Anybody know how....

[Jonty99]

...important power-steering oil coolers are to cars?

Following the break down of the Veranti, which is still not sorking due to an electrical problem, Ive been and bought a Ford Cougar V6 to get me about. But the oil cooler for the power-steering is leaking and as I couldn't get a part for it over the weekend, Ive bypassed it.

Not all cars have these, are they important? Will it be ok like this until the weekend when I can fit a new one?

[Mr Whippy]

No idea really. Is it a pretty big cooler in the air flow, or hidden away somewhere? Does it look to have a thermostat switch on the loop? (curious if it's always active, might just not open at this time of year anyway, and just be for red hot engine bay/summer city work)

Never seen it myself while working on my girlfriends Cougar V6. So assuming it's not right in the nose somewhere.

Dave

[Talkwrench]

At this time of year, it'll be absolutely fine unless you intend doing an endurance race through the Scottish Highlands.
Remember that these cars are designed to cope with a spirited drive though the Nevada desert. Theres plenty of margin for running without a cooler in a Yorkshire winter.....

[Jonty99]

Thats ok then, thanks for the vote of confidence, I'd thought about the weather being cold so maybe not mattering too much.

As for where it is, its right down at the bottom at the front of the car, just blow and infront of the radiator. There aren't any thermostat switches or whatever on it, its just a pipe that runs across the front and then back with heatsinks on it. Ive just been doing some town driving with it and it felt warm but hadn't expanded, so like you say its probably ok in our wonderfully cold yorkshire weather.

Thanks
Jon