My OIL Coolers after 22K Miles
 

A member PM's me and asked about how my two Oil Coolers were looking and coping..after about 22,000 Miles.

So here they are...

The 3 Tools I use are also included, one a modified set of pointy nose pliers, a small adjusted metal paper clip wire with a small hook at the end to dig bugs and stones out and a pointed Cooking Stick used to reform any bended fins, the pliers also help straighten any badly damaged fins.

I would spend about 5 minutes on each cooler every month or so...

One can stick (where the sun don't shine) the so called off the shelf Fin Tools as they are crap, have not found one that I think does any good, IMO the few I have tried are awkward and do more deforming than cleaning and reshaping.

My way is not hard at all, they almost look new..:cwm27:

https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1295488509

https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1295488509

https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1295488509

OH ..and I don't use any mesh covers for the fronts..

i always like to see people who spend the time on the little things with their car. Nicely done Ash!

So wouldn't this be a good lesson to do so?

Possibly, But I have not found the need (my first two years prove so) and IMO I don't want to restrict or slow front air flow, which again IMO all that I have seen screens do.

But hey if you drive constantly on poor loose surfaces or dirt roads and follow other cars (tailgate..which is sometimes unavoidable) close, then I guess they would help.

Mazda did installed a very wide mesh over Series II Hydrogen Model Coolers, but the mesh is so wide (like the small OEM Condenser/Radiator one ) that it wont stop small stones or bugs from damaging or bending OC fins.

Where I am Insect do just about as much damage as small stones, some bugs and bees actually bend over the alloy fins!.

But hey, I am not dissing on those who do use screens...I seems everyone has to defend their stance or opinion in micro detail.

I was asked a question (not the first time on coolers ) so I posted details...

I do mostly highway driving (80 mph) so the small rocks and bees (Damn them) so a lot of damage to the oil cooler fins.

Yeah, the bugs and bees tend to do more damage than the small rocks, I've gotten 3-4 bent by one thing.

The mesh doesn't affect cooling Ash, at least i haven't noticed it with my gauges :)

Wow you must be getting pretty good at this! I fixed/cleaned mine last night before installing screens and it took 3+ hours just to fix all the fins! I was pretty anal about it though :lol:

I live in pretty extreme temperatures here in Phoenix so I guess we'll see if the screens have a negative impact on cooling when the summer rolls around.

I am going to have to cut the plastics in the fender wells to let the coolers breathe better.

Boy you got that right. Picked up a fin tool and got so frustrated I just tossed it. I use very similar tools to yours. It definitely helps.

Doing your fender well mod before summer.

Not even going to go there G, naturally so much depends on what mesh, it's flow rate, to suggest there is not restriction is totally incorrect, All mesh has some restriction to not have any, it has to, think about it.

Here, Mesh is not only sold as a pattern, size, but also Air flow rate, 40-50-70-80% and , so the very best you can get is 95%, that is the mesh the factory uses on the small OEM Condenser/Radiator Mesh lower protector (not all markets).

I had this "argument" years ago, when I think Racing Beat or whoever was selling these Cooler Meshes back in 2004-5, they were all Aluminum plate with 4mm round holes, looked like a 34-40% air flow...sorry, would not use them in a fit.;)

You're right talking about their flow restriction etc but one thing are the numbers, another thing is how they perform in a real-life environment!
I have the usual 55% mesh grille and the difference is less than noticeable :)
My car still overcools in winter while highway driving and still doesn't run any hotter than 95°c when tracking, same as before!
I even had to ghetto tape one of the coolers while crossing switzerland this summer!

Mine look like the moons cratered surface.
very nice maintanence there mate!

Yes G,
And if you want to get that technical how well do temps recover in stop start traffic say during summer?, IF air flow is restricted by any % then the ability to COOL is also restricted, so recovery time IF one is experiencing 'Too Hot' is also longer, it has to be with 45% of Coolers covered.

One would think at constant speeds Oil Temps would stabilize, but they may/will take longer also.

But yeah, I don't have Oil Temp Dials, but, my Butt Dyno is telling me my Oil is not getting hot enough 'at times', IMO the newer S2 system is perhaps a little too efficient.

We are having WILD changing weather temps here (middle of Summer), I am running same tank fuel, driving same routes each day, MY Renny certainly prefers the cooler Air Intake Temps not more than around 28C (82F), once over 30 (86) with T-Body "Heater" there is definitely a slight performance lag in higher RPM.

Same expressway, recently had a 5c degree fall in Air Temp (INSTANTLY) to 25 (77) and my Butt Dyno says my Renny likes it, so over the years I definitely conclude there is a sweeter spot when it comes to outside air temps and that is between 20(68) and 25 (77)...again with TB Coolant ON.

My compression (although not measured ) either when HOT or Cold appear as good as new, car starts instantly within 0.5-1 second...I am amazed in fact at how well it does fire up, I guess using a good pre-mix since new (Amsoil S P) "helps".

U guys knew all that...me drivvling..again..

WHATEVeR :)

;)

Totally OFF topic, at a friends place last night, (yes I have one or two) and his missus was watching OPRAH Ultimate Australian Adventure she did here recently, Anyone there seen it in US??, WAY Too many excited people..

Was feeling ill after 5 minutes...had to leave room.

A powerful Lady...WOT!

^ :lol: Oprah is the epitome of a lot of what is wrong in this country. But you have to take the good with the bad.

Obama should kiss her feet every morning. :cuddle:

You can talk in °C Ash, i will understand even better lol!
Transition times are pretty much the same, especially after i have cut my wheel well cooler openings.
I guess that this is one of the things that varies from use to use, climate to climate etc =\
Unfortunately we get mixed weather all over the country here so my testing environment is pretty limited, lacking of good stretches of the same climate.

C is much easier G, glad Australia converted to Metric back in the 1970's, WAY more better than Imperial or US measurements, metric ANY day..

Can't understand why the US has not converted, Would cost a lot, but do it gradually, it can be done., much easier when everything is in multiples of 10, 100, 1000 etc, weight, fluid, temps.

Great G, the Rear plastic shield Mod is a must IMO, particularly Summer, this Summer here in my state (Where Kangaroo Island is on Oprah, I am about 10 Kilometre from there as crow flies.) has been SO Mild , I have not changed my rear mesh liners over to Summer still on Winter OEM ones.;)

yes the US is run more by media than any other country I think. Its a dang shame.
Knee jerk reactions and what looks good in the media.

Metric?--I do know I am tired of having to have 2 sets of tools!

I call her "Okra"

I found that a plastic toothpick worked pretty well before I got my screens.
Oh...and I run RB screens, and "no, I'm not getting in the airflow/temp conversation you and "G" got going". :)


That reminds me though...............when you got a second, look at my latest post in my "Coolant Bottle Secrets" thread.

What is the rear shield mod? Thanks.