P/S Oil Cooler

[ajkolar]

1988 5.7 Cobra sterndrive.<br /><br />I took my P/S Oil cooler out today to pressure test. When pressurizing the water passage, it is leaking at each of the "end caps" (between the water passage and the outside air). I believe it holds pressure (20 psi) in the oil passage (results in the morning). If I can remove and reinstall the endcaps with some sort of sealant and then maybe some hose clamps for good measure, will I be ok. It seems to me as long as oil can not leak into the water and vise versa (this is determined by pressurizing the oil passage via the oil inlet, and plugging the oil exit) it should work effectively. I suppose I may get a drip or two of water into the bilge every once and awhile, but this may be acceptable considering a new oil cooler is around $300. If I glue the "end caps" back on with expoxy it may seal back up...<br /><br />Does this make sense, or do I need to get a new cooler? If so are there any aftermarket ones that may be less expensive?

 

[Bondo]

Re: P/S Oil Cooler

You mean it Froze,+ Blew the End Caps Out,..??<br /><br />I Believe that's a Soldered Joint.........

 

[ajkolar]

Re: P/S Oil Cooler

I don't know for sure if it froze (most likely), but this all happened before I owned the boat. The previous owner had put a hose clamp on the end to help hold the cap on. So if the oil passage holds pressure, I can just solder the end caps on, and be good to go?

 

[Bondo]

Re: P/S Oil Cooler

Ayuh......<br /><br />It should hold 80psi or better on the Oil side,+ about 15psi on the water side......

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: P/S Oil Cooler

Be sure to retest after soldering to make sure the heat didnt melt any of the solder that seals the oil side.

 

[ajkolar]

Re: P/S Oil Cooler

So would you suggest soldering this just like you would when plumbing copper pipe? Clean, flux, heat, solder... I was a little cautious for fear of ruining something else as Reel Poor pointed out. What about a good two part epoxy glue? No heat, and in my expierience, that is some tuff stuff?

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: P/S Oil Cooler

I've soldered a few of them. Just like doing a pipe. If you're good at soldering, the inner solder joints shouldn't get hot enough to worry about. If it's "been awhile" or you aren't sure, take it to a radiator shop to have it soldered.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: P/S Oil Cooler

Bondo, those numbers sound like there for a real oil cooler.Correct me if im wrong but dosent the P/S cooler carry the return line to the pump?<br /> a high pressure line should have crimped ends not hose clamps.

 

[ajkolar]

Re: P/S Oil Cooler

Well, I slightly heated the "caps" and popped them off. Sanded everything down real good to a metallic finish. I then mixed up some JB Weld and spread a thin layer around the inner lip of the cap. I put the caps back on and the excess JB Weld that was pushed down when putting the cap back on was evenly spead over the "outside" junction. I pressure tested after drying. The oil side held 75 psi for 1 hour, and the water side held 15 psi for 24 hours. I think I should be good to go!

 

[Bondo]

Re: P/S Oil Cooler

Originally posted by Bt Doctur:<br /> Bondo, those numbers sound like there for a real oil cooler .Correct me if im wrong but dosent the P/S cooler carry the return line to the pump?<br /> a high pressure line should have crimped ends not hose clamps.

Ayuh,.... My Bad.....<br /><br />I guess my fingers were thinking 1 thing,+ the mind, another............ <br /><br />Seems to be Working though.....

 

[ajkolar]

Re: P/S Oil Cooler

So does the oil side not need to hold 75-80 psi (I mean it can't hurt that it does) but what kind of pressure will it actually see, more around 15 psi like the water side?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: P/S Oil Cooler

Bondo, you up by 1000 Islands?

 

[Bondo]

Re: P/S Oil Cooler

Originally posted by ajkolar:<br /> So does the oil side not need to hold 75-80 psi (I mean it can't hurt that it does) but what kind of pressure will it actually see, more around 15 psi like the water side?

I've never put a pressure gauge on the return line of the P/S,.... I Don't Know.....<br />I would assume it's More than the water side,... How Much More,..??...Don't Know......<br />

Originally posted by Bt Doctur:<br /> Bondo, you up by 1000 Islands?

Ayuh,..... I'm still on Lake Ontario,..... just Short of the River.............<br />Chinewalker lives up On the river......<br />

| From: East coast NJ |

Is that the Southside,.... Or the Northern parts,.??