Frequently Asked Questions
An oil cooler is a smaller cooler, separate from the main engine cooler, that keeps the engine oil at an appropriate, optimal temperature. Its job is to extend engine and transmission life by cooling the oil. An oil cooler must be installed in the performance engine due to the high thermal load. When the engine is running, the viscosity of the oil thins as the temperature rises, reducing the lubricating capacity. In automatic transmissions, it can also be used to cool the oil. A cooler plays an important role in keeping a vehicle running smoothly by removing heat and removing oil from moving parts. It is located between the filter and the engine block or behind the main heat exchanger (radiator).
When the engine oil cooler deteriorates, it produces one of the following signs:
1) Oil leaks
When the adaptor deteriorates, it may cause oil leakage from the engine. If the oil leak is very small, you may see a puddle of oil at the bottom of the engine.
2) Engine overheating
If the radiator fails, it will not cool the engine oil properly, causing the engine to overheat.
3) Coolant leaks
If an oil cooler fails externally, it can cause engine coolant to leak. Coolant leaks can range from a small puddle to a continuous flow of coolant under your car.
4) Oil in the Cooling System
If the oil cooler adapter is leaking internally, engine oil will begin to enter the cooling system.
5) Coolant in the Oil
Coolant in engine oil mixes when the engine is not running, but the cooling system is under pressure. Under these conditions, the cooling system forces the coolant into the oil sump.
6) Reduced engine performance
This is noticeable when accelerating slowly and at low top speeds. The engine will also show high temperatures on the heat gauge during operation. This is because the engine is not cooling fast enough and is overheating.
7) High temperature on the temperature gauge
The temperature gauge shows the engine temperature. It is located on the dashboard of the vehicle. A higher temperature on the gauge indicates that your engine is not cooling properly.
8) Black smoke
When your vehicle's oil cooler deteriorates, oil may leak into the engine's combustion chamber. This will result in the emission of thick black smoke from your vehicle's tailpipe.
9) Excessive vibration
In addition to black smoke emission, the entry of oil into the engine cylinder due to a faulty oil cooler can cause vibration.
10) Check the engine light
The latest vehicle models are equipped with various sensors. The function of these sensors is to detect problems with the cooling system and engine oil.
1) Corrosion
Over time, the oil cooler can corrode due to contact with moisture and other corrosive substances.
2) Improper installation
Incorrect installation of the oil cooler can also cause damage due to factors such as excessive vibration.
3) Blocked or clogged passages
A vehicle's oil cooler contains several channels for the flow of oil. Over time, these passages can become clogged or blocked.
4) Physical damage
Your vehicle's oil cooler is generally located in a sensitive area of the engine, making it susceptible to damage from road debris.
Your engine should be cold and you should wait at least 20 minutes to allow the oil to completely return to the crankcase.
Before installing an oil cooler, it's a good idea to make sure you really need one. You need to consider a number of factors related to your driving habits, your budget, and your region.
Installing an oil cooler may make sense in the following cases：
1. You live in an area where the climate is dry and hot for much of the year. The risk of the engine oil in your car reaching very high temperatures is not negligible.
2. You drive sportily, even aggressively. Your driving habits affect the temperature rise.
3. You have customized your vehicle. The addition of a turbocharger is likely to heat up the engine and the installation of an oil cooler may be advisable in this case. An engine that produces more power transfers more heat to the oil, and this increase must be compensated for if the heat transfer is greater than what the original design was designed to handle.
On the other hand, you probably won't need to install an oil cooler if you live in a region with a relatively cold climate, if you use your vehicle primarily for conventional daily driving (e.g. commuting), or if you don't intend to improve the engine's performance.
