Can I remove my Oil Cooler?

[BigMikeO]

I am having problems with leaking oil cooler lines, of course... My question to the group is that since I do almost no towing would it be possible to just remove the oil cooler and plug the holes where it was attached to the block? :confused:
I have a 95, 4x4, 2500, 6.5L turbo with about 170k miles.

[David Proske]

Ummm, no.

[richard7]

The oil cooler is needed even if you don't tow. It is a light duty diesel engine with limited oil pan capacity.

The oil cooler is full flow, meaning that you can't put a plug on the inlet and outlet ports without compromising oil flow. The oil is full flow to the oil cooler, than full flow to the oil filter.

If you do, there is a relief valve that will open to redirect the oil to the filter, but oil pressure will lower dramatically because of the high restriction (it is an "emergency" relief valve).

Put high quality cooler lines to solve the problem.

[britannic]

You can't plug the holes, since this would immediately stop oil from flowing at full system pressure (it would be like having a completely blocked filter and the bypass valve would open).

The only way to remove the cooler is to fit a loop, however, without the ability to cool the oil, you'd end up spending more on the eventual damage to the engine if the temps exceed the engine oil's molecular shear qualities, which is a certainty on a hot and humid summer's day, whilst hill climbing (even without towing or loaded).

[ucdavis]

Supposedly improved oil cooler lines available @:
1/2" oil cooler lines from Lubrication Specialist, LLC 800) 306-4255 or http://www.lubespecialist.com/Order/order.mv, $115 & supposedly drop-in fit

I think if you do a search on aftermarket cooler lines you'll find some additional discussion about this here on the Forum.

[ 09-12-2003, 02:20 PM: Message edited by: ucdavis ]

[LanduytG]

No supposedly to it, because they are drop in replacements.

Greg

[damork]

I agree that you don't remove the cooler - even if you could you'd likely end up with damage due to heat. The turbo heating the oil along along with normal highway driving will heat it enough even without a load. You'd probably be surprised how hot the engine oil really gets.

[BigMikeO]

I just purchased the new Oil cooler lines and I will let everyone know how easy or difficult they are to install once I am done.
Thanks for all the Info.

[BigMikeO]

Well I just installed the new oil cooler lines today. I have not been able to test it out yet because of other unforseen issues while I was under there. Removing the old oil cooler lines were a bit of a pain since I refused to drop the front suspension. putting in the new lines were quite easy. I had to remove the oil cooler and attach the new lines to it, then I snaked the new lines and reattached the Oil cooler. I had to use an allen wrench to tighten the elbow adapters to the block because the space was to tight for any of my large wrenches. all and all it was very simple and I am by no means a gear head. "i think that was the right terminolgy" I would suggest picking up a set of large stubby wrenches for this project. I also installed the kamoto oil drain valve. Very cool item..

Oh as for those other issues. I found out one oil leak I had was because there was no O ring on the bolt attaching the 90 degree offset for the oil filter. I will be picking that up tommorow. Also I went after the wrong cooler in the front of the truck. So I now need to pick up a new set of lines for my transmission cooler. Greg do you have a enhanced version of those too??? :rolleyes:

[john8662]

I too have installed the modified cooling lines on my 95 suburban. The hardest part is just getting to everything, as recommended remove the front driveshaft (if 4x4) and the oil filter adaptor (I don't see how you could do the work with that stuff in there). Removing the front grill is somewhat of a challenge if you've never done it before, and then just routing your lines and attaching them away from moving objects. Be very carefull installing the lines in the oil cooler though, if you can't screw the connector and line into the cooler by hand, then you're probably cross-threading the line (hmm.. how would I know this...) oops, cooler is almost too dern expensive. For some reason the line was just a little bit too big and wouldn't fit in properly, but a new cooler, and it matched up properly. I think its best it got replaced then, if it was goofy.

All in all I highly recommend the lines, great construction, the hardware is complete, and I doubt I have to mess with another drip from them. Priced right also..