Oil Coolers and Oil changes

Mike

hmm Dustin,

My fittings are fitted at the bottom and I get a lower reading on the dipstick when it hasn't run than when checking it right after shutting down.

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SPOHN

I assume that has to do with the Thermostatic Sandwich Plate being closed or open during hot and cold periods? Not sure.

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spearfish25

That's interesting Mike. My experience has been the opposite. I spoke with the Mocal guys who said they guarantee the oil will backflow through the sandwich plate if the cooler fittings are down. There are no check valves and the sandwich plate is always at least partially open. Installing the oil pressure gauge was my end-all solution to know if I was too low on oil.

The whole 'priming every time' issue doesn't worry me a bit. First, the prime takes a fraction of a second. Second, any air is forced out since the system runs between 15 and 100psi. Third, the oil coats the engine and provides immediate lubrication unless you've let the car sit for a very extended period of time.

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wstar

From when I talked to Mocal about this ages ago, they said the paths to the oil cooler are actually permanently open. Nothing ever closes over those paths. The thermostatic valve controls the flow passageway that bypasses the cooler, closing it off as temps rise. So yes, it will definitely drain back if gravity allows (bottom fittings).

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