear some stuff.

with the 90 degree AN fitting coming off the side of the cooler, it sticks out way too far and i think i had an issue with the AN fitting coming off the top of the cooler as well. and since i already had all the fittings and 10' of -10 line, i just mounted my oil cooler to the front bumper. it works for the oil cooler but now i'm restricting air to the radiator. either way you do it, be careful as to how you route the lines past the radiator, keep them away from the edges of anything. i have a leaky line because one of them was rubbing on the edge of the radiator bracket.

 

AN fittings look nice and flow easier than the stock banjo bolts, but as fstrnyou said they tend to cause clearance issues, as for stainless vs stock replacement, that depends on you and how much you want to spend.

 

I got about 180K out of my stock oil lines. They did go bad. A leak that was hard to figure out which one it was. Dealer lines are expensive. I do recomend the set from Mazdatrix, I got the two lines for 150. That's cheaper than one hose from the dealer. They've been great. Like they said above, make sure they clear. Use the old bracket with the rubber gromet so the lines don't rub or bounce around.