Car oil cooler

The oil cooler is an integral part of the oil and coolant circuit. It is required to lower the oil temperature. Therefore, it is an engine oil-refrigerant heat exchanger. The oil cooler is required in each car, because the oil works best as a lubricant. If we are speaking of cooling, it is merely a relative effect. When the engine is running at operating temperature, the water is hot. At the same time, the oil is hotter than the water. Due to a heat exchange, relative cooling happens inside.

For efficient operation of heat transfer, oil heaters are designed so that the oil provides the largest possible area for the coolant. Stainless steel or aluminum is used as a material usually. In general, all materials are suitable, which have a high thermal conductivity. The location of the oil cooler is not hard to find, because only the coolant circuit are investigated. The most common defect is a leak. In many cases it is sufficient to replace the two seals. If this will not change anything, you need to replace oil cooler completely.

During dismantling the oil cooler you need to lower the oil for environmental reasons. After installation of oil cooler, the coolant and the oil must be added. Generally, it makes sense to connect the replacement of the oil cooler with an oil change. An oil cooler can be quite expensive, so it is worthwhile to compare prices before buying. With us you can get a very good offer. Of course, you can also order a pulse generator, a flexible disc/disc Hardy, a master cylinder, a horn, a heating radiator, fan belt, a V-ribbed belts and many other car parts. Our online store has a huge range of spare parts for various car makers.

How to detect oil cooler failure

In order to test the oil cooler, drain oil and remove the oil cooler from the system. The first step is checking functionality of the safety valve. It should open when oil pressure exceeds 0.12 MPa.

The component should also be checked for internal defects and clogging.

Preventive measures should be taken every 2-3 years. If the system is used properly, the component may last 10 years or more.

You may notice that the oil cooler may need diagnostics by the following symptoms:

• traces of oil leakage on the component;
• the engine is constantly overheating;
• the expansion tank is covered with dark deposit;
• the engine loses power at higher RPM;
• the engine oil becomes less viscous.

The reasons of oil cooler malfunction

One of the main faults of the component is corrosion caused by moisture and high temperature.

The reason of mechanical damage of the component is usually the applied excessive force. It can also cause deformation of the safety valve, which disconnects the oil cooler, when the pressure in the system drops.

Unit operability depends largely on the condition of connecting hoses and sealing elements. Due to fluctuations of temperature, moisture condensation, and ingress of dirt, they may crack.

Oil leakage at the joints and fastenings may occur due to improper installation of the component and loosened attachment bolts.

Repairing and replacing the oil cooler

Repair allows removing only clogging of the component and damaged gaskets. This is achieved by replacing the sealing rings and cleaning the system.

When installing the oil cooler, special attention should be paid to the torque of the fastening elements tightening. This value should be 25 Nm. The fasteners should be tightened with a torque wrench.

If even small defects are discovered on the tubes of the oil cooler, the component should be replaced.