Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (October 2002, week 1)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Fri, 4 Oct 2002 00:57:12 EDT
Reply-To:     FrankGRUN@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Frank Grunthaner <FrankGRUN@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: More Cooling System/ now oil coolers/ more detail
Comments: To: kdlewis@juno.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 10/3/02 3:43:05 AM, kdlewis@juno.com writes:

<< I have been contemplating the installation of an oil cooler in my 230K mile+ crewcab. Especially after installing oil temp and pressure gauges! The part I have not worked out in my mind is the need for the oil-to-water heat exchanger if I do install the cooler. It seems to me the plumbing sandwich adapter would fit perfectly in the place of this exchanger. What are your thoughts? >>

Ken,

In the past, I did several measurements monitoring how fast the coolant temperature came up to operational levels and how quickly the oil temperature exceeded 180 F. In each case, I used the same course from my home to the freeway, and then cruised the freeway in 4th at 40 mph. Typically in the early morning on Saturday on my way to my Junkyard Constitutional. I don't have the numbers in front of me but it was incontestable that both liquids warmed up significantly faster with liquid/liquid heat exchanger. I was also surprised at how effective the cooler was for reducing oil temperatures. Good for more than 35 degrees F as I recall.

In my current setup, I use a thermostat takeoff plate to hold the liquid/liquid exchanger in place. The details are all in the archives, but I run the hot oil into the Mazda remote then to the remote oil filter and back to the block. Steel reinforced 3/4 inch ID oil lines. I also have always used the Volvo 760 TD oil filter as it is the very largest I could find. I think some of my engine compartment pictures are on Alistair Bell's site and the remote oil filter system should be readily seen. BTW, the Mazda RX-7 external oil cooler has a thermostatic bypass circuit so I don't use one on the takeoff plate. Works like a charm.

For the Audi turbo 3A project, I've worked up an even better system. It turns out that the 5000T (turbo) has impressed me with its engineering for some time. Not as amazing as the 944T, but close enough. Anyway, the early 5000T had an oil filter adapter and external oil cooler assembly that I liked. It uses two oil filters (2), and has the integrated oil temperature thermostat and pressure bypass that is part of VW's Euro GTi package with external oil cooler. Anyway, I've built an interface to the Audi 3A oil filter bracket (same as the Fox, Quantum, Audi 4000 8V filter mounts) (it will work for the G/J version too) that mounts the Audi oil filter/external cooler adapter. It includes a liquid to liquid cooler for each oil filter. Looks so complex, no Jiffy Lube dude will be able to think of doing anything except trying to add gas to the oil filler tube!. Anyway, I am mounting two stock Audi 5000T external oil coolers in the passenger side area behind the tire. All explained in the archives, as is the mini sump for the turbo, the scavenger pump to circulate the oil from the turbo to its oil cooler and back to the crankcase. I also detail in the archives the low pressure vacuum pump I am using to evacuate the crankcase for less aeration.

In a few weeks, I hope to have the tests done on the baffling chambers I've designed for the diesel oil pan to complement the windage tray. All of these issues contribute to effective thermal management and hopefully engine longevity. Now, if only something could be done about the transmission!

So, blither, I think the liquid/liquid exchanger/cooler should be kept but supplemented by the external unit (thermal fan control also).

Frank Grunthaner


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.