Oil related, system clog?

N.RotaryTech · 01-08-2009, 08:29 AM

Car, engine, etc:
'89 rx7 gtu, S5 n/a, engine has 36,000+/-miles on it. New oil pump w/rebuild. Oil press. has always been around 60(stock gauge), past half year or so, its dropped to 45 at idle. Still have the MOP. Been premixing for a year. Oil changes every 3500+/-miles. Use mostly Purolator oil filters and Castrol 10w30.

Problem/something Ive noticed:
The past two oil changes, when I take the oil filter off, oil spills out an over the pedestal, Oil is puddled in the pedestal.

Thats pretty much it, other than that Ive had no problems.

So whats going on here?

I assume the oil system is getting clogged, which can be bad and can get worse and lead to cause catastrophic failure.

I'm thinking an oil-change-flush might help.

Any other ideas or remedies?

My5ABaby · 01-08-2009, 08:56 AM

I've found a bit of oil left in the filter and never thought anything of it.

Max777 · 01-08-2009, 10:27 AM

well, purolator oil filters... they have an anti-drainback valve built in, which should keep the oil from spilling out like that.

Are you sure you took the filter of AFTER you drained the oil from the pan? Taking the filter off first would cause your problem...

N.RotaryTech · 01-08-2009, 12:16 PM

yep, I always take it off after drainedge.
There's always a good amount of time for the filter to drain, or at least the pedestal to drain.
Changing the filter is the second to last thing I do when changing the oil.

Max777 · 01-08-2009, 04:45 PM

ok just wanted to check... also, I got this comment a while back that aparently the stock gauges are not that accurate.... I am no pro, but it might be the pressure regulator.

if it was the OP sending unit, then the gauge would peg, like mine is right now for example... so it cant be that.

lol, it does sound like you got a clog of some sort ya know! Why dont you get a magnetic oil drain plug and check for metal on it after you flush the oil?

Spooln2 · 01-08-2009, 05:40 PM

Use a screw driver to poke a hole in the filter(right before you take it off) and it will drain better. That is what I do for the dripping all over thing. It works great for me. I had the same problem but my pressure is good. I don't think low pressure would be the culpret here.

RETed · 01-08-2009, 07:14 PM

First, spilling oil like that is normal.
If you want to minimize the spilling, just wait a few hours after you've driven the car or...overnight.
Yes, I realize that some people recommend running the engine just prior to draining the oil, but you still got a shitload of oil sitting in the oil cooler which isn't going to be removed in a normal oil change.

Second, always check your oil pressure with a known, good mechanical oil pressure gauge.
Stock oil pressure senders tend to go back pretty frequently, so always confirm first.

-Ted

StarSpeedRacing · 01-14-2009, 03:23 AM

Let it sit overnight.

01-08-2009, 08:29 AM	#1
N.RotaryTech Home-brew Rotary Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: GooseCreek SC iTrader: (0) Posts: 552 Rep Power: 17	Oil related, system clog? Car, engine, etc: '89 rx7 gtu, S5 n/a, engine has 36,000+/-miles on it. New oil pump w/rebuild. Oil press. has always been around 60(stock gauge), past half year or so, its dropped to 45 at idle. Still have the MOP. Been premixing for a year. Oil changes every 3500+/-miles. Use mostly Purolator oil filters and Castrol 10w30. Problem/something Ive noticed: The past two oil changes, when I take the oil filter off, oil spills out an over the pedestal, Oil is puddled in the pedestal. Thats pretty much it, other than that Ive had no problems. So whats going on here? I assume the oil system is getting clogged, which can be bad and can get worse and lead to cause catastrophic failure. I'm thinking an oil-change-flush might help. Any other ideas or remedies? __________________ '89 RX7 GTU, half-Bridge-port S4/S5 NA, E6K, Full RB exhaust, weekend warrior. '83 RX7, The "this might take awhile" project. '87 RX7 GXL, Rest In Pieces. '98 Subaru Impreza Outback-sport, rx7 rescue vehicle, down for repair. '94 Ford Ranger, daily.

01-08-2009, 08:56 AM	#2
My5ABaby Sigh..... Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Murfreesboro, TN iTrader: (6) Posts: 2,377 Rep Power: 19	I've found a bit of oil left in the filter and never thought anything of it. __________________ 1986 Sport: 132k miles, 5A (Sapphire Blue Metallic), Tokico Blues, Racing Beat Springs, Custom LED tailights (only S4 LED tails in the world), SSR Mark II, Racing Beat exhaust, S5 black interior, Rotary Resurrection rebuild at 120k miles Community Service Manual RotorWiki "Imagination costs nothing; we could build square locomotives or fly to Mars" - Felix Wankel Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the "present."

01-08-2009, 10:27 AM	#3
Max777 Pirate Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Central IL iTrader: (5) Posts: 1,323 Rep Power: 18	well, purolator oil filters... they have an anti-drainback valve built in, which should keep the oil from spilling out like that. Are you sure you took the filter of AFTER you drained the oil from the pan? Taking the filter off first would cause your problem... __________________ Rotaries:They are NOT that complicated!

01-08-2009, 04:45 PM	#5
Max777 Pirate Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Central IL iTrader: (5) Posts: 1,323 Rep Power: 18	ok just wanted to check... also, I got this comment a while back that aparently the stock gauges are not that accurate.... I am no pro, but it might be the pressure regulator. if it was the OP sending unit, then the gauge would peg, like mine is right now for example... so it cant be that. lol, it does sound like you got a clog of some sort ya know! Why dont you get a magnetic oil drain plug and check for metal on it after you flush the oil? __________________ Rotaries:They are NOT that complicated!

01-08-2009, 05:40 PM	#6
Spooln2 Rx7 Lover Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0) Posts: 30 Rep Power: 0	Use a screw driver to poke a hole in the filter(right before you take it off) and it will drain better. That is what I do for the dripping all over thing. It works great for me. I had the same problem but my pressure is good. I don't think low pressure would be the culpret here. __________________ 1984 GSL-SE 54k mi 1989 GTUs 31k mi 1995 PEP 15k mi

01-08-2009, 12:16 PM	#4
N.RotaryTech Home-brew Rotary Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: GooseCreek SC iTrader: (0) Posts: 552 Rep Power: 17	yep, I always take it off after drainedge. There's always a good amount of time for the filter to drain, or at least the pedestal to drain. Changing the filter is the second to last thing I do when changing the oil.

01-14-2009, 03:23 AM	#8
StarSpeedRacing StarSpeedRacing Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: California iTrader: (0) Posts: 34 Rep Power: 0	Let it sit overnight. __________________ StarSpeedRacing Parts Development & Discount Parts! GB:FD Intercooler Kit GB:Stainless Non Turbo Headers Contact: StarSpeedRacing@gmail.com