Ok, so I was driving around a couple of weeks ago, pushing it kinda hard. Back roads, not a soul around, no side roads to worry about. Wheee! :D

Fast, no wheelspin takeoff from a stop, run to redline, BAM to second gear... BAM to third gear... BAM to fourth gear.... road curves about a mile ahead, slow down and downshift to third then second... engine brake through corner at about 6000RPM... crest the apex and power out... car sticks like GLUE (this is one of my favorite things to do!)... run to redline... BAM to third...

GOD I LOVE THIS CAR!!!

So then I get home and about an hour later, notice a little puddle of oil (about 1/4 cup or so) under the left front oil cooler. :(

To make a long story short, I took my '8 in to Mazda to have them diagnose the problem, which ONLY occurs when you run the car at high RPMs repeatedly. Turns out there was a pinhole in a hose that runs between the oil coolers and sprays oil up into the fan, blowing it EVERYwhere when you run the engine hard.

The main point of all this, which I thought everyone here might be interested in, is that THIS IS NEW A KNOWN PROBLEM to Mazda and THEY HAVE COME OUT WITH A REDESIGNED, STRONGER HOSE. Part is due in about 2 weeks. Till it gets here I have to take it easy and stay off redline. :(

So, if you run your car hard, keep an eye out for oil leaks. I'm sure a TSB will be released soon.

hmm... thanks, I'll keep an eye on it. I take mine to redline all the time, not a drop of oil in sight. I used to burn quite a bit of oil during break-in but that has seemed to level off. How many miles do you have on your car?

About 1250 when this occured.

About 2 months ago when I got my 8, I experienced a similar thing with my oil cooler hose/fitting. I saw about a half dollar size spot of oil under the drivers side oil cooler (auto's only have 1).

According to my invoice the dealer replaced the following:
2 N3G1-14-850 CONNECTOR, OIL COOLER
2 9956-21-800 GASKET
PERFORM EGI SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS

Car we left overnight since they did not have the parts in stock. According to the service rep, Mazda released a TSB regarding this issue. Seems they did not replace my hose, just the gasket and connector.

I only had about 180 miles on the car (owned it 5 days) when it happened to me and I was not pushing the car. Something for everyone to keep an eye on....

Kevin

Yes indeed. But according to my dealer, there is no TSB out on this yet, nor is one listed (as of today) on Finish Line's web site of all TSBs: http://www.finishlineperformance.com/rx8/docs/index.html

Originally posted by Omicron
Yes indeed. But according to my dealer, there is no TSB out on this yet, nor is one listed (as of today) on Finish Line's web site of all TSBs: http://www.finishlineperformance.com/rx8/docs/index.html

Hey Omicron,
Any update on this from your dealer? I just checked finishline and still nothing. Since your post on this was about two weeks ago, I thought I'd ask. :)
Thanks!

Spoke to them yesterday, ETA on the part is January 15th. :(

Great! Any idea on how far out the TSB is? How willing is Mazda going to be to swap it out? I mean, are we going to have to run the car REALLY hard, then take it in, (ensuring a leak to develop)? Or are they going to take our, (hahaha) word for it that it's leaking?
Sorry to hit you with so many questions...but inquiring minds wanna know!:D
-Doccable

No idea yet on whether or not there will be a TSB coming out on this. I suspect so, as Mazda has gone to all the trouble to design a new replacement part, but who knows. Most likely though they won't install it unless you can demonstrate a problem. Anyway, I'll find out more when the part comes in.

UPDATE: Got the call Thurs 1/8 that the part is in. I go in Monday to get it installed. I'll get the part number for y'all and post it here.

I had to replace my 2nd gen's oil cooler hose after about 10 years - I think the part cost me over $100. If they won't replace them upon request, at least have your service manager put it in your vehicle history report that you requested a replacement. That way, if it fails after warranty expires, they might cut you some slack. A customer-oriented dealer probably would.

Ok, the part came in, and it is indeed a new and improved piece. New part number is N3H6-14-840C. Old one was the same except ending in a "B" or N3H6-14-840B. You won't be able to have the dealership replace the hose unless you can demonstrate a problem, or unless you're willing to pay for it, of course.

And here's your Mazda trivia for the day: Mazda ends their parts numbers with a letter to designate which "generation" of part it is. So in the case of the oil cooler hose in question, the first generation hose woulda been N3H6-14-840A, second generation part would be N3H6-14-840B, and now they're on the third generation part, N3H6-14-840C.

As this part is in it's third generation, it sounds to me like they're having problems with it. Something to be aware of, and possibly to keep an eye on. It's pretty easy to see if you remove a few of the bolts holding the plastic cover/under shielding around the oil cooler and peel back the cover (the plastic is pretty flexible). The hoses are about 1.25" in diameter each (two per oil cooler) and are screwed into the oil coolers. I, for one, will be checking my hoses peroidically from now on.

That's really good to know! :) Thanks!

Thanks for the good info.

U guys are working over time on the good updates. Realy impressed.

Agreed! Thanks Much!

On the cooler lines, Rosenthal Mazda is saying that there isn't a TSB on it's way. It's in this thread (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=236674#post236674):( I haven't yet seen any spots under my 8, nor under the hood, or engine cover. but am a little concerned about having put two quarts in with just over 2100 miles. With having only needed one in the first 1200.
Anyone else experiencing this?

Hum ... I was just thinking about that as I never saw the resolutoin. Doesn't look like they ever did a TSB ... hum

Yeah, I noticed that the other day too. Since I have not had the problem reoccur, I haven't thought much about it.

My guess would be that this hose doesn't fail in all cars, hence no need for a TSB. But when it does, they just quietly put in the new, upgraded part.

Minor trivia: the letter suffix also changes if Mazda sources the same part from a different vendor.
________
Druze Dicussion (http://www.religionboard.org/druze/)

Best way for a TSB to get issued is consumers calling/e-mailing the NHTSA to let them know of these issues. If the NHTSA gets enough input from consumers they can DIRECT bulletins and/or recalls. www.nhtsa.gov

Food for thought...

As this part is in it's third generation, it sounds to me like they're having problems with it. Something to be aware of, and possibly to keep an eye on. It's pretty easy to see if you remove a few of the bolts holding the plastic cover/under shielding around the oil cooler and peel back the cover (the plastic is pretty flexible). The hoses are about 1.25" in diameter each (two per oil cooler) and are screwed into the oil coolers. I, for one, will be checking my hoses peroidically from now on.

Don't be fooled by superseded part numbers. They can be superseded for multiple reasons, different supplier, different color, different parts category. About 1 in 3 are for design changes in my experience, and some of those design changes can be to allow the part to be used commonly on multiple models, add a stamp of conformaty to some new regulation etc.etc.

If there is a TSB though, the part is definitely improved.