Oil cooler condition question

[caissiel]

After a flush and adding EC-1 Antifreeze I have been observing my coolant/Oil Temperatures.

While driving at 55MPH the coolant is at 190 and the oil temperature is at 208. Should I be concerned that the oil cooler is starting to plug up.

It takes at least 15 miles for the Coolant to reach 190 and oil temperature to reach 200. Most of that time the oil temperature is 10 below the coolant temperature untill 190 coolant temperature. It looks like the water does help in raising the cold oil temperature.

I removed the water filter that I installed after the flush, and after 500 miles, there is very little dirt collected, meaning that the coolant is clear so far.

[topdwg]

I wouldn't worry about it. Rule of thumb is 15 degree difference, your only 18. I'd just monitor it and see if it gets any worse.

[smokersteve]

Another thing to point out is that if you unload the engine, the oil will take longer to cool than the coolant, so sometimes that can also be deceiving of cooling efficiency.

[caissiel]

thanks,
I will be driving to Florida next month and wanted to make sure I was ok in monitoring it,
I do pull a 15500 lbs 5th wheel trailer.
I am glade I do have clean antifreeze in it and hopefully it will move the dust off all the internal parts.

The coolant filter will stay longer though.

[Evil Eye]

Sounds like the start of a problem. I wish you well in your journey next week. Let us know how it goes.

[PGreenSVT]

Originally Posted by topdwg

I wouldn't worry about it. Rule of thumb is 15 degree difference, your only 18. I'd just monitor it and see if it gets any worse.

Originally Posted by smokersteve

Another thing to point out is that if you unload the engine, the oil will take longer to cool than the coolant, so sometimes that can also be deceiving of cooling efficiency.

Gotta disagree with both of these opinions. Under normal conditions you should be under a delta of 10* and usually around 4*-6*. At 18* unloaded I wouldn't attempt to take a 15.5k trailer on a long trip. You are headed for trouble IMHO. Don't take the chance rebuild the cooler before you go.

Originally Posted by Evil Eye

Sounds like the start of a problem. I wish you well in your journey next week. Let us know how it goes.

I think Shawn is right on target. Your cooler is clogging.

[topdwg]

Mitch, I said this because while I was getting my ball joints done I was talking with the mechanic about EOT and ECT. He mentioned what service procedure they go by and I went back and looked it up. Here's what it says...

Verify that ECT and EOT PIDs are within specified ranges (see PC/ED Section 1: Description and Operation of ECT, EOT). EOT should be about 225° F (107° C) when the ECT is 200° F (93° C). If EOT IS NOT within 25° F (14° C) of ECT during the concern, replace the oil cooler. However, first perform all steps through Step 5 before replacing the oil cooler. Refer to Workshop Manual, Section 303-01C.

Ford will not even replace an oil cooler if its not over 25 degrees of one another...

Don't get me wrong, I go by what many of you all say, but in the end just to be safe I'll try and get the answer from a subject matter expert...not that any of you aren't of course

[PGreenSVT]

Originally Posted by topdwg

Mitch, I said this because while I was getting my ball joints done I was talking with the mechanic about EOT and ECT. He mentioned what service procedure they go by and I went back and looked it up. Here's what it says...

Verify that ECT and EOT PIDs are within specified ranges (see PC/ED Section 1: Description and Operation of ECT, EOT). EOT should be about 225° F (107° C) when the ECT is 200° F (93° C). If EOT IS NOT within 25° F (14° C) of ECT during the concern, replace the oil cooler. However, first perform all steps through Step 5 before replacing the oil cooler. Refer to Workshop Manual, Section 303-01C.

Ford will not even replace an oil cooler if its not over 25 degrees of one another...

That is outdated information. As of the VXCF9 flash it now throws a cel if the temp delta exceeds 15*. My dealer replaced mine with a delta of 17*. It is now also standard procedure to rebuild the oil cooler when replacing a blown egr cooler yet some dealers still don't do this for some unfathomable reason.

No way I'd attempt to tow 15.5k from Canada to Florida and back knowing I already have a temp delta of 18*. If the op attempts this I wish him luck. I truly believe he is going to need it.

[topdwg]

Well I don't have the same flash as you. I'm running the VXBC9N8 strategy, I wonder if I'll get the warning if my eot's and ect's go past 15? I actually took my truck in a few months ago to get the most up to date flash and they said I did. I then contacted Eric from ID to validate and he confirmed that VXBC9N8 (FSM8) is the updated strategy for the 04s...

[bfrank81]

You wouldn't catch me making that trip empty with that kind of spread. After 40 min of cruising down the highway at 70+ the turbo and motor get hot and the temps will spike up higher faster than a short trip. My temps came right back down but your's probably will not. This will likely cause major problems.