What do oil coolers do

The range of common plumbing sizes range from a AN -6 to a , with the majority of fittings falling somewhere in between at -8, , There is no one-size-fits all for the plumbing, which also is true for the heat exchanger itself.

The efficiency of a heat exchanger is measured in BTUs per hour. Beals said the rule of thumb is 1 horsepower equals 2, BTU per hour. To find the right size heat exchanger, the first consideration is power output, then allotted space for mounting it and how the vehicle will be used, and this is where good components are critical. Cheap oil coolers can result in either low oil-pressure drops with poor performance, or adequate performance with extreme pressure drops.

Properly designed and planned oil cooling systems can approximate or come close to zero net pressure loss. To find a suitable place to mount a cooler, Beals advised mounting it on as many points as possible, and isolating it from vibration using dampened mounts. Further, chassis mount points should be such that they vibrate on the same plane, such as a radiator support.

If you mount it on different planes of motion, like a linear frame rail and a lateral radiator support, you could end up tearing the mounts off with chassis flex. Doing it that way reduces restriction by filtering warmer, thinner oil and supplies clean oil to the cooler. Whipping can stress the oil cooler connection and lead to fatigue over time. For fittings, minimize the severity of bends to make the smoothest curves possible. While trying to keep the heat exchanger as close to the engine as possible, you also should mount it in a position to maximize air flow.

A heat exchanger should be placed most ideally to face directly into the oncoming air stream and, just as importantly, there should be a proper path of exhaust from the rear of the heat exchanger. This would have been much better with a neutral party like a professional builder or racer. If the vehicle is serviced as required, including routine oil and filter changes, the oil cooler should last as long as the vehicle's engine or other major mechanical components.

However, there are some occasions where staying on top of maintenance will not prevent all damage potential for an oil cooler. When this component begins to wear out or has broken, it will display a few warning signs. Noted below are a few of these symptoms that can alert a driver that their oil cooler may need to be replaced.

One of the components that are part of the oil cooling system is the oil cooler adapter. The adapter connects oil lines to the cooler itself and another adapter sends "cooled" oil back into the oil pan.

Within the adapter is a gasket or rubber o-ring. If the oil cooler adapter fails externally, engine oil may be forced out of the engine. If the leak is small, you may notice a puddle of engine oil on the ground underneath your vehicle or quite possibly a stream of oil on the ground behind your vehicle.

If you notice any oil leaking under your engine , it's always recommended to contact a professional mechanic so they can determine where the leak is coming from and repair it quickly. As oil leaks, the engine loses ability to lubricate itself. This could result in increased engine temperature and premature parts wear due to increased friction from the lack of proper lubrication. Similar to a loss of oil, an external oil cooler failure may force all of the engine coolant out of the engine.

If the leak is small, you may notice coolant puddling on the ground underneath your vehicle. If the leak is a large one, you will probably notice steam pouring out from under the hood of your vehicle. As with the above symptom, it's important to contact a professional mechanic as soon as you notice a coolant leak. If enough coolant leaks from the radiator or oil cooler, it can result in engine overheating problems and mechanical component failure.

If the oil cooler adapter fails internally, you may notice engine oil in your cooling system. This happens because when the engine is running, oil pressure is greater than cooling system pressure. Oil is forced into the cooling system. This will eventually cause a lack of lubrication and can severely damage your engine.

When the engine is not running and the cooling system is pressurized, coolant can be forced from the cooling system into the oil pan. High oil pan levels can damage the engine by the crankshaft slapping the oil as it rotates.

For example, if you haul a trailer uphill for long distances, then chances are that your engine works at maximum capacity for a long time. This creates a lot of heat that needs a way to dissipate. If the heat cannot be released, then it builds up and raises the engine's temperature. An oil cooler provides an extra surface for that heat to dissipate. If installed correctly, your engine oil cooler should not need much maintenance. Like radiators, make sure to keep your cooler clean of debris, and check for leaks.

On top of that, make sure you keep your engine oil in good condition. Change your oil at the recommended intervals. This helps to reduce the chance that your cooler will plug internally.

An engine oil cooler should last for years with minimal problems. Some of the most common problems are cracks and leaks in the cooler. Rust often causes leaks, but road vibrations can also contribute to this problem, especially if you drive off-road. Generally, this problem is more likely to occur in an older vehicle. Another common problem is either the coolant leaks into the oil or vice versa.

This could result in oil inside the combustion chamber or a swollen radiator. Coolant in the oil is especially bad because it lessens the oil's lubrication ability. Oil coolers are very beneficial for certain types of trucks and performance vehicles. If you put your vehicle under a lot of load or run your car's engine at top speed for long periods, then you could benefit from an oil cooler. However, make sure you maintain your cooler and promptly repair it to avoid serious problems.

Sometimes, engine oil coolers can be hard to install, especially in vehicles with limited room.