Thread: Td5 oil cooler catastrophic failure

Hi Hendrick, There is a gasket and a couple of Orings, and yes it is possible that your cooler has failed, I've seen a few fail at low km from electrolysis etc. I'd be removing and inspecting, pressure test the unit and see where to go from there. BTW, the last one I tested it was immersed in fluid and pressurised to 100psi but no signs of a leak. When hot however, it leaked alright Don't take any chances, any pitting or corrrosion visible just chuck it. The results of it failing while running can be very expensive, burst radiator, heater core, all the hoses ruined etc etc

JC

Thanks for that JC, just such an unexpected thing to happen. So does the pitting etc occur in the matrix inside or inside the casing itself? How does the oil cooler work, I had a look at rave, but can't really get a good idea how it works.

Originally Posted by Hendrik

Thanks for that JC, just such an unexpected thing to happen. So does the pitting etc occur in the matrix inside or inside the casing itself? How does the oil cooler work, I had a look at rave, but can't really get a good idea how it works.

Funnily (Well, not really) the pitting was worse on the stainless steel actual element part where the oil escaped into the cooling system (at 70+ psi) The stainless oil element is connected to the alloy housing and sealed with fittings and O rings (These are the common culprit as they can become hard etc) and coolant is circulated around the element. The whole housing is bolted to the block and has the oil pressure light sender unit and the connection to the centrifugal filter housing.

As I said, if in any doubt toss it out. Rovacraft etc should have them for good $$$. They aren't cheap but cheaper than some other manufacturers oil coolers

JC

The coolers do fail.
I was quoted $1100 3 years ago to buy a new one as you can't just uy the cooler but have to uy the whole assemly unless things have changed.

Originally Posted by George130

The coolers do fail.
I was quoted $1100 3 years ago to buy a new one as you can't just uy the cooler but have to uy the whole assemly unless things have changed.

Yes that is still the case Ed, but now can be had for around $950 odd last time I looked. Not sure if anyone is making aftermarket ones yet, but I'd not take the chance

JC

Had a look at some gen ones from LR series, they are around $500, with freight its probably $650-700 landed...which is alright. I am hoping mine is fine, I have spent sooooo much money on this car lately starting to think if its worth keeping it. I am so hoping that this will be end of my issues with this car, as everything has been replaced. Only things left to fail are the water pump, fuel pump and the radiator to catastrophically fail.

Mine has been replaced with a modified one. The people remove the original and replace it with a marine grade aluminium tube. So I was informed. Also it is not so much a cooler more a heater for the cold countries. Cost? $440.

Can find out more if required.

Tony

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Mine has been replaced with a modified one. The people remove the original and replace it with a marine grade aluminium tube. So I was informed. Also it is not so much a cooler more a heater for the cold countries. Cost? $440.

Can find out more if required.

Tony

Yes please, just for peace of mind, mine is getting up in Ks and I feel it won't be long

Baz.