sciachir

One of the issues regarding my loss of oil was addressed and fixed in the other post.

BUT, the bigger issue is that the gasket in the oil cooler housing (right above the oil filter) is causing the most of my leak.

Has anyone replaced one of these? From my understanding, this is a major job. If anyone has, how long did it take? I'm trying to get an idea of how much this might cost.

 

sleeprlegendcp

If you have the Hayne's check page 3-7. You should see the "Oil Cooler - Removal and Installation" on that page. On the next page it shows a picture of a special gasket that Legends use. I believe this is the right part. From this discription it seems pretty easy.
Later!
Lee

__________________
National Acura Legend Meet 2008 - 4th of July - Chattanooga, TN - Click Here!

sciachir

I agree that by looking at the Haynes manual it looks really simple, but I know I read somewhere (and he also told me) that you have to remove a bunch of belts, including the alternator belt, to get to it. I think you also have to remove the coolant reservoir because it sits under it.

pnoye2

Not too difficult to do... I think there was a thread for "Oil Cooler Coversion" or some sort not too long ago and it was explained in details and suggestions on how to do the job.

Although replacing oil cooler coolant hoses are a pain in the behind but everything else should be ez... good luck!

sciachir

If you are referring to LBA, I haven't seen him post anything on here for awhile, so I sent him an email.

My question to anyone that can answer, is if you can get to the gasket by removing the tire, or if you have to remove things from above it (inside the engine compartment)? My mechanic thinks he has to remove a bunch of belts, but nobody mentions having to do that from all the posts I've read for the past 2 hours!

Goofball

I just did this last night. I also replaced the two hoses that the coolant runs through to the cooler. It was the hardest job I ever did on my legend. It wasn't difficult to do, there was just not enough access. I chose not to remove any belts or the reserve tank. You have to remove the wheel. Access is very tight. Maybe it would have been easier if I had removed the reserve tank. Don't know.

Getting the old hoses off was the hardest part. Mine were so brittle that I just broke them off and then had to fight to get the clamps off and then clean the old hose off the pipes coming out of the block. Getting the hoses back on the cooler unit wasn't a piece of cake either. I had to put a vice grip lightly on the hose so I could hold on to it enough to push the cooler ends into the hoses. I had to use grease on the ends. It took me 2.5 hours.

pnoye2

Typical mentality of a repair service personnel IMO... almost all of them go by the book, I know I was back in the days because most auto repair shop owners give them a cut (percentage) of the total job costs and that's how most mechanics get compensated, on top of their hourly rate of course.

sciachir, it's how you prefer on getting it done, as Goofball mentioned it is really a tight space in there but if you can manage to do this job without removing other parts then go with this approach... with proper tools and x'tra time in your hand, it can be done. good luck!

sciachir

The mechanic that is working on the car has started a new business out of his home, so he is not charging dealership prices I just don't think he's ever replaced this gasket before. He said he used to work for Acura, tho. I wouldnt' even attempt to do this.

It was also mentioned in several posts about having to replace the cooling lines. I want to be prepared in advance. Our local dealership doesn't have crap in stock. I've heard you can use regular heater hoses. Does anyone know the diameter of these hoses? Some say they think they are 5/8". Sunnyside said that the clip is 1.87mm. I don't know how to convert this to inches..

chuckee98

I used OEM hoses, because it was just easier rather than fighting to get a generic hose to make a sharp angled turn. (Though, if I remember correctly, one of the hoses is just a short straight piece.) It also was a no brainer because I ordered all the other coolant hoses while I was at it, so two additional OEM hoses didn't make any difference.

It's easiest if you pull the wheel to get to the oil cooler, and drop the splash shield. You don't need to remove the shield, just undo enough attachment hardware so that the shield can drop down in the back so you can get to the oil cooler - it can hang from the front. I used a combination of needlenose pliers and channel locks to loosen and slide the clips down from the nipples. Then just slice the end of the hose lengthwise on the nipple, and twist, and they'll pop right off. Lube the inside of the new hose with some WD-40 (spray some on your pinky finger, and coat the end of the new hose) so that it'll twist right on.

chuckee98

Eh, come to think of it, I struggled a bit with the back hose. Had to get to the hose clamp from the top, between the firewall and the engine. It's easier if you unclip the O2 sensor harness, and the other one next to it, and move them out of the way - then you can see the hose clamp. It'll also make your life a whole lot easier if you have a mini-needlenose pliers to get to that clamp - I used my Leatherman Squirt P4 because nothing else would fit in there.

bsubvrsv

I did this on my 89 sedan, because one of the hoses broke, and the other was about as sturdy as crumb cake. It was a pain in the arse, but, mostly, as has been stated previously, just because of the limited amount of access.

I did it to my 87 coupe when I changed from the canister type filter and housing to a regular "standard" type filter system. The job was fairly easy, in and of itself. The access issue was still the most deterring issue. If I had thought about it, I would have gotten OEM hoses. Instead, I just got a 3' section of hose from AutoZone and used that, cut to length.

Unless your mechanic is going to give you a really good price, do it yourself. It will be ALOT cheaper, and, you'll know more of what's going on yourself should you ever have to do it again. Good luck.
jessie

__________________
89 Legend L 4dr Charcoal grey
Soon to be stripped.
87 L Coupe, gold
Soon to be refurbed

Rest In Peace, Sunshine. Daddy Loves You.

cwalsh

where did everyone get the gasket from? Was it the double O-Ring one?

bsubvrsv

I used RTV silicone.

__________________
89 Legend L 4dr Charcoal grey
Soon to be stripped.
87 L Coupe, gold
Soon to be refurbed

Rest In Peace, Sunshine. Daddy Loves You.

sciachir

Got mine all done! The mechanic only charged me $70 to do it, too! The stealership charged me $24 for this lousy gasket. Of course, they are the only dealer in the entire state, so they can get away with it.

cwalsh.. the only place you can get this "figure 8" gasket is from the dealer. It is called an oil cooler line gasket. If you have to order one, make sure you tell them is is the "figure 8" gasket, because there is more than one. This one goes at the end of the cooler lines that attach to the block.