oil cooler question
 

for some reason I can only now post in New Member Forum. all other forums give me a failure saying I don't have rights to do so. perhaps it was due to me being inactive for over a year?

anyhow, the reason I am actually posting is that I just got a call from my local Mazda dealership and I need 2 new engine oil cooler hoses and the engine oil cooler itself. they quoted me $400 for the hoses, $700 for the cooler, and $200 in labor. am I missing something here? JCWhitney and Amazon have this kit including all zipties, rubber washers, c-clamps, hoses, and the cooler for only $172 with free shipping. it SAYS this version will fit my model ('04 MT). if anyone knows if this in fact will work on our cars (I did search with no results found!), I would love to be able to save $900 in parts. thanks in advance!

3953 model:
Amazon:
JCWhitney: Flex-A-Lite Flexalite Oil Cooler - JCWhitney

3951 model (even a bit cheaper):
Amazon:

See the announcement at the top of the new member subforum. It has instructions if you should be able to create threads elsewhere, but can't. I'll move this to tech.

Yes, the OEM oil cooler line costs are one of the moderately absurdly priced items from a dealer. I recommend not going through a dealer. Mazmart should be able to get you a better price, or crawl through part out threads. Several going on right now.


I expect other lines like that could work, but you will have to make sure you won't have any problems with incorrect fittings and such.

None of those kits will work. You will need AN lines if you do not go OEM, and external Tstat, and the oil cooler itself (one that is the same dimensions).

If your looking for a cheap fix, find a part out thread, if not I do recommend Scott's kit at Rx8performance (can't post a link) but it is a great kit and what I have in my own car!

Keep in mind this is an involved install, as the block need to be torn down a fair amount in order to remove the rear Iron oil line, I managed mine in 2-3 hours, someone who has little experience be ready to spend at least a day maybe 2 doing this job.

off to see if I can find one in the part-out it is then. if no one currently has one, I found the one that you referenced, Carbon. and even that performance one saves me $200 off the OEM that my local Mazda dealership quoted me.

More so, what was the reasoning behind why you need the system replaced?

dealership called when they were getting ready to pull it in the garage for some work and stepped out of the car and oil was pouring from driver's side front panel. shut it off immediately to prevent oil damage. upon investigation the hoses are completely separated from the cooler itself and both need replacement. I just got the call about an hour ago, so haven't actually inspected it, but states both hoses and cooler definitely all have to be replaced.

--edit: seems a bit shady for me as it happens while there, but what ya gonna do... was there to actually investigate why it was stalling when coming to an immediate stop, and/or when idling after being brought to temp. if not stalling, it would idle around 500-750rpms, instead of the usual around 1000. I cleaned MAF sensor, EC sensor, and throttle body. to no such luck. I also replaced the battery (didn't think it would resolve it, but there was a lot of corrosion on the terminals and top of the battery and was 4.5yrs old). during Mazda's investigation into my issue with that, they are showing that the battery isn't giving out enough of a charge and is causing the stall. doesn't make sense since the battery is 9 years old today. but said it is possible right from manuf. that it does have a bad cell. they went to pull in for an oil change since it is needed in next 250miles anyhow, just do it and get it done with. when getting ready to pull into the garage for that is when all of this happened.

Ok, thats one cooler and two very short hoses.

This is the entire oil cooling system

http://imageshack.us/a/img844/4821/l4cl.jpg

The drivers cooler is located in the bottom right, as you can see it has two flexible small lines coming off it, sounds like you just need to replace one cooler and those small lines.

correct. just the one is needed. but I can get BOTH from rx8perf for $899, while they are charging me $1100 JUST IN PARTS for 2 hoses and 1 cooler.

Yes, you can.

Im just not sure of your mechanical experience is all so I was talking about the easiest route.

I personally love my kit, and will always recommend it.

i am not. but there is a foreign car local shop here in the greater Lansing area that will install 3rd party parts.