Oil Cooler Flushing: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Mazda 6. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE:

The contaminated cooler line (oil pipes and hoses) and auxiliary cooler must be flushed completely when ATX is overhauled or replaced.

Remove the two oil cooler line hoses and apply air pressure of 196 kPa (2.0 kgf/cm ² , 28 psi) from the return hose (pipe) side.
CAUTION:
- Power flushing should be performed very carefully when removing the accumulated debris from the fluid baffle, otherwise the debris cannot be removed or the problem becomes even worse.
If there is no air blown out the feed side, flush the oil cooler lines using the power-flushing tool. (See POWER FLUSHING )

Fig 1: Recommended Power-Flushing Manufacturers
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

Fig 2: Identifying Feed Side And Return Side Of Oil Cooler
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
If there is ventilation, carry out the following steps.
(1) Remove the oil pan and inspect the fluid filter element from the front filter.

(2) If the element is covered with too much debris or particles and cannot be seen, replace the oil cooler. (See OIL COOLER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (See OIL COOLER DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY .)

(3) If the element can be seen, flush the oil cooler lines using the power-flushing tool.
- Performing back and reverse power flushing two times each does not work because debris or particles flow out from the feed pipe side of ATX.

Fig 3: Identifying Fluid Element

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.