Topic: Using radiator auto cooler for oil cooler

[jfrabat]

For those of you that don't remember, I was toying with the idea of using the automatic transmission cooler part of the radiator as an oil cooler in my Jeep (I have a stick), so I got a sandwich adapter a while back and have had it sitting around for a while.  I now got all the necessary hardware, but I was now thinking on the effects that doing this could have in my oil pressure.

The instructions on the sandwich adapter reads "CAUTION: Do not use sandwich adapter with transmission oil coolers.  Engine oil coolers are designed to flow greater quantities of oil without excessive pressure drop."

Also, I had to get new fittings to the sandwich adapter so that they would match the sizes connectors in the radiator, and the original ones were 9.47mm, the new ones are just 7.30mm (internal diameter; both are SAE sizes, but my caliper is set for meters).

The main reason I want to add this is to help the jeep cool down and protect against overheating when wheeling in mud (the radiator sometimes tends to get covered in mud, and it's easy to overheat; this would give me a little more time before the overheating happens).  So what are your opinions?  Leave things as they are, or go ahead with the cooler?

Felipe

[sharpxmen]

i would just get a oil rad (that can be an external transmission radiator too). i don't think the one in the radiator is restrictive to cause significant pressure drop - it is a double wall cylinder as a matter of fact. if you want to check just blow air from one side and see if you feel that is not free flowing, my guess is would blow thru no problem.

[Bounty Hunter]

I doubt the oil will cool sufficiently to prolong the inevitable overheating when the radiator clogs, the oil is not as efficient at cooling as the coolant.  I don't think it's worth any time or expense to hook up an oil cooler.  I would concentrate on something to keep the mud out of the radiator.

[sharpxmen]

i had a BMW with an oil cooler, at some point i noticed the temps on the oil going up to 120 to 130 celsius, turns out the thermostat in the sandwich adapter went dead. replaced that and never seen it past 100 celsius again. the oil is a problem once gets too hot will lose some of its lubricating properties and that's when excessive wear comes in, on top of that keeping it at a lower temp will also cool the pistons and help with the temps in the chamber. Without a thermostat you run into another problem as it can stay too cold at low outside temps and won't flow fast enough so the one JF got is the way to go.

I would just get a standalone oil cooler and mount it  behind the passenger side headlight or close to the top of the grill in front of the rad, the latter would be exposed to mud so something to think about regarding the location.

[jfrabat]

I'm thinking of leaving it alone for now; I think KISS is the way to go, and an external oil radiator just complicates things.  I liked the idea of having more oil in the system, but I am thinking it's just not worth it anymore...

[sharpxmen]

I'm thinking of leaving it alone for now; I think KISS is the way to go, and an external oil radiator just complicates things.  I liked the idea of having more oil in the system, but I am thinking it's just not worth it anymore...

i want to get me one of those, which one did you end up buying (I asked you before but i forgot) and did you test to see if it fits ok (filter threads i mean)?

[jfrabat]

i want to get me one of those, which one did you end up buying (I asked you before but i forgot) and did you test to see if it fits ok (filter threads i mean)?

The one I got is from eBay (no brand), but it's the one with the thermostat in it.  And no, no test fittings done yet...

[k]

Finally installed one that I purchased a while back from Quadratec that required a sandwich addapter and connected to the front of the stock radiator.  It was simple enough, but did not have a thermostat included.  I have an electric cooling fan that burned up its thermostat and is now turned on manually. This helps as it can be turned off for water crossing and to allow the engine to warm up in the first place.  It has helped mine to run cooler as it is set up for rock crawling, not mudding, so mud build up wasn't the issue I was fighting.