Mage

Since my engine Blow I've been cleaning my engine bay out and I found that there is no oil going throught the oil cooler. so I had it tested and it's cloged really bad. so my question is this: how much is a replacement? will a stock one from a 88 GXL work (if it's good) or if it's bad/will not work Would it be cheaper to get a aftermarket one?


Thanks.

Mage.

Wankel7

There is a thermostat inside the oilcooler. It does not allow any fluid to pass until it has heated the thermostat to 140°F.

There is a large plug in the bottom of the oil cooler. Remove this and the tstat comes out.

James

Wankel7

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ght=oil+cooler

Also, keep that thread in mind if you do flush it your self.

James

Mage

thanks for the info one question though, when we took the engine out and dissconnected the oild cooler no oil was in the lines is this normal?


thank
Mage.

Aaron Cake

iTrader: (1)

Yes, it is fairly normal for no oil to be present in the lines if the car has not been run for a while.

If you do decide to eliminate the thermostat, please keep in mind that you need to plug the bypass hole in the end tank. When the thermostat warms up, it CLOSES that hole. If you just remove the thermostat and don't plug the hole, oil will never flow through the cooler....

Also, I find it impossible to believe that your oil cooler was clogged. ALL the engine oil flows through the cooler. If it was clogged, the engine would receive no oil and seize in a short time.

Mage

from what we can tell the rear apex seal blow and when looking in the oil there was metal and colent in it.

dont know I'm not to good with cars my self I'm a computer guy but I tust what my father tells me about basic engine stuff since he been working on the for 20+ years (though not or rotory the basics are same.)

I might bring up the fact that is't blocked off untell it's hot they just did a flow test in it ie. ran presserized oil through it and got nothing (this is at a rad shop that does this type of thing) they did say something about mud hehe anyway thanks for the info I'll have them look at it again or I'll just take it apart my self and look tonight


Mage.

Aaron Cake

iTrader: (1)

It is possible that you had some horrible internal failure (oil pump shattered, etc.) which clogged the cooler. I did not know that your engine was not operational when you posted originally. However, I still find it VERY hard to believe the cooler will be plugged. The oil passages inside are quite wide, and there are a number of them that flow in parallel. You would need an aweful amount of trash in there to clog it.

Finding metal and coolant in the oil is not a normal thing. The only way coolant and oil could mix in a rotary is if one of the o-rings blew out externally at the bottom of the engine. Can't say I've ever seen (or even heard) of this happening. An apex seal failure also won't cause metal chunks to enter the oil...So it sounds like you may have larger problems.

Mage

ya it sucks. 0-0-0 on the back 0-20-30 on the front (from the shop we took it to) car was making a binging sound when I parked it last to check it out ah well 1 less thing to worry about. off to work on the car now thanks for the info!


Mage

Wankel7

I would avoid a radiator shop for your oil cooler. I would believe it would be safe to say they do not get oil coolers thru there. Unless they REALLY do clean oil coolers. If you dont see oil coolers around the shop. I would assume they don't. Also, them NOT knowing about a thermostat from the begining is a mark against them.

If you found metal in your oil I would HIGHLY recommend sending / or taking your oil cooler to some place that services aircraft oil coolers. Yes, it will be more expensive. However, you will know your cooler is metal free. Most piston engines in planes are air cooled. So, there are a lot of oil coolers running around there.

James

Rxmfn7

iTrader: (4)

You can pick up a good condition used oil cooler and lines for < $40. Id go that route if I were you..

Mage

the place does work on oil coolers Lot's around plus he does aftermarket stuff vary nice guy. prob does know but like I said I'm just takeing there word for now I'll be looking at it my self here soon thanks for the tip about the aircraft thing do yo know of anyplace close to morgantown wv that does that if I go that route?


Mage.

Wankel7

I will take a look for you.

James

Mage

thanks wankel7.

Rxmfn7: I have a 88 GXl that has one so it should be good if I go that route else I'll find a good used one $40 is in my price range.

thanks again

Mage.