Went out last night to top up my washer bottle and decided to check my water/oil levels too, glad I did.

Its just brown sludge, now my first panic thought was head gasket but the oil on the dip stick is ok, very low but ok.

Am I right that this is looking like an Oil Cooler problem or failure?

I topped my oil up and flushed out some of the sludge and topped up with water as I needed to use the car last night. (Peter Kay Live  :y)

The car drives fine, no mis fires or anything.

Is it wise to drive short trips to work etc before its fixed? Guessing not really!  :'(

Does sound like oil cooler and I wouldn't use the car until its repaired. The worst part of the job is getting the oil/sludge out of the cooling system and the more you use the car the more crap gets into the cooling system :(

richardirv wrote on 30. Jan 2011 at 16:50:

Went out last night to top up my washer bottle and decided to check my water/oil levels too, glad I did. Its just brown sludge, now my first panic thought was head gasket but the oil on the dip stick is ok, very low but ok. Am I right that this is looking like an Oil Cooler problem or failure? I topped my oil up and flushed out some of the sludge and topped up with water as I needed to use the car last night. (Peter Kay Live  :y) The car drives fine, no mis fires or anything. Is it wise to drive short trips to work etc before its fixed? Guessing not really!  :'(

deffo sounds like oil cooler.......and do not drive it until replaced

Elite Pete wrote on 30. Jan 2011 at 16:55:

Does sound like oil cooler and I wouldn't use the car until its repaired. The worst part of the job is getting the oil/sludge out of the cooling system and the more you use the car the more crap gets into the cooling system :(

Fair play, I will have to use the Yaris  >:(

What do you rekon i'm lookin at for new oil cooler and fitting?

The garage i use sometimes said its a pig of a job cos to get to the oil cooler its in the centre of the V and you have to take off both heads not much change from 2k i think that what it cost his customer :( :(

chrispin wrote on 30. Jan 2011 at 17:51:

The garage i use sometimes said its a pig of a job cos to get to the oil cooler its in the centre of the V and you have to take off both heads not much change from 2k i think that what it cost his customer :( :(

You need to find a new garage then! :o :o

I know members who have done it in a supermarket car park! ;) :y

Anyone have access to GM prices?

I found a Cooler online for £133, not sure if its definatly genuine though?

http://www.courtenaysport.co.uk/buy-online/shop-by-category/parts/oil-cooler-v6-all-non-turbo-models/prod_668.html

richardirv wrote on 30. Jan 2011 at 18:18:

Anyone have access to GM prices? I found a Cooler online for £133, not sure if its definatly genuine though? http://www.courtenaysport.co.uk/buy-online/shop-by-category/parts/oil-cooler-v6-all-non-turbo-models/prod_668.html

IIRCC the kit is about £105+VAT :-/ :-/

Lazydocker wrote on 30. Jan 2011 at 17:59:

chrispin wrote on 30. Jan 2011 at 17:51: The garage i use sometimes said its a pig of a job cos to get to the oil cooler its in the centre of the V and you have to take off both heads not much change from 2k i think that what it cost his customer :( :( You need to find a new garage then! :o :o I know members who have done it in a supermarket car park! ;) :y

Now thats a step by step worth reading  8-)

Lazydocker wrote on 30. Jan 2011 at 17:59:

chrispin wrote on 30. Jan 2011 at 17:51: The garage i use sometimes said its a pig of a job cos to get to the oil cooler its in the centre of the V and you have to take off both heads not much change from 2k i think that what it cost his customer :( :( You need to find a new garage then! :o :o I know members who have done it in a supermarket car park! ;) :y

Yeah, thanks Mr Morrison ;D

Elite Pete wrote on 30. Jan 2011 at 18:29:

Lazydocker wrote on 30. Jan 2011 at 17:59: chrispin wrote on 30. Jan 2011 at 17:51: The garage i use sometimes said its a pig of a job cos to get to the oil cooler its in the centre of the V and you have to take off both heads not much change from 2k i think that what it cost his customer :( :( You need to find a new garage then! :o :o I know members who have done it in a supermarket car park! ;) :y Yeah, thanks Mr Morrison ;D

Daz did an oil cooler at Newent & he definitely left both heads on.
I think he was on his 8th Stella!  ::)  ::)  ;D  ;D  ;D

chrispin wrote on 30. Jan 2011 at 17:51:

The garage i use sometimes said its a pig of a job cos to get to the oil cooler its in the centre of the V and you have to take off both heads not much change from 2k i think that what it cost his customer :( :(

Robbing, lying b*stards!

even I can do an oil cooler, only extra tool worth getting is 19" crowsfoot for the oil cooler pipes at the filter end. Don't bend the pipes above the cooler!

2k? For 3 or 4 hours work? FFS ! Go round there and get your money back.

tunnie wrote on 30. Jan 2011 at 21:26:

even I can do an oil cooler, only extra tool worth getting is 19" crowsfoot for the oil cooler pipes at the filter end. Don't bend the pipes above the cooler!

Are you sure its a 19 inch spanner Tunnie ? Istr it was a wee bit smaller than that  :-/ :D ;D ::)

chrispin wrote on 30. Jan 2011 at 17:51:

The garage i use sometimes said its a pig of a job cos to get to the oil cooler its in the centre of the V and you have to take off both heads not much change from 2k i think that what it cost his customer :( :(

Lol, I have seen that a few times. Miss diagnosis by the shitty independent who pulls the heads thinking its headgasket then finds its not fixed it.

Of course, they dont come clean, they just bill the poor unknowing individual who trusted them in the first place.

Oil cooler is a 3 hour job start to finsh plus frequent flushing at various intervals there of

Lazydocker wrote on 30. Jan 2011 at 18:21:

richardirv wrote on 30. Jan 2011 at 18:18: Anyone have access to GM prices? I found a Cooler online for £133, not sure if its definatly genuine though? http://www.courtenaysport.co.uk/buy-online/shop-by-category/parts/oil-cooler-v6-all-non-turbo-models/prod_668.html IIRCC the kit is about £105+VAT :-/ :-/

Do you think the one in the link will be genuine then or spurious?

richardirv wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 08:37:

Lazydocker wrote on 30. Jan 2011 at 18:21: richardirv wrote on 30. Jan 2011 at 18:18: Anyone have access to GM prices? I found a Cooler online for £133, not sure if its definatly genuine though? http://www.courtenaysport.co.uk/buy-online/shop-by-category/parts/oil-cooler-v6-all-non-turbo-models/prod_668.html IIRCC the kit is about £105+VAT :-/ :-/ Do you think the one in the link will be genuine then or spurious?

Don't know if that's even everything you need TBH... I've never had to do one <touches wood!>

Looks promising with genuine GM sealant but why not contact andyc and see if he can give you a better price?

Ok, just looked at his profile, didn't realise he worked at vx.

I have one friend to see locally too who may be able to get vx trade price so I will see which is best

Cheers

Given that it includes the sealent and metal oil cooler pipe O rings, its a good price.

You do also need the coolant bridge dowty washers though.

Marks DTM Calib wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 08:58:

Given that it includes the sealent and metal oil cooler pipe O rings, its a good price. You do also need the coolant bridge dowty washers though.

Ok cheers, I have pm'd andyc, see what he can do  :y

richardirv wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 09:23:

Marks DTM Calib wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 08:58: Given that it includes the sealent and metal oil cooler pipe O rings, its a good price. You do also need the coolant bridge dowty washers though. Ok cheers, I have pm'd andyc, see what he can do  :y

How about asking Marky Mark via Guy?

Andy B wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 09:28:

richardirv wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 09:23: Marks DTM Calib wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 08:58: Given that it includes the sealent and metal oil cooler pipe O rings, its a good price. You do also need the coolant bridge dowty washers though. Ok cheers, I have pm'd andyc, see what he can do  :y How about asking Marky Mark via Guy?

Do you mean for the parts? Or to do the job?

Assuming you mean parts, I had not thought, does mark have trade card then?

richardirv wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 09:39:

Andy B wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 09:28: richardirv wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 09:23: Marks DTM Calib wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 08:58: Given that it includes the sealent and metal oil cooler pipe O rings, its a good price. You do also need the coolant bridge dowty washers though. Ok cheers, I have pm'd andyc, see what he can do  :y How about asking Marky Mark via Guy? Do you mean for the parts? Or to do the job? Assuming you mean parts, I had not thought, does mark have trade card then?

I meant to do the job, but I'm sure he'd be able to get you the parts.

Yeah I had thought about asking Mark but decided against it as I'd have to drive the car 55 miles to do so & wan't sure if that was a good idea  :-/

richardirv wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:06:

... I'd have to drive the car 55 miles to do so &  ....

Ah! I thought you were closer.

Andy B wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:15:

richardirv wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:06: ... I'd have to drive the car 55 miles to do so &  .... Ah! I thought you were closer.

Unfortunatly not, andyc has kindly just given me a quote.

I hope he doesn't mind be posting on here, don't see why not. It apears that Lazy is right regards not having all I will need with the kit I found online. But the kit is indeed cheaper online (if its genuine)



Oil Cooler Kit £146.88
Banjo Seals 4 @ £0.58 each
Cooler Cover Sealant £10.00
Inlet Manifold Bridge Lower Gaskets, 2 @ £14.64 each
Inlet Manifold Bridge Upper Gaskets, 3 @ £12.16 each
Plenium Seal Kit £13.73
Antifreeze, 5ltr £14.04
Engine Oil 10w40 Semi Syn 5ltr £13.92
Oil Filter £3.88

Postage £8.28

All prices include VAT @ 20%

Albs wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 00:38:

tunnie wrote on 30. Jan 2011 at 21:26: even I can do an oil cooler, only extra tool worth getting is 19" crowsfoot for the oil cooler pipes at the filter end. Don't bend the pipes above the cooler! Are you sure its a 19 inch spanner Tunnie ? Istr it was a wee bit smaller than that  :-/ :D ;D ::)

Cause my one was huge  :D  ;D

Sorry yes, its 19mm crowsfoot. Its really a must for the oil cooler job without mangling the nut

richardirv wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:20:

Andy B wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:15: richardirv wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:06: ... I'd have to drive the car 55 miles to do so &  .... Ah! I thought you were closer. Unfortunatly not, andyc has kindly just given me a quote. I hope he doesn't mind be posting on here, don't see why not. It apears that Lazy is right regards not having all I will need with the kit I found online. But the kit is indeed cheaper online (if its genuine) Oil Cooler Kit £146.88 Banjo Seals 4 @ £0.58 each Cooler Cover Sealant £10.00 Inlet Manifold Bridge Lower Gaskets, 2 @ £14.64 each Inlet Manifold Bridge Upper Gaskets, 3 @ £12.16 each Plenium Seal Kit £13.73Antifreeze, 5ltr £14.04 Engine Oil 10w40 Semi Syn 5ltr £13.92 Oil Filter £3.88 Postage £8.28 All prices include VAT @ 20%

You won't need these, you can re use the originals ;)

Elite Pete wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:50:

richardirv wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:20: Andy B wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:15: richardirv wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:06: ... I'd have to drive the car 55 miles to do so &  .... Ah! I thought you were closer. Unfortunatly not, andyc has kindly just given me a quote. I hope he doesn't mind be posting on here, don't see why not. It apears that Lazy is right regards not having all I will need with the kit I found online. But the kit is indeed cheaper online (if its genuine) Oil Cooler Kit £146.88 Banjo Seals 4 @ £0.58 each Cooler Cover Sealant £10.00 Inlet Manifold Bridge Lower Gaskets, 2 @ £14.64 each Inlet Manifold Bridge Upper Gaskets, 3 @ £12.16 each Plenium Seal Kit £13.73Antifreeze, 5ltr £14.04 Engine Oil 10w40 Semi Syn 5ltr £13.92 Oil Filter £3.88 Postage £8.28 All prices include VAT @ 20% You won't need these, you can re use the originals ;)

Oh good, thats a little better on the wallet!  :y

richardirv wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:52:

Elite Pete wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:50: richardirv wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:20: Andy B wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:15: richardirv wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:06: ... I'd have to drive the car 55 miles to do so &  .... Ah! I thought you were closer. Unfortunatly not, andyc has kindly just given me a quote. I hope he doesn't mind be posting on here, don't see why not. It apears that Lazy is right regards not having all I will need with the kit I found online. But the kit is indeed cheaper online (if its genuine) Oil Cooler Kit £146.88 Banjo Seals 4 @ £0.58 each Cooler Cover Sealant £10.00 Inlet Manifold Bridge Lower Gaskets, 2 @ £14.64 each Inlet Manifold Bridge Upper Gaskets, 3 @ £12.16 each Plenium Seal Kit £13.73Antifreeze, 5ltr £14.04 Engine Oil 10w40 Semi Syn 5ltr £13.92 Oil Filter £3.88 Postage £8.28 All prices include VAT @ 20% You won't need these, you can re use the originals ;) Oh good, thats a little better on the wallet!  :y

Only thing i don't see there are replacement bango bolts, iiic they don't come with the oil cooler kit....

tunnie wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:55:

richardirv wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:52: Elite Pete wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:50: richardirv wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:20: Andy B wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:15: richardirv wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:06: ... I'd have to drive the car 55 miles to do so &  .... Ah! I thought you were closer. Unfortunatly not, andyc has kindly just given me a quote. I hope he doesn't mind be posting on here, don't see why not. It apears that Lazy is right regards not having all I will need with the kit I found online. But the kit is indeed cheaper online (if its genuine) Oil Cooler Kit £146.88 Banjo Seals 4 @ £0.58 each Cooler Cover Sealant £10.00 Inlet Manifold Bridge Lower Gaskets, 2 @ £14.64 each Inlet Manifold Bridge Upper Gaskets, 3 @ £12.16 each Plenium Seal Kit £13.73Antifreeze, 5ltr £14.04 Engine Oil 10w40 Semi Syn 5ltr £13.92 Oil Filter £3.88 Postage £8.28 All prices include VAT @ 20% You won't need these, you can re use the originals ;) Oh good, thats a little better on the wallet!  :y Only thing i don't see there are replacement bango bolts, iiic they don't come with the oil cooler kit....

Ok, Cheers

tunnie wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:55:

richardirv wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:52: Elite Pete wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:50: richardirv wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:20: Andy B wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:15: richardirv wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:06: ... I'd have to drive the car 55 miles to do so &  .... Ah! I thought you were closer. Unfortunatly not, andyc has kindly just given me a quote. I hope he doesn't mind be posting on here, don't see why not. It apears that Lazy is right regards not having all I will need with the kit I found online. But the kit is indeed cheaper online (if its genuine) Oil Cooler Kit £146.88 Banjo Seals 4 @ £0.58 each Cooler Cover Sealant £10.00 Inlet Manifold Bridge Lower Gaskets, 2 @ £14.64 each Inlet Manifold Bridge Upper Gaskets, 3 @ £12.16 each Plenium Seal Kit £13.73Antifreeze, 5ltr £14.04 Engine Oil 10w40 Semi Syn 5ltr £13.92 Oil Filter £3.88 Postage £8.28 All prices include VAT @ 20% You won't need these, you can re use the originals ;) Oh good, thats a little better on the wallet!  :y Only thing i don't see there are replacement bango bolts, iiic they don't come with the oil cooler kit....

I've never had one snap but I have seen on the forum people that have had the misfortune.

I snapped one on TB1, luckily a nail across the bits of the top of the bolt managed to rotate it back.

Officially they are once only use i belive....

tunnie wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 17:06:

I snapped one on TB1, luckily a nail across the bits of the top of the bolt managed to rotate it back. Officially they are once only use i belive....

I'm surprised because they aren't torqued very tight

tunnie wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 17:06:

I snapped one on TB1, luckily a nail across the bits of the top of the bolt managed to rotate it back. Officially they are once only use i belive....

nope

I've broken 2  :-[

I suspect in both cases, it was weakened whilst undoing, as neither set the torque wrench off

TheBoy wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 19:25:

I've broken 2  :-[ I suspect in both cases, it was weakened whilst undoing, as neither set the torque wrench off

maybe you shouldn't be blindly relying on the halo'd torque wrench & use a bit of feel when tightening some things  :-/ :-/  ::)

Marks DTM Calib wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 18:30:

tunnie wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 17:06: I snapped one on TB1, luckily a nail across the bits of the top of the bolt managed to rotate it back. Officially they are once only use i belive.... nope

Well seeing how easily i sheared one, think i would personally recommend new ones for such a job. Minimal cost for a one off task?

tunnie wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 22:07:

Marks DTM Calib wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 18:30: tunnie wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 17:06: I snapped one on TB1, luckily a nail across the bits of the top of the bolt managed to rotate it back. Officially they are once only use i belive.... nope Well seeing how easily i sheared one, think i would personally recommend new ones for such a job. Minimal cost for a one off task?

Someone else must have already had a go on it... No way you could have sheared it without help :-X :-X Or did you have a 4' scaffold pole on the end of the wrench ::) ::) :P :P

Lazydocker wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 22:10:

.... Or did you have a 4' scaffold pole on the end of the wrench ::) ::) :P :P

I can vouch that 50 stone/3 blokes hanging off said scaff pole are able to shear a 3/4" T-bar, an 1" - 3/4" adapter and a Britool 3/4" ratchet  ::) ::) ::) ::)

richardirv wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:20:

Oil Cooler Kit £146.88 Banjo Seals 4 @ £0.58 each Cooler Cover Sealant £10.00 Oil Filter £3.88 All prices include VAT @ 20%

Feck me! Will this bloody car ever stop costing me a fortune? I haven't even driven it 25 miles yet, and already it's cost me 75% as much in parts as it did to buy the bloody thing!  >:(

And there was me thinking what could possibly go wrong with an Aussie / German designed, and German built motor? In terms of cost per mile, this is already costing me more than the Land Rover, (high), and even more than the bloody TVR, a motor which has so far cost a medium sized countrys GDP to run.

Once this Omega is fixed, I'm not selling the blank, not ever. It's cost me too much bloody money! This dam thing has had my money, my blood, my sweat and nearly my tears. It's a good job that I'm not as easily angered as I was in my late teens / early twentys, otherwise there would now be a nice size ten bootprint in each door!  :'(

Another £155 in parts and several nights in the garage? The wifes going to hit the roof.

V6 CDX-er wrote on 14. Feb 2011 at 03:08:

richardirv wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 10:20: Oil Cooler Kit £146.88 Banjo Seals 4 @ £0.58 each Cooler Cover Sealant £10.00 Oil Filter £3.88 All prices include VAT @ 20% Feck me! Will this bloody car ever stop costing me a fortune? I haven't even driven it 25 miles yet, and already it's cost me 75% as much in parts as it did to buy the bloody thing!  >:( And there was me thinking what could possibly go wrong with an Aussie / German designed, and German built motor? In terms of cost per mile, this is already costing me more than the Land Rover, (high), and even more than the bloody TVR, a motor which has so far cost a medium sized countrys GDP to run. Once this Omega is fixed, I'm not selling the blank, not ever. It's cost me too much bloody money! This dam thing has had my money, my blood, my sweat and nearly my tears. It's a good job that I'm not as easily angered as I was in my late teens / early twentys, otherwise there would now be a nice size ten bootprint in each door!  :'( Another £155 in parts and several nights in the garage? The wifes going to hit the roof.

At least you know it will not need doing again for a long time and you will know that the job was done properly.
I know that some other halves don't understand that jobs need doing but is it not for the greater good of your car? I know that there are plenty of things that will need doing on my car but as it was £350 two years ago it doesn't take much to work out that things will need to be done through gritted teeth and an emptying wallet,it's the nature of the beast.

Lazydocker wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 22:10:

tunnie wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 22:07: Marks DTM Calib wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 18:30: tunnie wrote on 31. Jan 2011 at 17:06: I snapped one on TB1, luckily a nail across the bits of the top of the bolt managed to rotate it back. Officially they are once only use i belive.... nope Well seeing how easily i sheared one, think i would personally recommend new ones for such a job. Minimal cost for a one off task? Someone else must have already had a go on it... No way you could have sheared it without help :-X :-X Or did you have a 4' scaffold pole on the end of the wrench ::) ::) :P :P

Since an old tread is dragged up, i'll defend myself and say it never even got to the torque wrench stage, it is was about 2/3's in, and the top just sheared off.  :o

V6 CDX-er - Oil cooler is once in a cars life job, the problem is removing the oil be prepared for about 20 million of them to start it running clean again!