Oil changes with coolers?

wstar · 04-23-2009, 12:20 AM

I asked this question in a couple of mfg-/install- specific threads, but I haven't seen any answers. I've never had to install a separate oil cooler on a car before, and I want to know how this affects oil changes. How do you get the oil out of the cooler on drain? How do you get the car + cooler refilled?

Obviously I could just figure it out some gimpy way, like blowing the oil out of the cooler with a compressed air line, and pumping it back into there with some kind of fluid pump, but there must be a better/standard answer for how people deal with this right?

alan93rsa · 04-23-2009, 07:44 AM

You could mount the cooler with the fill/return lines down which would allow it to drain up to the point where you reach level with the engine oil return.

The option of purging the lines is not out of the question. There are a few options out there for adding a fitting to purge the lines.

Most cars I have seen with oil coolers typically have the fittings up and there appears to be no concern about the quart or so that remains.

If you knew that you had done a good job of cooling the oil it wouldn't be too difficult to disconnect the lines at the sandwich adapter and purge the cooler.

KillerBee370 · 04-26-2009, 09:07 AM

I was told not to worry about the small amount of oil that remains in the cooler and just change the oil as you normally would. Sounds reasonable.

04-23-2009, 12:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3594	Oil changes with coolers? I asked this question in a couple of mfg-/install- specific threads, but I haven't seen any answers. I've never had to install a separate oil cooler on a car before, and I want to know how this affects oil changes. How do you get the oil out of the cooler on drain? How do you get the car + cooler refilled? Obviously I could just figure it out some gimpy way, like blowing the oil out of the cooler with a compressed air line, and pumping it back into there with some kind of fluid pump, but there must be a better/standard answer for how people deal with this right? __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

04-23-2009, 07:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
alan93rsa Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 412 Drives: 16 Cayman GT4 Red Rep Power: 220	You could mount the cooler with the fill/return lines down which would allow it to drain up to the point where you reach level with the engine oil return. The option of purging the lines is not out of the question. There are a few options out there for adding a fitting to purge the lines. Most cars I have seen with oil coolers typically have the fittings up and there appears to be no concern about the quart or so that remains. If you knew that you had done a good job of cooling the oil it wouldn't be too difficult to disconnect the lines at the sandwich adapter and purge the cooler. __________________ 16 Cayman GT4, Carmine Red, Buckets, PCCB etc.

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04-26-2009, 09:07 AM	#3 (permalink)
KillerBee370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: So Cal baby! Age: 52 Posts: 5,964 Drives: with passion Rep Power: 321	I was told not to worry about the small amount of oil that remains in the cooler and just change the oil as you normally would. Sounds reasonable.