Cleaning a trombone oil cooler

[Porsche_911s]

Cleaning a trombone oil cooler

I've been reading a lot of recent posts about cleaning oil coolers and the problems that can occur when it's not cleaned properly. The threads were more about the Carrera oil cooler and not the trombone style cooler. Eventually I will upgrade to the Carrera cooler but for now I'm going to use this '78 trombone cooler on my 2.7. I know the engine this came off of had some problems (soft cams) but it did not "blow up". Do you guys still recommend spending the $100 + to have this type of cooler cleaned or would varasol & high pressure soap & water do the trick?

Thanks,

[coloradoporsche]

I wouldn’t spend money to have someone clean a metal tube under any circumstances. A bit of soap, WD-40, brake parts cleaner or whatever you have on hand should do the trick. Get any major pieces of dirt off and you are in good shape.

Save the $100 towards the Carerra cooler upgrade.

[911pcars]

Try running a bristle brush through it along with some solvent. If you don't have the facilities, a radiator shop should be able to handle this.

Sherwood

[oneblueyedog]

High pressurre sprayer did it for me.

[Porsche_911s]

Thanks for the replies, I was just checking to see what others had done. I had planned on soaking it in varasol, using a brush, and then high pressure soap & water.

And then the fun of cleaning the oil lines!

[Gilbert '71 T]

i ran brake cleaner through mine, then flushed out with a high pressure washer, it did the trick for me, good luck.

[emcdan]

I keep mine clean with a SOS pad. Most of the cooling process is the lateral lines to the trombome. They need to be kept clean and free of any debris.

IMO I don't think you'll do much to improve cooling by cleaning the inside of the lines unless you have had some engine failures. The oil temps keep the interior clean.

Since you're suspicious of the previous motor, anything will work well. Obviously you want to make sure it is completely free of water, chemicals..etc...when reassembling.

Eric

[bob tilton]

This took me a couple hours with scotch brite pads and mag polish.

[ischmitz]

Bob, I think Stephen is concerned about the inside of the cooler Nice work though.

[Howard M]

Bob's cooler looks like it came from an actual trombone!

[Porsche_911s]

Actually I am going to clean both the inside and the outside of the cooler and lines. Not sure if I can match Bob, that is a nice looking trombone!

[bob tilton]

I ended up giving that trombone away to install a 28 brass style.