Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:33:54 -0700
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: I am considering installing an auxiliary oil cooler
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="utf-8"; reply-type=original
any decent air type oil cooler system..
will have oil flow controlled by a thermostat.
like when cold, the oil isn't cooled by the oil cooler at all.
I just put a super nice air type oil cooler onto a 91 Syncro with 2.1 (
actually 2.2 ) waterboxer engine .
this came from tencentlife on theSamba ..
Chris Corkin .
comes in 3 versions I think , his kit ...1.9 wbxr, 2.1 2WD and Sycrno.
I installed the top grade syncro one.
nice black oil radiator, about 8 or 10 inches sqare,
fits right behind the right tail light, comes with parts on it to make it
fit perfectly there.
has a sandwich plate adapter at the oil cooler .......which is where the
t-stat is.
the deluxe syncro version has a temp triggered electric fan on it.
and nice blue oil lines to connect it all.
the deluxe version I think is over 500 bucks though if you buy this
ready-to-bolt on kit.
if you buy the indifvidual parts online yourself and build it, costs less
I'm sure.
that it's all figured out, tested, and with very good instructions is sure
nice though...getting a kit that's all ready to install.
for a first step on my own vans I'm going to monitor oil pressure and temp
..
and if I find the oil temp getting to ...like pushing 250F ..then I know it
needs a real oil cooler for hot conditions.
a manual valve is not right.
do it right. Thermostat controlled oil coolers have been around for a long,
long time.
Every air-cooled Porsche 911 has one, built right into the block.
the water heat exchanger on 2.1 wbxr engines is a little different ..
it serves to help warm up the oil first, them when not serves to keep the
temp down a little I beleive.
some people fit bigger water type oil cooler/heat exchangers ...
like on tdi engines ...instead of the normal size we are used to on 21.
wbxr's ..
they put on a much taller one from a Tourareg or various Audi models.
but for 'real' oil cooling , for high temps and loads..
I'd say ..thermostatically controlled air type external oil cooler ..and
mounted inside the body of the van, with decent air flow to it.
they are another possible failure point, but done really well, there's not
that much risk.
The kit I put on sure looks solidly done.
scott
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Mcneely" <mcneely4@COX.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2010 8:13 AM
Subject: I am considering installing an auxiliary oil cooler
> on my "91 Volkswagen Vanagon GL Campmobile 2.1 waterboxer.
>
> It occurred to me that if the oil cooler works well, the oil might run too
> cool when ambient temperatures are relatively low. Is it possible (and
> practical, reasonable) to install a valve in the feed line for the cooler
> (and maybe another in the return line) that could be opened and closed
> depending on need? I realize that this would create an additional
> complication -- that it would be another point for possible failure. Or
> am I just trying to over engineer something? Anyone with experience with
> an auxiliary oil cooler might know if I am trying to solve a problem that
> doesn't exist. Maybe the oil would have no problem running hot enough,
> even with the extra cooling capacity.
> Thanks, DMc
> --
> David McNeely