reversing oil cooler connections
Discussion
i have an old 1980's BMW with an original-fit horizontal oil-cooler slung under the radiator.
2 pipes run back to the oil-filter housing on the side of the engine-block.
i want to rotate the filter-housing 90 deg. so the filter is vertical instead of horizontal,this is to stop the oil draining from the filter overnight.
with the housing in its new position one of the lines doesn't quite reach its home on the housing,but swapping the 2 lines over so the inlet one becomes the outlet gets round this.
this means the oil will now flow from the top of the cooler to the bottom rather than from the present bottom up to the top,- bottom-to-top apparently being the ideal direction.
anyone know if the cooler will still operate as intended in the reverse direction,or is this a no-go?
2 pipes run back to the oil-filter housing on the side of the engine-block.
i want to rotate the filter-housing 90 deg. so the filter is vertical instead of horizontal,this is to stop the oil draining from the filter overnight.
with the housing in its new position one of the lines doesn't quite reach its home on the housing,but swapping the 2 lines over so the inlet one becomes the outlet gets round this.
this means the oil will now flow from the top of the cooler to the bottom rather than from the present bottom up to the top,- bottom-to-top apparently being the ideal direction.
anyone know if the cooler will still operate as intended in the reverse direction,or is this a no-go?
Edited by sidgolf on Sunday 19th March 21:06
that's good to know thanks.
the problem with my filter is that when its in its original horizontal position,the oil drains out of it overnight,even tho it's a decent Mann filter with the usual anti-drain valve,this gives a 2-3 sec. delay in oil-pressure on starting from cold. 3 filters have been tried-all have this same problem.
from what iv'e read it seems likely there will be no probs reversing the flow-getting rid of air-bubbles is the reason behind the oil flowing bottom-to-top thru the cooler apparently.
the problem with my filter is that when its in its original horizontal position,the oil drains out of it overnight,even tho it's a decent Mann filter with the usual anti-drain valve,this gives a 2-3 sec. delay in oil-pressure on starting from cold. 3 filters have been tried-all have this same problem.
from what iv'e read it seems likely there will be no probs reversing the flow-getting rid of air-bubbles is the reason behind the oil flowing bottom-to-top thru the cooler apparently.
2-3s ?
I'd hardly worry.
My old 1.7 Isuzu van engine has seen oil light on for 5...10...20...30 seconds on startup at times. Sometimes even longer !!! All at random and no real reason why and it's still going strong with over 600k on it.
Although I did recently clean the gauze on the strainer which has helped a bit, its more consistent around the 5-10s mark now
But it was like that when I bought it with less than 70k on it, and others with same engine are same.
A 2-3s wait time for the light...no big deal.
I'd hardly worry.
My old 1.7 Isuzu van engine has seen oil light on for 5...10...20...30 seconds on startup at times. Sometimes even longer !!! All at random and no real reason why and it's still going strong with over 600k on it.
Although I did recently clean the gauze on the strainer which has helped a bit, its more consistent around the 5-10s mark now
But it was like that when I bought it with less than 70k on it, and others with same engine are same.
A 2-3s wait time for the light...no big deal.
i have same engine, with aftermarket VDO higher pressure switch (switches off at 13psi compared to 7psi) and my light goes out in 1 or 2 sec tops after it comes to life with 10W-40.... standard oiling system. still i wouldn't be too concerned
Edited by Inline__engine on Monday 20th March 00:56
Edited by Inline__engine on Monday 20th March 00:57
Why not put a flap valve in the feed line to stop draining back?
https://www.goodridge.co.uk/search?q=flap+valve
I used to use one on a Rover V8 to stop the oil going back down through the pump and emptying that. The Rover pump won't scavenge if empty = no oil pressure.
https://www.goodridge.co.uk/search?q=flap+valve
I used to use one on a Rover V8 to stop the oil going back down through the pump and emptying that. The Rover pump won't scavenge if empty = no oil pressure.
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