Best Way to Clean a 73.5 Engine Oil Cooler?

LakeCleElum · 05-15-2010, 07:15 AM

I want to keep my 73.5 totally stock and not add a front oil cooler unless I really have to.

With 122,000 miles, it really doesn't need a rebuild yet expect I get the usual low oil pressure issues when running hot. I thinks it runs hotter than it should. Often 230 or so when just cruising backroads at 50-60 mph (rarely over 4,000 rpm) with temps in the 70's.

I had the Alt out a few years ago and cleaned out some minor debris around the cooling fins. I suspect my engine oil cooler could benefit from a good cleaning?

Would it be a good/bad idea to spray engine degreaser and then hit it from both directions with my pressure washer. If that's too much pressure, maybe my air hose? Is it a big job to pull the stock cooler off with the engine in the car?

I think if I went with a front cooler, the 73.5 takes some special plumbing for a thermostat? Thanks much...

ossiblue · 05-15-2010, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

I want to keep my 73.5 totally stock and not add a front oil cooler unless I really have to.

With 122,000 miles, it really doesn't need a rebuild yet expect I get the usual low oil pressure issues when running hot. I thinks it runs hotter than it should. Often 230 or so when just cruising backroads at 50-60 mph (rarely over 4,000 rpm) with temps in the 70's.

I had the Alt out a few years ago and cleaned out some minor debris around the cooling fins. I suspect my engine oil cooler could benefit from a good cleaning?

Would it be a good/bad idea to spray engine degreaser and then hit it from both directions with my pressure washer. If that's too much pressure, maybe my air hose? Is it a big job to pull the stock cooler off with the engine in the car?

I think if I went with a front cooler, the 73.5 takes some special plumbing for a thermostat? Thanks much...

Can't answer about the pressure washing, but I do have an external cooler on my 73.5 and it doesn't take any special plumbing, save changing out the lines from the engine to thermostat, and thermostat to tank, which are readily available. My car used the 74 and on set up. I understand your wish to keep the car original, but adding a front cooler will bring your oil temps way down, and it is easily reversible should you wish to sell.

LakeCleElum · 05-16-2010, 02:49 AM

Thax for the info on the front cooler LJ....Surprised no one here has ever cleaned the engine cooler. No luck on the search either.....Maybe I show post in OT?

fireant911 · 05-16-2010, 03:36 AM

LakeCleElum

Temperature on 86 Carerra

response 30... it worked great for me!

E Sully · E Sully's Garage

My 2.4 used to run hot in the summer.
The way the ducting is around the oil cooler it's difficult to clean while the engine is in. I have used engine degreaser with the alternator out and flushed it with the hose, but I wouldn't hit it with a pressure washer.
I bought a used factory front oil cooler lines and trombone for my '73 when I installed the '86 3.2 in my car. Not hard to install. Works well to keep the temps under 210.

Gogar · 05-16-2010, 05:43 AM

I'd be a little bit hesitant to shoot high pressure water into the fins, but if you hit it with some kind of degreaser and soak it for a while and then hit it with some lower pressure water or air or something it would be fine.

I imagine if you get frisky you could take it to a radiator shop and have 'em tank it.

I had similar temp issues on my '72 and I pulled the engine and cleaned the heck out of it and made sure all the ducting was proper and the cooler was clean, and it did help my temps by about 10 degrees. Having a really clean motor is great when you're messing with your car, too.

sailchef · sailchef's Garage

When I removed the engine on my '80SC I found the engine mounted oil cooler was completely caked with gunk. I set it in a big tub and started degreasing it with the "purple stuff" from walmart and a soft bristled brush. It took several days and the fumes were overwhelming but the gunk eventually softened up and the fins came out nice and clean. I used the same stuff on the inside and washed it around a little. I flushed it with clean oil several times and put it all back together. That was 3 years ago and a few thousand miles, no problems.

HarryD · 05-16-2010, 08:27 AM

Every few years, I remove the alternator/fan and spray the top and bottom of the engine (including the engine mounted oil cooler) with Gunk Engine Brite. I let it sit for a while and wash off the whole shebang with water from my hose.

So far, no harm and while I am not sure how effective it truly is, I do feel better knowing I tried.

LakeCleElum · 05-17-2010, 07:33 AM

Great point on cleaning the engine/cooling fins. Think my 1st step is to jack it up, pull the Alt and clean away......If that don't help, a front mounted cooler - Probably looking at a rebuild soon and would want one for the fresh engine.....Thanks much...........

Hetmann · 05-17-2010, 11:31 AM

When I had my 3.0 rebuilt we sent my oil cooler out to have it cleaned ultrasonically. I found the recommendation here Pacific something or other. Try a search. They did a good job for me.

304065 · 05-17-2010, 11:52 AM

Send it to Pacific Oil Cooler.

Oil Cooler rebuilt by Pacific Oil Cooler

Sunroof · 05-17-2010, 12:36 PM

Bob, try this first as I did on my 1973.5T..........2.4/CIS

I added the Heet Sheets (easy install) and the world famous cooler collar and I found between the two I get a needles + worth of cooling. My car did come with the external oil cooler, but that huge thermostat in the right wheel well is clogged and does not function. As a result I did run a bit hot, especially with the AC cranking in these hot southern summers. I figured, what the hell, give the cooler collar and heet sheets a change since they will not break the bank. So far so good. The 2.4 has the reputation for never overheating.

I did see recently a very nifty device that is the huge oil hose that runs between the oil tank and oil cooler. They built into it a metal circular fitting about 8-10 inches long that is finned to release heat and promote oil cooling. Very sharp and not too pricey.

my 2-cents

Bob
2.5T

HarryD · 05-17-2010, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunroof

Bob, try this first as I did on my 1973.5T..........2.4/CIS

I added the Heet Sheets (easy install) and the world famous cooler collar and I found between the two I get a needles + worth of cooling. My car did come with the external oil cooler, but that huge thermostat in the right wheel well is clogged and does not function. As a result I did run a bit hot, especially with the AC cranking in these hot southern summers. I figured, what the hell, give the cooler collar and heet sheets a change since they will not break the bank. So far so good. The 2.4 has the reputation for never overheating.

I did see recently a very nifty device that is the huge oil hose that runs between the oil tank and oil cooler. They built into it a metal circular fitting about 8-10 inches long that is finned to release heat and promote oil cooling. Very sharp and not too pricey.

my 2-cents

Bob
2.5T

I think you are referring to the "Compact Cooler". Read this (Opinion of this oil cooler?) then decide.

LakeCleElum · 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 304065

Send it to Pacific Oil Cooler.

Oil Cooler rebuilt by Pacific Oil Cooler

Thanks much John, Harry, Sunroof, sailchef, Hetmann, Cogar, Sully, Fireant911 and all....