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Engine Specific Info and Questions => IDI Engine => Topic started by: silvertdi on October 13, 2007, 05:13:03 pm

Title: oil cooler question
Post by: silvertdi on October 13, 2007, 05:13:03 pm

I just got back from the junk yard and found a mk3 with an oil cooler (the water cooled variety).  Would this work on my 81, or are there better ones available for a mk1 like an oil/air variety?  Thanks.

Title: oil cooler question
Post by: zagarus on October 13, 2007, 06:13:54 pm

id say go for an  air type oil cooler, theres no worry about having it break and then mix oil with the coolant system.

heres my oil cooler, a nice generic one bought from a local autoparts store.

(http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL842/4102322/8647267/274192544.jpg)

Title: oil cooler question
Post by: silvertdi on October 13, 2007, 07:06:43 pm

Quote from: zagarus

id say go for an  air type oil cooler, theres no worry about having it break and then mix oil with the coolant system.

Good point.  I didn't even think of that.  I was strictly thinking efficiency.

Title: oil cooler question
Post by: cyrus #1 on October 14, 2007, 12:22:00 am

The oil/water heat exchanger is probably good enough for most semi-stock applications.  That being said, if you buy a used one be sure to test it for leaks before installing it.  If you go the air cooled route, get a unit that is thermostatically controlled.

Title: oil cooler question
Post by: zagarus on October 14, 2007, 01:00:11 am

^ya what he said about thermo stuff and stuff lol.

The sandwich plate that came with my oil cooler is thermostatically controlled. so its not flowing through the cooler all the time.

Title: oil cooler question
Post by: jtanguay on October 14, 2007, 04:46:19 am

i like the idea behind the stock water/oil cooler.  it helps to warm up the motor consistently and evenly.  the downside as stated is that it can crack.  (this is usually from some dolt reefing on the oil filter to either loosen or tighten it, or even from an overheated engine)

Title: oil cooler question
Post by: jolotter on October 14, 2007, 08:36:23 pm

Quote

Libbybapa wrote:

You can alter the hose routing so that the cooler will not have flow once the thermostat opens and blocks the bypass hose.

Yeah,  coolant is usually hotter than oil once the engine's warmed up, eh?

Quote

That is the way I will have it on my TD Vanagon along with the aux oil to air cooler. Fast warm-ups, no heat spikes for the oil.

Will you have it thermostatically controlled for those fast warm-ups?

Johann

Title: oil cooler question
Post by: jolotter on October 15, 2007, 07:42:34 pm

Andrew, that sounds like a good setup.  It would be helpful to see a pic and/or schematic of your cooling setup for hose routing.  I think you made a copper manifold to replace the unobtanium hose, didn't you?
I have a oil take-off flange from a Saab and was going to plumb an air/oil cooler to replace the stock cooler, but I see the disadvantage due to the slower warmup, especially as I am building a two-tank SVO setup.  I can't see how to have a thermo controlled cooler without a lot of extra plumbing. :?:

Johann