having hot running problems (water temperature >80C normal running, rising to 90C+ during idle). Checked my oil cooler afer a medium long journey with water temp reaching normal temperature and it was stone cold steve austin. I guess that would indicate no oil flow through the cooler i.e. a blockage somewhere. The actual cooler block looks in good nick, stainless steel possibly even a retrofit with nissan markings. How would i go about checking and clearing the possible blockage.

 

Hopefully i have identified the oil cooler correctly. it sits infront of the a/c condensor which sits infront of the radiator looking from the engine. It is a about 6" high and about 2" thick. Infront of this is the smaller single pipe finned HICAS fluid cooler.

 

Any guidance on this would be much appreciated.

ta

tom

You aint having much luck are you?

 

I would guess that it is your oil presure regulator that is the cause. What oil presure are you registering and do you have an aftermarket Gauge? The regulator valve will only open at 4.5 bar and if your oil is old ie 6000 miles +, if your big ends are worn or the engine is just getting tired.

 

First check what your oil presure is and get the oil changed. If the car has done more than 60K miles and you do not know the servicing intervals prior to you owning then try a heavier grade oil.

 

What mileage has your car done and what oil do you use?

The stock oil cooler system is oil pressure regulated...not temperature.

A cold oilcooler after a long journey is not uncommon.

 

It needs approx 4 bar of oil pressure until there's any decent flow through the cooler.

Nissan did this, to minimize any further oil pressure drop in case of oil loss or pressure loss.

 

Best way to check if the cooler is functioning, is to check it when the engine is cold.

Let the engine idle for a couple of minutes and then feel the cooler...it should be warm/hot.

 

if it isn't it could indicate a oil pressure problem or a problem with the secondary oil pressure regulator, which regulates the flow to the cooler.

This sec. pressure regulator can be found on the oilfilter bracket.

It's basically a spring, which operates a small valve which opens/closes a small orifice, to allow oil to the cooler.

 

 

>> having hot running problems (water temperature >80C normal running, rising to 90C+ during idle).

 

between 80 and 85 is normal operating temperature.

above 95 is when it's starting to overheat.

above 105: turn engine off as soon as possible

 

if the overheating only occurs during idle, it usually indicates a faulty fan clutch or blocked radiator/condensor fins.

Lymon is bang on the numbers mate and I'd just like to add acouple of things to that

 

1) the standard gauges arn't very accurate as arn't cheep gauges. Delfi are about the cheepest of the good quality gauges. A water temp cost about £35 from tweeks a water/ oil temp combo gauge is about £45 Oil presure about the same, but then you'll need a sandwich plate (I have a Greddy sandwich plate for sale £20)

 

2) Your oil should be about 5 to 10 degrees higher than the water temp, but when giving it some serious stick your oil can reach as High as 110 C but should drop quite quickly once you return normal road speeds.

 

Get accurate water temp readings first then oil pressure. Once you really know what going on then there's plenty of us hear who help you through. Remember though even the most minor details of info will help.

 

Because what ever problems you have someone else here will have had it and sorted it.

I'll take the sandwich plate if it's not wanted above... got a track day coming up and still not put oil sender in!

 

Rich

 

Lymon is bang on the numbers mate and I'd just like to add acouple of things to that

 

1) the standard gauges arn't very accurate as arn't cheep gauges. Delfi are about the cheepest of the good quality gauges. A water temp cost about £35 from tweeks a water/ oil temp combo gauge is about £45 Oil presure about the same, but then you'll need a sandwich plate (I have a Greddy sandwich plate for sale £20)

 

2) Your oil should be about 5 to 10 degrees higher than the water temp, but when giving it some serious stick your oil can reach as High as 110 C but should drop quite quickly once you return normal road speeds.

 

Get accurate water temp readings first then oil pressure. Once you really know what going on then there's plenty of us hear who help you through. Remember though even the most minor details of info will help.

 

Because what ever problems you have someone else here will have had it and sorted it.

I'll take the sandwich plate if it's not wanted above... got a track day coming up and still not put oil sender in!

 

Rich

 

Where and when you doing the track day?

Where and when you doing the track day?

 

Oulton Park 10 Nov - problem being i'm going on holiday for 2 weeks at the weekend so got about 3 weeks to get the car ready. If you're interested, it's £130 for open pit lane, £1 for additional driver.

 

Rich