While offering assistance to change the oil in my friend's RX-8, we noticed a simple way to drain the oil out of the oil coolers during an oil change. Instead of lowering each side of the car to help drain additional oil, we used a 7/8 in. wrench and remove each oil cooler
thermostat.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEMdwAJ71XtxYRj9JaxdHIJ9kt6z_YQKtEGQRVcd-7iVkpRkxGg1ES-1De5Sl0ljYEEqRoCl70yzwMzGkuBuyYl8cpJVeemmpJEMrk4ow3knp3D-0di6_UjnIDfwYod7U9blwAyDvPRUn/s320/oil_cooler.jpg) |
Oil Cooler Thermostat |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VEtWpKgyOdoVlxHw7JYvQF1euqNw5JGtH3ZWdLbVpTxpooRXLiSUfL1XII-Kc9XYBVSuqRYxOUtovO0FKjMqe5lV3asF8YQb28oawUWeO3nQWV8VKbe35ybe4wW-IHTr3X21UMC9Ypv9/s320/oil_cooler_draining.jpg) |
Draining the oil directly from the cooler
The oil cooler thermostats serve the same function as your cooling thermostat. Oil is sent through the oil coolers only when it reaches a certain temperature - just like coolant through your radiator. This allows your oil temperature to be controlled, just like your coolant temperature.
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2bBe49BUy1ZOMhgSsCpUqF15zAgbFENEwZ8NF-l0hUwbBciM-BtrqXJI3oT5z2VF0JmycWPPI38pvTl1TDmjEt1ZmvG2V4qjFirWHekDqjMpiaebSmhdxBk1ufyBMeERT8gY3l6uISA1/s320/dirty_oil.jpg) |
The oil drained from the cooler |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6SfjZfnfi-UXJVNH7cR7EFbsybhl5GENFLhWjysMbXz-8BLFrMqCnI2o-R7n0Kz2Tv4cK76YK23_bbeQ4L7kBS-Zji6wRS98zxDrujS7CLF1hU8R4Jx7bdWiDiRHD6jrEKctzdUO26XV/s320/oil_cooler_thermostat.jpg) |
Oil Cooler Thermostat |
By draining the additional oil from the oil coolers, one can obtain a more thorough oil change. A full 5.1 qt container of new oil left the car with it's dipstick right in the middle after a few engine cycles. Give a try next oil change.
great tip
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