expo1

Not sure if this is a problem or something that 30,000 mile RX-8 can expect. I noticed what looked like brown, greasy streaks on the rims by the spokes and today I removed the plastic behind the oil coolers an noticed the drivers side cooler has oil over one of the hoses (see pics) the other pic is of the passenger side cooler. There are no drips in the driveway so if this is a leak could it only be happening when the car is running? Looking around the engine bay I also noticed oil under the intake box. I removed it and there was oil inside the box and under it. I know there are threads about oil in the intake box and will search those later. The intake just happens to be right over those oil cooler hoses, could the oil on the cooler hose be oil dripping from the intake box?


Drivers Side Oil Cooler

Passenger Side Cooler

Go48

I would suggest you take it into a dealer for service. Chances are a leaking oil cooler/line would be covered under one of those secret factory warranties that most manufacturers don't talk about but they will honor for certain critical items in a car.

my10ae

I had that same issue 8 days after getting the car. I'd have the dealer take care of it under warranty.

expo1

Hey are some photos of inside the air box and from under it. Those things inside the airbox are very small seeds, looks like some mouse used my 8 as a pantry.

Brice-RX8

First thing I would do is vaccum up all that trash in the bottom of the air box. It looks like you are getting a lot of oil blow by up into the intake track before cleaning all the oil up (proof) I would take it to the dealer and let them check it out. If they think it is fine I would clean it up and see if happens again.

expo1

Got my 8 back yesterday, they replaced the one hose in the first photo of my thread. The part number was N3H1-14-710A & the gaskets 9956-21-800. I looked through the old oil in the airbox threads and that part number is not the same as the ones in those threads, maybe it’s new? Anyway all is well; the tip off to this problem FYI is oily streaks on the front rims by the spokes.

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

That looks like bird seeds in your box...?

expo1

Yep it’s some kind of small seeds. I have an issue with field mice making a home in my garage in the wintertime. Knowing the route the mouse would have to take to get there I was kind of shocked. After the wife found a mouse in her automotive coffee cup I purchased an electric mousetrap and killed about five mice in a week or two. So that mouse never got to raid his lighting yellow pantry.

pcimino

There's a great read in the latest (Sept 05) Road & Track on page 38 "Vermin of the Dashboard". Peter Egan talks about finding wasp nests, mice infestations and black widow spiders in his project cars. He was amazed at how deep and difficult to reach spaces some of these animals would burrow. He also discusses what types of cars mice seem to like, and which cars they chew the wiring.

droppedrx8

iTrader: (2)

Bringing this thread back to life. My 8 just started leaking out of same spot. I cleaned all the oil up and took it for a drive when i got back home thier was oil leaking out of the line pictured above. It was not a lot. Has anyone replaced this line by them selves? Might be a job for the dealer/shop.

Razz1

Try tightening it first.

droppedrx8

iTrader: (2)

Yeah i will give that a shot this weekend.

skrubol

iTrader: (1)

Anyone know how much of the hose that part number is? I've got a pretty bad leak in the same hose, it's on the rigid part where it goes through that mounting bracket that holds the 2 hoses.
Mine is very rusty though (80k on an '04 in New England.) I think there is actually a hole in the tubing because of so much rust.
Maybe I'll take a pic when I get the part and replace it.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

I just yanked mine off, After a few days when i make sure my new setup is working I could sell you mine. But that whole piece come out together so it is a bitch to get out.

skrubol

iTrader: (1)

I've actually already got one on order. Hope to fix it this week.
Thanks for the offer though.

skrubol

iTrader: (1)

Argh, got the wrong part... The N3H1-14-710A part is the hose with the large hex fitting on it. The one I need connects to the drivers side cooler.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Picture?

skrubol

iTrader: (1)

No picture.. I'll try and take a few tomorrow or Fri. when I take the wheel off.
I may attempt to repair the part (doubt it will work, but maybe slow it down until I can get the replacement.)
I think the part I need is $230 from Montgomery Mazda.. Their part illustrations are down right now, so I can't confirm yet.

VOODOO8

You might want to check this thread out before you do anything with rusted oil cooler fittings: https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/rusted-oil-cooler-fittings-183281/

skrubol

iTrader: (1)

Thanks Voodoo8, but a bit late for me. I took Friday off, so pulled it all apart again Thu. The coupling between hose sections seemed completely welded together by rust (I couldn't get the less rusted apart, didn't try the more rusted one.) So I cut apart the bracket that holds the lines that go directly to the cooler, and pulled out the lower line as well as the line that goes to the engine (banjo bolts on both ends.) I went at the leaking part with a steel brush and brake cleaner until all the rust was gone, and a pinhole was clearly visible. Put a glob of JB Weld on there, let set overnight and reinstalled Friday. Seems to work so far, but who knows how long it'll last.

gfschoone

i'm looking for as much info as i can get. 76k on a 2004 MT, with no problem, so can't complain, but the oil cooler/hoses are leaking, and the repair was nearly 2600, complained and got it down to 2000. that's still too steep; sent a message to voodoo8 a day or two ago, think he got out of paying for this repair due to the recall in canada; is there any way i can get mazda to pay for at least some of this? it's poor design that allowed the elements to get to the hoses/lines, which is the way the canadian govenment saw it. no go with a recall in the usa.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Cheaper to just buy the RB oil line kit or get fittings and lines your self. I have a full set of lines and coolers, I need to take pics and post them up.

gfschoone

thanks for the reply. unfortunately i am not one to work on this car at all, i leave it to the dealer. let me ask you something - the 8 hasn't run in a while (actually 3 mos, though, i could start it if the engine would hold oil), and the dealer didn't run it , just assumed all 6 lines were leaky and shot. They advised against me just replacing the oil cooler itself and not replacing 6 lines at 200 per line. is there any possibility that replacing the cooler itself could remedy this.

expo1

Only if the leak is coming from the cooler and NOT the lines. Where again are the leaks? Since the repair of my leak I have not had an issue. Strange that the 2nd line laster much longer than the first.
I highly doubt your going to get Mazda to fix this issue on an out of warranty car. As far as for the repair going with the Racing Beat part will both be cheaper and better than going with the OEM lines. The labor would be the same so if buy the parts and let the dealer install it. Since this will be a cash transaction I see no reason for the dealer not to do this job.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

There is no reason to believe all the lines are leaking and quit frankly That would be pretty crazy for that to happen. It has to be leaking somewhere and it should be obvious but if your unable to check yourself then you are kind of screwed unless you know someone who is mechanically inclined with a brain. This is not rocket science, look at the pic above, oil line leaks are pretty obvious to spot.