Oil Coolers... What's the views on them?

[John Blount 11]

I will be only using my VR6 during the summer months and as we all know they can tend to get a bit hot but mostly on the water side rather than the oil although reading some of the posts on here it seems the oil temps can get into the 120's on some so I was thinking about installing a oil cooler.

 

What's the thoughts on these and has anyone fitted one and noticed a difference in the oil temp for the better? I don't want one for track use etc but I just want one to help the engine out a bit as its 22 years old!

 

I think if I was going to fit one it would be one with a built in thermostat that doesn't open till its 80 degrees plus as the oil would never warm up otherwise.

 

Any positive or negative thoughts??

[seanl82 23]

As long as your cooling system is in good order, I honestly don't see the need. Mine has never gone above 116 degrees, and that was blasting down Bruntingthorpe runway endlessly at 143 mph!

I've changed my rad, heater matrix, water pump and stat, and stock oil cooler/heat exchanger though, so I know mine is healthy. Putting an oil cooler in place may just mask a problem, so I'd suggest ensuring your cooling system is in tip top condition first. :thumbleft:

[Jim 2]

As long as your cooling system is in good order, I honestly don't see the need. Mine has never gone above 116 degrees, and that was blasting down Bruntingthorpe runway endlessly at 143 mph!

I've changed my rad, heater matrix, water pump and stat, and stock oil cooler/heat exchanger though, so I know mine is healthy. Putting an oil cooler in place may just mask a problem, so I'd suggest ensuring your cooling system is in tip top condition first. :thumbleft:

 

I'd agree with this. If the engine is standard, or relatively standard, and you don't drive it like a hooligan, just ensure that your cooling system is in good health and working correctly - there should be no need for an uprated oil cooler really.

 

Also heard comments from some folks who do have oil coolers finding that they're almost too effective in very cool weather, with the oil struggling to get to a good operating temperature! So that's also worth taking into consideration if you use your car all times of year.

[John Blount 11]

Thanks Sean, I've replaced the radiator and stat only a couple of months back although I never changed the water pump as in fairness it's working fine although saying that I've not had the car long so I can't really talk from experience!

 

I did notice a couple of weeks back when I took it to Stealth that if I stopped in some traffic for more than a minute or may be two the stage one fan I think cut in too cool things down. Admittedly it wasn't cold out but it wasn't that hot either does that sound relatively normal for a VR??

Edited May 18, 2016 by John Blount

[Jim 2]

Thanks Sean, I've replaced the radiator and stat only a couple of months back although I never changed the water pump as in fairness it's working fine although saying that I've not had the car long so I can't really talk from experience!

 

I did notice a couple of weeks back when I took it to Stealth that if I stopped in some traffic for more than a minute or may be two the stage one fan I think cut in too cool things down. Admittedly it wasn't cold out but it wasn't that hot either does that sound relatively normal or a VR??

 

I think that's pretty normal behaviour for the VR though be good to hear some other opinions on that. Always found my stage 1 would come in intermittently after some driving then stopping for anything more than a couple of minutes.

[John Blount 11]

I'd agree with this. If the engine is standard, or relatively standard, and you don't drive it like a hooligan, just ensure that your cooling system is in good health and working correctly - there should be no need for an uprated oil cooler really.

 

Also heard comments from some folks who do have oil coolers finding that they're almost too effective in very cool weather, with the oil struggling to get to a good operating temperature! So that's also worth taking into consideration if you use your car all times of year.

 

Thanks Jim, will only be using it when the suns out never in the winter so hopefully it will always be warm. I know of problems in the oil not getting hot enough in cooler conditions hence I was thinking of getting one with a built in stat.

[seanl82 23]

Yeah mine comes on when stopped in traffic for a few minutes. Perfectly normal for that to happen when the engine is up to temp so nothing to worry about. Do you have any history of the water pump being replaced? The impellers are prone to breaking off is all, and they're pretty cheap and easy to replace so I'd say its worth it.

[John Blount 11]

Yeah mine comes on when stopped in traffic for a few minutes. Perfectly normal for that to happen when the engine is up to temp so nothing to worry about. Do you have any history of the water pump being replaced? The impellers are prone to breaking off is all, and they're pretty cheap and easy to replace so I'd say its worth it.

 

I've got no history Sean so I think your right, it did go to a so called specialist for a check over when I brought it and I asked him at the time if it was worth changing and they said not really..

 

I think it's a job I'll do. I'll also replace the secondary pump while I'm at it I think.

[sexybourbon 0]

I wouldnt bother with the aux pump , if its working then leave it , people run with out them anyway its only there to stop hotspots when the engine has been turned off