4.6 32V DOHC Oil Cooler - Clean & Reuse or Replace?

[tjm73]

Ok here's the situation.....

A buddy of mine has an '01 Cobra that had a stock engine with a 10psi Procharger. Long story short it has a window to the world in the block now. So he luckily finds what is likely the last N/A Aluminator (to keep his base compression the same as stock). But the Aluminator does not come with the oil cooler.

The guy that is going to do the swap is telling him he can't reuse the oil cooler he has. He needs to buy a new one. I threw the bullshit flag immediately and said disassemble it, wash it with hot water and grease cutting soap (dish detergent). Dry it completely and it'll be good as new. The engine failed without much fan fare and just quit when it ventilated the block. The guy doing the work says you can't clean it good enough. He claims the IF it has any contaminants in it you can't get them out and you don't want them in the new engine.

I agree you don't want contaminates in the oil system, but 100% disagree that it can't be cleaned. This thing is around $400 bucks.

Am I wrong? I don't see how I am. Am I missing something?

 

[t-kid]

I regard it as a rule of thumb to replace an oil cooler and oil filter adapter when replacing a blown motor...

 

[01yellerCobra]

If any metal got into the oil replace the cooler. It's impossible to clean it thoroughly. Spend $300 to save a $6000 motor.

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[stkjock]

Replace it IMO. I did when mine got rebuilt.

 

[silverpoison]

Replace it... rule for us, new fuel filter, oil cooler, injectors at very minimum flow checked, thermostat and water pump!

 

[t-kid]

Just curious, why new injectors?

 

[tjm73]

He'll probably buy a new one, but I cannot believe it's impossible to clean it. I'm gonna ask him for his and clean it anyway.

I'll prove that it either can or cannot be done.

He can ebay it after if he wants.

 

[t-kid]

He'll probably buy a new one, but I cannot believe it's impossible to clean it. I'm gonna ask him for his and clean it anyway.

I'll prove that it either can or cannot be done.

He can ebay it after if he wants.

It's not "impossible" it would just take a lot of time, and you'd never be entirely sure aside from cracking it open and taking a look... might as well buy the new one and get the piece of mind along with it.

 

[tjm73]

It's not like contaminants magically attach themselves to the unit only to magically detach at a later time. Oil flows though to the filter and coolant flows around to pull out some heat.

If you soak and scrub the unit with hot grease cutting, soapy water, I cannot see how it won't get clean.

 

[weather man]

He'll probably buy a new one, but I cannot believe it's impossible to clean it. I'm gonna ask him for his and clean it anyway.

I'll prove that it either can or cannot be done.

He can ebay it after if he wants.

If your wrong, buy new motor, again. Just no way to check that you got everything.

Selling that on ebay, without full disclosure, would be pretty shitty. Not saying you would, but if a guy buys it knowing it came from a blown motor, then its on that guy and not you.

 

[t-kid]

That is why I never buy anything oil related on craigslist/ebay/or really used for that matter. It's too risky.

 

[tjm73]

Hopefully I can get my hands on his and I'll see if it can be disassembled. These are magical items. They are assembled from parts. Depending on how they are assembled they should be able to be disassembled cleaned and reassembled. It's the basis of reconditioned auto parts worldwide.

 

[Wicked97]

Are you talking about the stock oil cooler attached to the block or an aftermarket unit like a trans cooler?

 

[Kaldar142]

I've gone through quite a few engines on various cars, i've always tried the 'cleaning' route and i'm really never able to get everything clean. May as well just replace it, much easier than cleaning. Tons of little metal shards get stuck in the fins... and once you think you've got it clean you find some more

 

[R-Rated]

I would replace. I have tried to clean mine out when i built my motor with a solvent bath and it would always come back dirty. If a motor let go i definitely wouldn't reuse it. Its not worth the risk IMO.

IMO an aftermarket one would work better anyways if you were looking to have the best cooling option.

 

[tjm73]

I would replace. I have tried to clean mine out when i built my motor with a solvent bath and it would always come back dirty. If a motor let go i definitely wouldn't reuse it. Its not worth the risk IMO.

IMO an aftermarket one would work better anyways if you were looking to have the best cooling option.

I had the aftermarket idea on the way home from work. I'll share with my buddy.