Possible leaking oil cooler

[dan_b]

I'm MTM'ed, so running more than stock, but not silly power. I have seen very high oil temps though when I've tracked it - up to 140C, but I don't do that very often these days... Guess I'll go stock. I'll need to change the oil when I do this won't I?

What tools required to remove the hardline connectors? Simple enough job do you think?

[dan_b]

Aah, more evidence for superior 3B-ness - the oil cooler is 1/3 the price of the ABY

[porkkis]

The 3B oil cooler is indeed a beetle part. The sealing has been done .. strangely. It's definately a kludge. There are 2 rubber rings that seals the cooler to the carrier. The carrier has the threaded hose connections.
Better change the 2 seals (unobtainium price) while you're there.

Bolts holding the carrier on the cooler might be quite tight as there is aluminium/steel pair.

Std cooler is too small for track use
Don't let your oil temp rise over 130C, ever.

[dan_b]

I have seen very high oil temps on track with this car, over 130 when they went that high I stopped and didn't do any more as that was too high for my liking...

[dan_b]

Well, changed out the oil cooler today, what a nice messy job. Changed engine oil to some of the 10/50 Silkolene stuff, did the gearbox oil as well with Silkolene 75/90.

I wonder how much oil flow there's been going through my old cooler, it was in a pretty parlous state. New one went on nicely, here's to lower oil temps with a working cooler...

Incidentally - changing the 'box oil has resulted in instantly noticeable improvement in gear shift.

[~Delta]

I've just purchased a Mocal unit, 16 row, and the same width as the auxillary rad. Best place to mount it, if you don't mind losing the aux. Got some braided lines made up too, the total cost was £76. At least, it won't collect cr4p like it does in the wheelarch...

[dan_b]

Good price - take some pictures when you fit it, will be interesting to see how it compares on the cooling front with the OE

[s2driveruk]

Dan you got any 'how to guide' pics on this job.....always wondered how sludged up mine is or how effective it works. If its simple to remove I may do it on the next oil service and give it a good clean.

[dan_b]

Sorry, with it being such an oily job I didn't want to go near my camera and destroy that with oil. It was actually very straightforward. I was worried that the nuts might have corroded on to the lines or something, but I think because there has been what appears to have been quite a long-term leak, the oil kept the unions corrosion-free.

I would suggest if you plan to remove the existing one and clean it that you order up some new seals - there are two little rubber seals stopping all your engine oil from dumping on the road.

I would imagine most people's oil coolers could do with a bit of a visual inspection at least - they're in a dirty, vulnerable spot and being made of light alloy are fairly easy to damage. Worth checking.