As cooling is vital in an engine to absorb hotness, the oil cooler is a device that is used to take care of that. Oil cooling is the use of engine oil as a coolant to remove excessive heat from internal combustion engines.
Keeping engine components at their normal working temperatures improves performance and extend service life. There should be serious consideration on the oil cooler, though professionals in the field focus on cooling various drivetrain components.
In automobiles, hot engine transfers heat to the oil which latter-on passes through a heat exchanger. This heat exchanger is generally a type of radiator that has been named “oil cooler”. After the hot oil flows through this component and cooled, it then recirculates to absorb the engine’s hotness again.
Today we’ll be looking at the definition, functions, types, working, diagram, advantages and disadvantages of an oil cooler used in an automobile engine.
Contents
1 Oil Cooler Definition
2 Types of Engine Oil Cooler
3 Working principle of an oil cooler
4 Advantages and Disadvantages of Oil Cooler
4.1 Advantages:
4.2 Join our Newsletter
4.3 Disadvantages:
5 Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Oil Cooler
5.1 Leakage of the oil cooler adapter:
5.2 Oil in the cooling system:
5.3 Leakage of engine coolant from oil cooler:
5.4 Coolant in the oil:
5.5 Bad thermostat:
5.6 Kindly Share!
Oil Cooler Definition
An oil cooler is a mechanical device that is used to remove surplus heat from internal combustion engines through a heat-exchanger. The device is used for cooling various mechanical parts using oil. These parts include engine, transmission system and etc.
The oil cooler is in the form of a small radiator located in front of the water-based radiator system. Its primary purpose is to lower the temperature of the vehicle while running. That’s the component works only the vehicle is running. The cooled oil serves a lot of purpose to the high-stress transmission oil. Engines with cooling fans rapidly cool both the water- and oil-based radiator, which is why offer additional benefits.
Because oil cooler function as an additional cooling device, its application to air-cooled engines will dramatically reduce the high temperature. The life of the engine will drastically be increased. Heavier trucks make good use of oil cooler which help to put more strain on the drive train.
The enhancement of cooling efficiently keeps heated engine oil working at cooler temperatures and also reduces the chance of premature breakdown. The breakdown of oil loses the ability to lubricate and to act as a coolant.
Types of Engine Oil Cooler
Engine oil cooler can be generally classified into two types such as oil-to-water and oil-to-air.
Oil-to-water cooler: in these types of oil coolers, the coolant passes through a heat exchanger element of some parts. The coolant is enabled either by adding heat to cold oil or draw heat from excessive hot oil.
Oil-to-air cooler: is a small radiator that enables the engine oil to be cooled directly from an ambient air from the cooling fans. Most of the oil-to-air coolers work with a thermostatically controlled bypass valve that stops the engine oil from passing through the cooler without reaching its desired operating temperature.
The various types of coolers include the basic tube-and-fin style, where the oil is passing through a single or multiple coolers. Some other types may have multiple cooling rows or have a stacked-plate type. Some oil coolers are header-style, where the end tanks are designed like a radiator.
Working principle of an oil cooler
In the working of oil-to-air coolers, they are usually mounted in front of the radiator, although they are of the same shape. This gives the engine oil quick access to coldest fresh air from the cooling fan. In most cases, the oil passes from the engine in the form of a “sandwich” adapter.
This adapter is mounted between the oil filter and the engine block as it allows hot oil to flow through the filter. It then passes through the oil cooler before going backing to the engine for the same process. some of these sandwich adaptors are designed with thermostatic control that disabled oil from flow until it reaches a specific temperature.
Some systems are designed with remote that is a mount for oil filter and an additional adapter that uses the existing oil filter. The existing oil filter mounts to plumb hoses to the cooler and the remote filter base.
There is often an inline thermostat that offers same bypass function. In vehicles where there is no space to mount at the front of the radiator, manufacturers provide coolers elsewhere in the engine. Some even feature their own cooling fan. This design is much like the dry-sump lubrication system.
Watch the video to have more understanding of the oil cooler system:
Advantages and Disadvantages of Oil Cooler
Advantages:
Below are the benefits of oil cooler in an internal combustion engine:
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With a thermostat, oil cooler cools hot oil at an exact temperature.
It ensures proper cooling of oil before circulating.
The temperature of the oil is controlled in the oil-to-water cooler.
Installation of oil coolers is quite easy.
Generally, oil cooler enhances the working of an engine.
It decreases the use of water cooling system as it can be corrosive to the engine.
As oil drastically serves as a coolant, extra coolant tanks, pumps, radiators are eliminated from the engine design.
Oil circulation is efficient and controlled.
Disadvantages:
Despite the good advantages of an oil cooler, some limitations still occur. Below are the disadvantages of the engine part:
Unlike water, the oil may be flammable.
Extra oil is required to operate the oil cooler.
Extra maintenance is must be done.
Thermostat failure will stop the circulation of oil, especially if permanently lock.
Over cooling may occur if the valve is permanently open.
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Oil Cooler
Below are the various symptoms of a bad oil cooler and their prevention:
Leakage of the oil cooler adapter:
There is two Oil cooler adaptor in the system, one connects oil lines to the cooler itself. The other sends cooled oil back into the oil pan. The oil cooler adaptor may fail externally, which may lead to forcing out the engine oil out of the engine.
If the leakage between the adapter is small, then the driver may notice a puddle of engine oil at the bottom part of the engine. There is a possibility to see a stream of oil on the ground behind the vehicle.
You should see your professional mechanic if you see any oil leakage under your engine. The problem can be easily determined and quickly repaired. Serious care should be taken on this leakage failure because the engine as a whole loses full lubrication. This issue could result to increase in the engine temperature and premature wearing of the parts.
Oil in the cooling system:
The oil in cooler adapter may fail internally as you will notice the oil pressure is greater than the cooling system pressure. This occurs when the engine is running, causing the oil to be forced into the cooling system, resulting in a lack of lubrication. The problem can cause intense damage to the engine if care is not taken.
Leakage of engine coolant from oil cooler:
This failure is similar to the first one, caused by an external oil cooler failure to force all the engine coolant out of the engine. whether the leakage is small or large, overheating will eventually occur if issue not fixed.
Larger leakage will waste all the coolant as you will notice a stream of oil pouring out from under the hood of the vehicle. you’ll also need to immediately contact your mechanic in this situation.
Coolant in the oil:
This issue happens when the engine is not running and the cooling system is pressurized. The coolant can be forced from the cooling system into the oil pan. High oil pan levels can damage the engine as the crankshaft slapping the oil as its rotates.
Bad thermostat:
A bad thermostat will either cause overheating or undercooling to the engine. the thermostat is a device that controls the flow of oil into the oil cooler, it opens at a specific temperature of the oil.
If the thermostat fails when it’s close overheating occur because oil circulation stops eventually. And if the thermostat fails when it’s open undercooling occur because the oil keeps flowing continually without absorbing the heat.
Read Everything you need to know about carburettor
In conclusion, we’ve seen that oil coolers assist the engine lubrication system as it removes surplus heat from the engine parts. We examined the working, functions and types which include oil-to-water and oil-to-air cooler. Oil cooler advantages and disadvantages were also revealed.
I hope the knowledge is attained, if so, kindly comment, share and recommend this site to other technical students. Thanks!
Also check:
Things you need to Know about Automobile Radiators
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An oil cooler is a separate, smaller radiator to an engine's main radiator, which maintains an oil supply at a consistent, optimal temperature. Its purpose is to cool the oil passing through the coils, thus improving the engine and the transmission's lifetime. They are situated in front of an engine's cooling system.
There are two basic types of oil coolers: tube and fin, and plate or stacked plate, which works the same way but employs a different architecture with more surface area.
The oil is going to enter the oil cooler while its temperature is still high. Inside the cooler, the oil will move around the pipes that are fitted with fins that release heat. Once the oil is processed, it will leave the cooler at a temperature that is already colder. This cycle will continue repeatedly.
In automobiles, hot engine transfers heat to the oil which latter-on passes through a heat exchanger. This heat exchanger is generally a type of radiator that has been named “oil cooler”.
There are two types of oilcoolers, cooled by air and cooled by liquid: Cooled by air: They are heat exchangers where oil flows. They use the same working principle that uses a radiator; hot oil flows for some tubes with fins that join them.
As the air passes through the catch can filter, any oil particles are trapped in the filter element and pool together into larger droplets before falling into the bottom of the catch can. Most catch cans are fitted with a drain plug to remove this oil catchment periodically.
Usually, they are placed where they can receive maximum airflow such as in front of or behind the radiator or fans. Oil coolers attach to an adapter near the oil filter to ensure adequate pressure through the system.
Over time the gasket can fail due to age and everyday use. Defective components can come into play. Oil cooler gaskets can be defective directly from the factory. Loose seals can cause leaks.
If you require oil cooler replacement, you can expect the average cost to be from $200 and $700, yet some specialty models might exceed even the high end. If your engine oil cooler is mounted low at the front of the engine bay, it's more likely to be damaged due to an impact.
Normally, you want your engine oil to be between 220-250 degrees Fahrenheit. Past 275 degrees it will start to break down. But the “At Oil Temp” light actually refers to your transmission oil—which should generally stay at or below 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Submerge the oil cooler in a tank of water. Pressurize the oil cooler, using the compressed air supply, to approximately 0.8 bar (12 psi). Look for evidence of air bubbles coming from the oil cooler.If bubbles are present, replace the cooler element.
In passenger cars, the oil cooler is made by aluminium brazed with aluminium-brazing filler metals. Most oil coolers used in heavy commercial vehicles (HCV) are made of stainless steel. Here, the most common method is to braze the component with a copper foil.
Also known as a swamp cooler, a car cooler is a type of device that is used to help cool the air in a vehicle. This type of evaporative cooler is normally mounted on one of the windows of the vehicle and aids in lowering the temperature of the interior space using the process of evaporation.
An oil pressure gauge is an instrument that monitors the oil pressure in your vehicle. This instrument not only tells you how much oil remains in your vehicle, but it is also an indicator of the general health of your engine.
The Oil Level Indicator (OLI) was developed in response to the need of maintenance professionals to gauge the oil level inside large tanks, gearboxes and reservoirs.
The air compressor cooler is a heat exchanger used to cool the lubricating oil flowing from the oil separator, which reduces the oil temperature for reuse.
A Hydraulic Oil Cooler is quite simply a device used for the cooling of Hydraulic Oil, usually in Hydraulic Power Packs but they can also be used on Power Washers, Engines and almost anything where there is hot oil to be cooled.
Modine aluminum bar-plate oil coolers are applied when a high degree of durability is required for the vehicle or machine. With a strong aluminum core construction and welded cast aluminum tanks, our bar-plate oil coolers can withstand extreme operating conditions.
Catch cans or oil separators are efficient methods of cleaning the blow by gas, before it gets re-circulated through your motor, and can significantly reduce the build up of oil and carbon in your motor.
A catch can is recommended if you aren't proactive in decarbonizing your engine, and maintaining clean piston rings, as it will help prevent some problems. If you decide that a catch can is good insurance, and worth the expense, definitely buy only a quality one.
The vast majority of leaks are due to degraded engine gaskets, oil pan leaks, oil seals or bad connections. Crawl under the car and check the oil pan seals. While you're there also check the oil pan drain plug.
Oil-Cooled Engines help maintain the viscosity and lubrication of the oil through an optimal operating temperature. To do this, the oil is circulated between an oil cooler and is cooled by the flowing air, that, in turn, cools down the engine oil.
An oil cooler is a component that looks like a small cross-flow heat exchanger. To make it more efficient, it can be positioned in varying places in the engine depending on where it is deemed to be suitable. The oil inside the cooler will help to keep the optimal temperature range of the engine and its parts.
When an oil cooler fails, it can force all the coolant out of the engine and raise the risk of an overheated engine, which may lead to possible engine damage. If the leak is significant, you'll notice coolant on the ground or see steam gushing out from underneath the hood.
The Industry Standard for repairing old, leaking oil coolers used to be epoxy applied directly to the area of the leak (although at Pacific Oil Cooler Service, Inc., we have never used epoxy to repair a leaking oil cooler – we perform all repairs using only an appropriate Inert-Gas type weld).
Q: Can you drive a car with oil in Coolant? Oil and coolant have different passage routes, and thus, driving a car with oil in coolant but no coolant in oil can cause catastrophic engine damage. This can damage your entire engine leading to costly engine repair or complete engine replacement.
you do not need a cooler. You can always bypass an OEM oil cooling system and install an aftermarket system but in your circ*mstances if it is properly installed, the OEM system is fine.
In performance cars – especially track racers and rally cars – oil cooling is extremely important due to the amount of heat transferring into the fluid from the constant flat-out driving and high-powered engines.
An oil cooler like # D15604 should provide you with a drop in your water temperatures. Most likely it would be a drop between 10-20 degrees but it really depends on the vehicle and how much airflow the cooler gets.
Submerge the oil cooler in a tank of water. Pressurize the oil cooler, using the compressed air supply, to approximately 0.8 bar (12 psi). Look for evidence of air bubbles coming from the oil cooler.If bubbles are present, replace the cooler element.
Normally, you want your engine oil to be between 220-250 degrees Fahrenheit. Past 275 degrees it will start to break down. But the “At Oil Temp” light actually refers to your transmission oil—which should generally stay at or below 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
When an oil cooler fails, it can force all the coolant out of the engine and raise the risk of an overheated engine, which may lead to possible engine damage. If the leak is significant, you'll notice coolant on the ground or see steam gushing out from underneath the hood.
In most cases the oil cooler can be mounted between the main radiator and the grille for maximum airflow. But on some cars you may have to mount it low down behind the front valance. Some coolers have to be mounted upright; others can be on their side or even upside down.
The Industry Standard for repairing old, leaking oil coolers used to be epoxy applied directly to the area of the leak (although at Pacific Oil Cooler Service, Inc., we have never used epoxy to repair a leaking oil cooler – we perform all repairs using only an appropriate Inert-Gas type weld).
The most common cause of oil in the coolant reservoir is due to a blown head gasket or a cracked oil/coolant heat exchanger. It can also be caused by a faulty transmission cooler. In rare cases, it happens because of cracks in the engine.
An oil cooler is a component that looks like a small cross-flow heat exchanger. To make it more efficient, it can be positioned in varying places in the engine depending on where it is deemed to be suitable. The oil inside the cooler will help to keep the optimal temperature range of the engine and its parts.
An oil cooler is a type of radiator that uses oil as a coolant. As the oil cools the object in question, it absorbs the heat. It then gets passed through a cooler, and back to the hot object. This is a continuous cycle, offering a steady cooling rate to your item.
A radiator that makes use of the coolant is known as an oil cooler or intercooler. The heat is absorbed by the oil as it cools the object in the issue. It is then routed via a chiller before being returned to the heated item.
The most important engine oil cooler benefit is that it takes away the surplus heat from the engine oil. The engine oil needs airflow to take away the excess heat. Therefore, having more airflow is always better. Cooling also depends on the difference in temperature between air and oil.
Most passenger cars are perfectly fine with oil temps up to 240-260 degrees F *utilizing the OEM recommended oil weight*, with some being designed to handle temps up to 315 Degrees F and higher!
Optimum performance, for both economy and power, is achieved at temperatures around 100-107 degrees C (210-225 degrees F). Up to 120 degrees C (250 degrees F) is OK if a decent oil is used, but getting a little warm.
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