Oil cooler

[PaulAmes]

OK,

Think I have allready paraded myself as being stupid when it comes to cars on this site. However - oil coolers - what are they for and do I need one for my honda 1.6?

Paul

[Geehawk]

An oil cooler is basically a radiator for the oil. Used to keep the oil cooler and thus stop it thinning out too much.

If the car an engine came out did not have one then its probably not going to be necessary. This is unless of course you are driving your car really (and I mean REALLY!) hard.

Fitting one to a car that does not need it can mean the oil does not get up to its ideal operating temperature, and thus can do more harm than good. If one is fitted then its best to have it controlled by a thermosat (like the cooling sytem is), so that oil will not flow through a cooler until it hits a certain temperature.

So in summary. No you probably dont need one for your engine.

Graham

Just as a matter of interest re your leading comment. What made you go this route as an introduction to cars, engines etc....?? It seems like a real ordeal by fire ! My first mechanics experience was just swapping an A series for an A series, and that proved interesting. It is suprising how much you can learn though, and certainly the self satistfied feeling it leads to is unparalleled 8)

[PaulAmes]

Yeh - one less job to do!! Just trying to get all the little jobs together at the moment so I can see what actually needs to be done.