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cleaning Oil Cooler

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2025 10:59 am
by Fanfaniracing
I just found a NOS Oil cooler for a Cooper S for 20.-

As the Cooler stayed the last 40 or so years on a shelf, its covered in dust. unfortunately the connections weren't closed so I am a bit concerned about the dust that went inside.

what's your opinions?

-Use it as it is
-flush it and use it
-don`t use it at all

thanks for the replies

Re: cleaning Oil Cooler

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2025 11:05 am
by Dr.Mabo
I would choose option B.

flush ist and use it.

Re: cleaning Oil Cooler

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2025 11:11 am
by Fanfaniracing
hej Doc!

Thank you for your Quick answer!

What would you flush it with?

Brake cleaner, Hot oil, ATF?

Re: cleaning Oil Cooler

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2025 11:20 am
by GraemeC
Brake cleaner, thinners, petrol - anything that will wash it out well and then evaporate away.
I'd actually be tempted to fill it with your chosen cleaner, seal the ports and leave it for 24hrs to soak. Then flush through.

Re: cleaning Oil Cooler

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2025 12:56 pm
by Peter Laidler
You can sleep soundly knowing that whatever might be left in the cooler after it's been flushed through with whatever you choose to use will soon be on its way to and filtered by the oil filter

Re: cleaning Oil Cooler

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2025 1:19 pm
by gs.davies
Peter Laidler wrote: Fri Feb 07, 2025 12:56 pm You can sleep soundly knowing that whatever might be left in the cooler after it's been flushed through with whatever you choose to use will soon be on its way to and filtered by the oil filter
Apart from when the filter overpressures and bypasses itself..

Re: cleaning Oil Cooler

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2025 5:32 pm
by OzOAP
Ultrasonic

Re: cleaning Oil Cooler

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2025 9:07 pm
by atm92484
My rule is always to replace. There is no way to tell if everything is removed. The repair will cost a lot more than the oil cooler if you get unlucky and miss something.

Re: cleaning Oil Cooler

Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2025 7:46 am
by Fanfaniracing
gs.davies wrote: Fri Feb 07, 2025 1:19 pm
Peter Laidler wrote: Fri Feb 07, 2025 12:56 pm You can sleep soundly knowing that whatever might be left in the cooler after it's been flushed through with whatever you choose to use will soon be on its way to and filtered by the oil filter
Apart from when the filter overpressures and bypasses itself..
for this scenario I always block the overpressure valve or use filter heads that don^t have any

Re: cleaning Oil Cooler

Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2025 11:06 am
by Peter Laidler
I think that we're over complicating this situation. Just flush it through and use it. If you're fretting about the possibility of a blocked filter, just put a new filter on - just to be sure. You could go the whole hog and fit new pipes and..... and..... and.....

You could even pressure test it under water with a cycle pump adaptor if you are still worried. Just use it I say!

Re: cleaning Oil Cooler

Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2025 1:15 am
by OzOAP
atm92484 wrote: Fri Feb 07, 2025 9:07 pm My rule is always to replace. There is no way to tell if everything is removed. The repair will cost a lot more than the oil cooler if you get unlucky and miss something.
New ones are not that clean internally. Ultrasonic one. It's surprising.

Re: cleaning Oil Cooler

Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2025 11:11 pm
by winabbey
OzOAP wrote: Sun Feb 09, 2025 1:15 am
atm92484 wrote: Fri Feb 07, 2025 9:07 pm My rule is always to replace. There is no way to tell if everything is removed. The repair will cost a lot more than the oil cooler if you get unlucky and miss something.
New ones are not that clean internally. Ultrasonic one. It's surprising.
How does one ultrasonic clean the oil cooler? What equipment and method is needed?

Re: cleaning Oil Cooler

Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2025 4:51 pm
by OzOAP
winabbey wrote: Thu Feb 13, 2025 11:11 pm How does one ultrasonic clean the oil cooler? What equipment and method is needed?
Equipment needed...Ultrasonic Machine (20lt size), cleaning fluid, water, electricity supply.
Method...Get machine up to desired temp, normally about 55°, but this depends on what cleaning fluid manufacturers recommend, submerge oil cooler in the fluid, set timer to 20 mins, switch on, have a cup of tea whilst the magic happens...DO NOT USE THE WATER OUT OF THE MACHINE TO MAKE THE TEA!