Oil Cooler Woes - Diesel Forum

Paperboy · 08-16-2008, 08:03 PM

My oil cooler recently failed and was leaking like a sieve. I pulled it, had a machine shop put it back together, and reinstalled. Worked perfect afterwards. Next day, on my way to work, I hear a high pressure hissing sound (like an air leak or something). Pulled over and noticed a deluge of engine oil coming from the rear of the cooler area. Also noticed that my mechanical oil pressure gauge was pegged at 100psi (actually broke it, it's still stuck in the far corner!). Needless to say, I shut 'er down and towed it back home.

Any ideas on what might have happened? I would like to believe the cooler was re-assembled properly, but not having witnessed it, I have no idea.

Getting ready to crawl under the ol' girl and pull it off again.

Thanks,
Vince

cdnsarguy · 08-18-2008, 06:32 PM

What does the coolant look like.........there is a bypass valve valve in the rear header....

Check my photo link for the cooler R&R instructions........What brand of filter did you use and did you tighten it correctly..........

VOM FSeries/Econoline Owners guide 7.3 Liter Diesel

Clean the filter mounting area of the oil cooler, lightly coat the gasket surface with clean engine oil and hand tighten until gasket contacts the base. THEN TIGHTEN ANOTHER....... 1 1/4 to 2 TURNS. Fill the crankcase and check for leaks.

Paperboy · 08-20-2008, 10:41 PM

Thanks for the reply.

Coolant looks normal - no milky hue, or oily-ness. I normally use the FL-1995 ( i think thats the # for the powerstroke filter), but this time I used a B134 (a baldwin filter I happen to have a surplus of) a "supposedly" oem replacement for the 6.9.

Could it be that simple? I am surprised that the oil pressure exceeded 100psi... As I mentioned, it broke the mechanical gauge.

It does look like the majority of the oil (which sprayed all over the place) came from the filter area.... hmmm....

Should I put a FL-1995 back on, refill the beast, and see if it leaks? or do you think the problem may lie deeper? It did run for a day with no problems; it wasn't until the next morning that this happened.

Thanks again,
Vince

cdnsarguy · 08-21-2008, 02:59 AM

The B134 is a discontinued item.........

I would use the 1995 Ford (wallymart) or the LF3630 FLEETGUARD oil filter (IH/Navistar)

Yes I would replace the filter and do the correct # of turns etc. unless you or other members think there is a major problem???????

Joe Mc · 08-21-2008, 08:52 PM

Sounds like flow problem to hit that much pressure. Might be cheaper and easier to try a different filter like cdnsarguy suggest.