Oil cooler blues

[Forrestkhaag]

I purchased an oil cooler (on engine oil cooler) that was represented as good to go. After installing it on my 3.0 914-6 conversion, it is good to go,,,,,,,, to go #1 all over the floor of my garage as it has a leak in the core of the cooler that produces 1DPS,,,, one drip per second........ #86@3?!!!

The good news, if there is any, is that the engine ran perfectly upon initial startup and warm up / and the mocal opened up and let me know of another an12 not sufficiently torqued..

The bad news is that after removing the on-engine oil cooler (bought on pelican Fs) is a pig that #@*%#d me in the sump big time.

Now I have a question. I can't be the first one to get screwed on a good to go oil cooler.

Do I bite the Pelican bullet and pay one thousand seven hundred dollars for a new one while simultaneously funding Wayne's west wing......... of the pelican? Or is there a fix for an internal core leak.

I removed the cooler with the engine in. fun. but ith my Carbon Fiber "tin" easy.

I filled the cooler with dye and carb cleaner (lower viscosity than oil). I pressurized it with compressed air w/ a controllable psi / and low and behold,.... it friggin leaks. Not much,.. but it is now the only leak in my entire system 914-6 oil system.

Is there a service in this country or a way to seal a core leak? As a licensed landscape architect in three states and an experienced environmental planner I know there is no way to seal a leak in the core of a nuclear reactor, but maybe there is an out of cooler experience that will not fuuuk-a-SheMe on this one.......

Any clues are greatly appreciated from this project-end.

cheers

[Joe Bob]

I would try BAT Inc on the east coast. They MAY have a direct replacement or maybe a block off and an external cooler ala the 964 engine? Chuck at Elephant Racing, Clint at Rebel Racing....new of course.

If you want to roll the dice again, Parts Heaven or Easy wold be good sources.....

[dad911]

Radiator shop? One that actually welds aluminum? Some left here in NJ, not sure about your neck of the woods.

[uwanna]

Check out Tasker Metal Products (TMP) in LA. They make a lot of repro Porsche stuff including on engine oil coolers. Pelican used to sell their coolers for a good price, but I no longer see them in stock. Here's a link to their page, scroll down and click on the cooler pic. I at one time had one of their coolers, seemed to be well made, but never used it as it was for an earlier 911. Check them out.
Tasker Metal Products Inc; Restoration Parts for your British and European Cars!

[fanaudical]

In my opinion, Pacific Oil Cooler Services is the "go-to" for cleaning, testing, evaluation, inspection, and repair (if you're lucky). They may be able to fix the one you've got. Very reasonable rates.

Pacific Oil Cooler Service, Inc. - Home

[Catorce]

Send the cooler to Richard Clewett. He'll take care of it.

[Flojo]

My good but late advice: never install a used or even new cooler (of any type) not before having it pressuretested by YOURSELF to have proof. Because the dilemma when leaking is big and much anoying.

What I've allways asked myself: why are new replacement coolers that much expensive?
It cant be magic to produce these.
I guess its only the Porsche plus that adds up

[dfhtrhjn]

A couple notes:
1) Pressure test that **** before you put it in. I've replaced that oil cooler before and it's a huge pain.

2) You can buy used, just pick a place that tests the part and guarantees it. Even ebay has parts places that price well, test their used parts, and offer free returns if they're faulty.