[W126 Coupe] Engine Oil Cooler

[kirk erichsen]

I'd wager that the desert SW of the US would mirror the average temperatures found in much of Australia. There is a reason old cars stored in these environments have relatively little rust and an abundance of peeled paint and cracked interiors. ;)
The oil coolers found on W126 diesels if removed just seem to work the conventional water coolant system a bit harder. The oil cooler used for the diesels appears to be of identical capacity and configuration to those used on the gasoline cars, when fitted. An average of perhaps 7-10 degree hotter engine temps is all that I have observed. Assuming a fan clutch that hasn't ruptured and a well maintained cooling system (frequent coolant drains, thermostat replacements and use of a high pressure hose to blast out the dead nats from the radiator fins performed annually), it may not be worth the bother. 
If the issue is the longevity of the engine oil at elevated temperatures vs. engine running temperature, I would suggest that modern semi-synthetic and full synthetic engine oils can help address that dilemma. I myself use 15w-40/15w-50 full synthetic heavy duty diesel oils for these reasons and more, on gas engines and diesels alike. However, I don't much subscribe to the super-long extended drain intervals often advertised with new fangled synthetic oils and have stayed below 5000K avg miles (yes, miles, not those johnny-come-lately kilometers :). Frequent drains and better oils further obviates the need for direct cooling of the oil circuit. 
It's my understanding that some years of the same model were shipped with the previously fitted oil coolers omitted because the engineers felt that these cars would do just fine without them. An easy test is to block the supply line to the cooler and compare engine running temperatures before and after.
If the hoses have rotted but oil cooler heat exchanger unit is still serviceable, you can remove the hoses and take them to be remade with suitable 300PSI or better smooth hose at the same hydraulic hose shops described in a previous message in regard to remaking power steering hoses discussed a couple of weeks ago. 
-K

-------------------------
Kirk R. Erichsen
-------------------------



Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2011 15:00:35 -0500
From: dick.spellman at gmail.com
To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com
Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Engine Oil Cooler



  


    
  
  
    Hi Michael,

    

    You may be able to locate the MB factory oil filter base housing for
    the Australia market that has the ported coolant inlet/outlet.  You
    then need to add the connector tube from the heads and the two
    special hoses.  I have this inter-cooler as stock on my 1986 300SE
    Euro. 

    

    I don't know if it adds any cooling value in North America but,
    presume the ambient air temps are considerably warmer in AUS and
    there is some benefit. 

    

    -\Dick

    

     

    

    

    

    On 3/4/2011 12:19 PM, Michael Clare wrote:
    
      
      
      
      
        Has anyone tapped out the ports on the US
          Oil Filter housings and installed an external oil cooler?
         
        If so how/where did you mount and how well
          is it working for you?
        l,
      
    
    

    

    
      
         

          
        Michael
            Clare
         
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