16 December 2021
 Categories: , Blog

An oil cooler is a vital component of your vehicle's cooling system. It's designed to keep the engine oil within optimum operating temperatures, particularly during high-performance or heavy-duty driving conditions like racing or towing. Therefore, the oil cooler keeps your engine from overheating when running under extreme conditions. Typically, engine coolers are designed to last and will often exhibit minimal problems down the line. However, leaks, cracks, normal wear and tear, and other issues can affect your engine cooler's performance over time. Therefore, it's essential to know when your oil cooler starts failing to make the required repairs early enough and avoid engine issues and costlier repairs. With that in mind, here are the signs to watch out for.

Oil Leak

Leaks are among the top signs of a faulty engine oil cooler. Usually, this is caused by a broken, missing, or damaged oil cooler gasket or adapter. A damaged oil cooler gasket will fail to keep the engine oil in, resulting in leaks. However, it is worth noting that engine oil leaks could be a sign of other problems, so be sure to have your vehicle inspected first before you conclude that it's an oil cooler issue.

Besides the engine oil, you may also experience engine coolant leaks when your oil cooler is problematic. Therefore, consult a mechanic as soon as you notice engine oil and coolant leaks.

Overheating

Overheating is another obvious indicator of a failing engine oil cooler. Generally, engine oil coolers are meant to keep your engine oil operating at optimum levels when the engine is working under extreme conditions. Therefore, a faulty engine oil cooler will fail to maintain the required temperature. In addition, the engine may not get the right amount of oil, especially if you have a leak too. Consequently, you will notice your engine overheating during heavy-duty driving conditions. However, like oil leaks, overheating can also be a sign of other underlying issues in your car. Therefore, it would be best to get a professional to inspect the cooler to confirm the problem.

Reduced Performance

Have you noticed a decrease in your engine's performance? Your engine oil cooler could be the culprit, so have it checked early enough. Poor or slower acceleration and a potentially low top speed are some of the signs to look out for regarding reduced performance. Generally, your engine requires proper oil circulation and the correct operating temperature to function optimally. Therefore, if you have a bad engine oil cooler, your engine won't cool fast enough or operate with insufficient oil supply, resulting in reduced performance.

If you notice any of these issues with your oil cooler, reach out to a professional who can repair it for you.