Setrab Oil Cooler failure

ltullos · 04-12-2021, 01:54 PM

I purchased the Z1 34 row Setrab oil cooler kit in 2013 and discovered it has developed an internal leak. The attached photo shows (viewed through fascia) shows oil stains (dark area) vs normal area (top right).

I was really shocked it would fail this way rather than at fittings, as there is no impact damage, has had regular oil changes, usually before each track event, and only ~32K miles of which 3K are track miles. Just wondering if anyone else has seen this. I ordered a replacement from pitstopusa today for $330 saving the tax & shipping that Z1 charges.

Spooler · 04-12-2021, 04:51 PM

Not sure if that is a Setrab or not. That ding on the left, round indention, is throwing me off. That might be why it is leaking. It happens. They also sale the Mocal core. The Setrab is extra.

Quicksilvers · 04-14-2021, 09:05 AM

Core failure can not only happen internally but at the fittings or externally from damage. I do see the round indentation on the left side that could have came from a small rock or something like that. Any oil cooler brand core can possibly fail it’s something you have to keep than eye on. I purchased a Mocal core before and it leaked internally after inspecting after a track event I attended. You will know if you see a dark/black oil coating in the front of the core. All you can do is replace the core and check the fittings and replace them if necessary it’s not worth an oil leak. If you do need to replace your oil core shop around there are alot of vendors that are willing to give you a competitive price on it. Z1 is not the only vendor that can sell you a replacement oil cooler core. Good luck with your next core it is required to remove debris etc. from the front of your oil cooler core as well as the radiator too you don’t want anything blocking it if possible.

ltullos · 04-14-2021, 01:55 PM

That round indention you see is a screw head for the aluminum u-channels I mounted on it to mount a block-off plate I use in the winter as shown in attached pic. I made certain that this did not penetrate anywhere near the cooling area.

Spooler · 04-14-2021, 04:57 PM

Cool, sometimes you hit something and that is all she wrote. Time for a new one.

BettyZ · 04-27-2021, 11:08 PM

It's sold by Z1. 'Nuff said.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

04-12-2021, 01:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
ltullos Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: DFW Posts: 312 Drives: 2016 Nismo Tech MT Rep Power: 14	Setrab Oil Cooler failure I purchased the Z1 34 row Setrab oil cooler kit in 2013 and discovered it has developed an internal leak. The attached photo shows (viewed through fascia) shows oil stains (dark area) vs normal area (top right). I was really shocked it would fail this way rather than at fittings, as there is no impact damage, has had regular oil changes, usually before each track event, and only ~32K miles of which 3K are track miles. Just wondering if anyone else has seen this. I ordered a replacement from pitstopusa today for $330 saving the tax & shipping that Z1 charges.

04-14-2021, 09:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
Quicksilvers A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2017 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,039 Drives: 2017 370z Rep Power: 25463	Core failure can not only happen internally but at the fittings or externally from damage. I do see the round indentation on the left side that could have came from a small rock or something like that. Any oil cooler brand core can possibly fail it’s something you have to keep than eye on. I purchased a Mocal core before and it leaked internally after inspecting after a track event I attended. You will know if you see a dark/black oil coating in the front of the core. All you can do is replace the core and check the fittings and replace them if necessary it’s not worth an oil leak. If you do need to replace your oil core shop around there are alot of vendors that are willing to give you a competitive price on it. Z1 is not the only vendor that can sell you a replacement oil cooler core. Good luck with your next core it is required to remove debris etc. from the front of your oil cooler core as well as the radiator too you don’t want anything blocking it if possible. KapitalZ and Sharad909 like this. __________________ Mr. Clean

04-27-2021, 11:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
BettyZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Chicagoland Age: 38 Posts: 5,261 Drives: A Garage Queen Rep Power: 2684371	It's sold by Z1. 'Nuff said. Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk JARblue and Quicksilvers like this. __________________ '14 MB Nismo \| Boost Lab 6870 1.32 AR 553 HP / 471 ft.-lbs. Betty Mods

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04-12-2021, 04:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
Spooler A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Ga Posts: 13,830 Drives: 2013 Nismo 370z Rep Power: 2684392	Not sure if that is a Setrab or not. That ding on the left, round indention, is throwing me off. That might be why it is leaking. It happens. They also sale the Mocal core. The Setrab is extra.

04-14-2021, 01:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
ltullos Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: DFW Posts: 312 Drives: 2016 Nismo Tech MT Rep Power: 14	That round indention you see is a screw head for the aluminum u-channels I mounted on it to mount a block-off plate I use in the winter as shown in attached pic. I made certain that this did not penetrate anywhere near the cooling area.

04-14-2021, 04:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
Spooler A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Ga Posts: 13,830 Drives: 2013 Nismo 370z Rep Power: 2684392	Cool, sometimes you hit something and that is all she wrote. Time for a new one.