Question about engine oil cooler?

flash7210 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 21, 2015 2:51 pm

I already know what you guys are gonna say...
"Why would you want to do that?"
But hear me out.

I'm thinking about removing the liquid-to-oil cooler from the side of the block and replacing it with a air-to-oil cooler in front of the radiator.
My questions are:
How is the oil routed from the block and through the cooler?
Does it flow from the pump, to the cooler, then through the rest of the engine?
Does the factory oil cooler use a thermostat? Should it?
Any good reason why I shouldn't do this?

Yes I know that the factory oil cooler works but if just seems like a potential point of failure that can lead coolant being dumped into the oil.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sat Feb 21, 2015 3:25 pm

If your email address hasn't changed I just sent you an oil flow PDF. I suspect doing this is a lot more trouble than it's worth and I know it would involve a lot of plumbing to get from point A to B.

Mountainman · **Posted:** Sat Feb 21, 2015 3:46 pm

There are 3 big ports in the side of the block. It would be pretty tough to fab up something to deliver oil up to the radiator, and it would have to be flexible. It would be a vastly more failure prone mod, and then you wouldn't have water in your oil, you'd have no oil pressure and a toasted engine, like when the turbo blows up. If the mechanical fan hub bearing blows up, it could cut the line in half in an instant, and with our oil pressure sensor down at the oil filter, the engine would likely be garbage by the time you get a light.
Since it hasn't been a common problem, or ever a problem, I wouldn't worry about that little guy that is safely tucked up against the block. Maybe check the torque on the little nuts that hold it in place though.

But, if you want a cool, very useful mod to try. I was dreaming about a piston device that fills with oil as the engine runs, and then drains that oil back across the turbo bearings when you shut it down (no more waiting for it to cool), and someone on here pointed me to a device that does exactly that, too bad I didn't write it down. Anyhow, they have them for race cars I think, and they're about $200 if I remember right. Sure would be nice to not have to sit in the Jeep for 3 minutes when you hop off the freeway when you'd really like to go pee instead (or chance getting it stolen, or have to carry an extra key)! It would save fuel too, and you'd never have to explain why you have to sit there all that time with your rig running.
It might be tough to get the lines right for this...

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Sun Feb 22, 2015 1:03 am

What you are talking about is called an "Accusump" and is made by Mecca in Connecticut. They come in many sizes and eliminate starting without full oil pressure. It will also maintain oil pressure when there are short drops in pressure during operation like when the oil sloshes away from the pickup tube. However, it is normally switched off just BEFORE turning off the motor so it is filled and fully pressurized for the next cold start.

So, if you use it to maintain pressure AFTER shutdown, you would lose the precharge for the next cold start. The other option is an auxiliary electric oil pump called a "pre-oiler".

DOC

Mountainman · **Posted:** Sun Feb 22, 2015 1:28 am

ah, ok, that makes sense, Thanks for clearing that up. The additional pump makes a lot more sense if you could make it run oil through the turbo without too much trouble? hmm

gmctd · **Posted:** Sun Feb 22, 2015 1:33 am

'Nuther one specifically for the turbocharger is TURBO-SAVER, an in-line accumulator that dumps it's oil load into the turbo cartridge after engine oil pressure drops off at IGN OFF - or whenever the crank stops turning

Mountainman · **Posted:** Sun Feb 22, 2015 1:45 am

Thanks Gmctd! I have the perfect spot to mount it with my gutted AC parts. hmm, now my diesel can be wife friendly, or she can be friendly to it

thermorex · **Posted:** Sun Feb 22, 2015 2:22 pm

Flash, I know you said it but I'd still like to ask "why would you do that?". Lol. The system you want to do is already used by the 30+ years old Mercedes om617 (5 cyl indirect injection 3.0 turbo diesel). There is an oil radiator mounted in front of the engine on the side of the coolant radiator. Also, mishimoto (and other manufacturers) have oil coolers with thermostatically controlled "sandwich plate" adapters, so you can just pay 3-500 for one of those systems and just mount it to the Crd. Summit sells tons of oil coolers, you can always look on their website and then try finding a better deal on Amazon or Ebay.

Why I would not use an approach like the one above on the Crd:
1. Space considerations for the oil cooler. There is just not too much space where you may comfortably install an oil cooler. Looking to the size of the om617 oil cooler, that thing is huge. I'm using the om617 example as I know it's a decent cooler. Also, any aftermarket coolers should be sized properly to this engine. I personally believe you don't need a big cooler though because:
2. The temperature of the oil in normal driving for Crd with stock cooler never passes 180-190. If you drive hundreds of miles you'll get around 200 tops. You'll see over 220 if you tow a lot in the summer or if you go miles and miles of uphill roads in highway speeds in hot temperatures. But even like this, you won't see more than 230 normally, which for a good synthetic oil is no problem at all. When oil gets warmer it becomes thinner and this increases the flow, so you may see lower oil pressure but if the oil is even at 250, that is still a safe temperature and an increased oil flow, so no worries about damaging the engine.
3. You want the oil to reach around 220 every now and then as this is how you "burn" any condensation caused in your engine oil. What you don't want is to go pass 250-ish too often. I think you really have to try very hard to achieve this on the Crd. And if you have an oil temp gauge, you can always let it down a bit.

If you do decide going with an aftermarket cooler, make sure you get a thermostatically controlled good brand, as you want to go with at least 160 degrees in the oil (this is the temperature where the oil starts to get "close" to the "optimal" fluidity for 100 degrees Celsius.

Question about engine oil cooler?

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