To cool or not to cool...

**Leo109** · 11th March 2009, 06:23 PM

Hi All,

I may have the opportunity to retro-fit my '97 300Tdi manual Discovery with a transmission oil cooler from a similar vintage manual V8 (both R380 boxes, post the cross-drilled main shaft modification).

Our 300Tdi with non-cooled R380 has done 272,000 km, including lots of towing of caravans up to 2.3T. It's had regular oil changes and doesn't have more than the usual amont of steel 'fluff' on the drain plug magnet at each change. (Been using Castrol VMX80 in it for the last few years with good gear change characteristics.)

So, Gurii of such matters, is it worth the effort and all the extra potential points of leakage to convert my R380 to have the external cooler? Or should I just keep using it as is and overhaul it if and when it needs it?

In a similar vein, would anyone recommend re-racing an R380 at these kms, just as a preventative maintenance measure? Or is it likely to need more than just bearings, thrust washers, etc. sometime soon-ish anyway?

As always, thanks to those who've been down this or similar roads before. As they say, experience is that property you often acquire just a few minutes after you needed it most...

Ian

**rick130** · 11th March 2009, 06:44 PM

Ian, the cooler is standard on all the TD5's and as you said, the V8's, which to me says it all.
Having pointed that out, I still haven't fitted mine that I acquired a number of years ago now.....

(I cheated and just run a 'different' oil

)

<edit> I should have said export vehicles, as European spec Landies don't get the g/box oil cooler, yet Spain, Southern Italy, etc are damned hot in Summer too)

**Leo109** · 12th March 2009, 08:11 AM

Thanks Rick. Perhaps I should collect all the parts, if I can, for later fitting - i.e. after doing-up the 'box at some later date.

Wouldn't be the first time I've acquired parts that I intend to fit "any year now"...

Ian

**BilboBoggles** · 12th March 2009, 09:54 AM

Are these R380 coolers standard on TD5's? Certainly the thermostat and pipe work is there - it even runs to the front of the vehicle - but then does a U turn and returns. From what I've seen the V8 is the only one where they fitted a cooler as standard.

**rick130** · 12th March 2009, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by BilboBoggles

Are these R380 coolers standard on TD5's? Certainly the thermostat and pipe work is there - it even runs to the front of the vehicle - but then does a U turn and returns. From what I've seen the V8 is the only one where they fitted a cooler as standard.

The pipe is still a cooler, it's just not as efficient a heat exchanger as a dimple plate or tube and fin type.

Most 300Tdi's have no t/stat housing or pipe work, just a transfer plate on the side of the 'box.

**Leo109** · 12th March 2009, 07:12 PM

Originally Posted by rick130

The pipe is still a cooler, it's just not as efficient a heat exchanger as a dimple plate or tube and fin type.

Most 300Tdi's have no t/stat housing or pipe work, just a transfer plate on the side of the 'box.

The cooler I'm talking about from the D1A V8 is a horizontal pipe about 600 mm long covered with wire loop 'bottle brush' finning. It seemed to run along below and in front of the air con condenser (bit hard to be specific 'cause it's off a wreck).

[Strangely enough, even though this vehicle took a good hit in the front, the air bags didn't deploy and, despite being well crushed and bent, the air con still holds gas and worked when the engine was started!]

Ian

PS: Rick, has your Good Lady seen you latest 'signature'? I presume she DID see the previous one and vetoed it! Ian

**Slunnie** · 12th March 2009, 07:25 PM

This type...

**rick130** · 12th March 2009, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by Leo109

<snip>

PS: Rick, has your Good Lady seen you latest 'signature'? I presume she DID see the previous one and vetoed it! Ian

No and no, but I reckoned I was living on borrowed time

**Leo109** · 12th March 2009, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by Slunnie

This type...

Yeah, that's the one! The Poms must have some very deep bottles to need bottle-brushes that long...

Ian

**rick130** · 12th March 2009, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by Slunnie

This type...

<snip>

That'd be the one.

Land Rover have used a few different styles over the years, including one that looks like a proper Earls/Setrab/Mocal cooler mounted between the bonnet supports on Defenders.

Have a look in the EPC (and I'm guessing Microcat, if they are still listed) there are a at least three types there.

I have the t/stat adapter and cooler pipes but no cooler or brackets, and I still can't quite work out what sort of OE cooler my pipes suit, but I'm suspecting the dunny brush type.

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