Oil Cooler Fitment Questions

Gerry H · Post by **Gerry H** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 3:21 pm

Just fitting an oil cooler at long last. It uses a thermostatic sandwich plate between the oil filter and block. I'm presuming the thermostat stays shut until the oil has reached the pre-determined temp and then allows flow to the cooler.

So, the question is, where does that great slug of air go to once the stat opens and the oil flows? Where will this air end up, straight to the sump or, being pushed around the oil galleries to the various bearing surfaces? Basically, I don't know the oil path of the engine.

Is there a right/wrong direction for the pipes, i.e. stat connection to top or bottom of cooler, assuming I can get it in vertically.

Presumably, the capacity of the cooler and pipes will drop the oil level by the same volume once the stat opens

duncan · Post by **duncan** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 3:36 pm

can you fill the cooloer and pipes up prior to install to save there being a huge gulp of air?

Gerry H · Post by **Gerry H** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 3:46 pm

Not easily but it's going to happen at every oil change anyway.

Does the oil get filtered before going on it's way round the engine or before being returned to the sump?

blacky · Post by **blacky** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 4:00 pm

Gerry, as to orientation of the cooler, the guys at Think Auto said it didn't matter which way up the cooler goes, but the best thing when starting teh car for the first time is to dry crank it with the plugs out till you have oil pressure.

As to teh air issue, I had that thought, but as the engine is not a totally sealed unit the excess air vents out and it sesm to be okay :? :?

Can't be really bad as loads of people have them... :?:

Nik · Post by **Nik** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 4:12 pm

As far as I have been told, The thermostat lets a small amount of oil through to the cooler until it gets up to temp. Therefore not allowing an airlock to form.

Thats as far as I have been told, I am in no way an expert on these things.

Gerry H · Post by **Gerry H** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 4:15 pm

Rain stop play atm, it just tipped it down and I'm dripping onto the keyboard :roll:

I'll have a look on t'net and see if there's any info.

mattie170 · Post by **mattie170** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 4:28 pm

I have a remote mocal oil stat and how it works is it is always open but when the oil is up to temp it starts to shut which forces the oil through the cooler. This is so the cooler always has pressure in it and hopefully stops air being trapped, which also allows the the oil in the cooler to thin a little before entering the engine. I would guess it is the same for remote ones and sandwich ones.

Matt

Fast Eddy · Post by **Fast Eddy** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 7:33 pm

Gerry,
Glad you have received the bits quickly.
As you may know the oil feed to the outside of a filter first so this enables you to determine which port is which on the sandwich plate.
You are correct to be putting some thought as to how to pipe it up etc, but in some repects and with respect you may be thinking too much lol.
As has been said, initially you need to prime the cooler and pipework as much as possible and i always turn an engine over with ignition and fuel immobilised after an oil change to gain pressure before proper start up.
The stat in the plate will close and open slowly so when the oil cools down it will remain in the cooler and pipework ready for the next time it opens. It will work in a sililar fashion to a water system thermostat, radiator etc
You need to mount the cooler vertically or upsidedown so old oil does not get trapped in the cooler at oil changes.
Bearing in mind that heat rises, i would feed the cooler from the bottom so the heat reduces as it rises rather than feeding hot oil in the top which will create a hot spot at the top.
I hope this helps mate

Gerry H · Post by **Gerry H** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 7:57 pm

Hi Eddy, Yes the bits have arrived in good time, thanks.

My concerns about direction of flow is to feed the oil into the bottom so that the air is dispelled, in the same way as your radiator is bled from the top. I don't think that convection currents are so important in this instance as flow is generated from the pump rather than the changing density of the medium.

I think that agrees with what you said

blacky · Post by **blacky** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 6:46 am

As far as my understanding is that with the rate of the oil pump on these car there is no way you will get an airlock in the core, as the amount and flow of oil is too great.

You got any pics Gerry, be interesting to see how you have mounted it in comparison to mine.