I have just replaced my engine oil cooler on my 2005 SC as the oil pipe couplings were leaking. I have no record of it being changed before. On the face of it a simple task, but fraught with frustration mainly due to age. A few observations below to help plan your attack.
Firstly, the couplings themselves had accumulated dirt over time which meant that simply pulling back the plastic quick release collar did not release the coupling. A couple of hours working the plastic collar and flushing with penetrating fluid eventually flushed out the dirt sufficiently to release the coupling. The key is to push the pipe on to the cooler pip[e as far as possible before pulling back the plastic collar and then pulling them pipe off. The cause of the problem, was evident: the ridge on the cooler pipe had been corroded/eroded over the years allowing oil to pass at an alarming rate.
Secondly, each of the two oil pipes are connected to a metal union that connects to the oil filter housing. These unions had become corroded and stuck to the filter housing and took a long period of careful persuasion to come away. There was a point where I though I would leave the metal unions in place, cut off the old oil pipes and replace with the pipes from the new assemblies.
Thirdly the metal unions also have a pipe that feeds the air blast auxiliary oil cooler above the off-side wheel arch. The auxiliary cooler connectors on these pipes appear to be single use so don’t connect them, until you have to.
Fourthly, and most irritating. the engine oil cooler itself is retained by a single torx head screw which had become corroded to the cooler itself. This mean sawing through the cooler mounting flange so that I could remove the cooler to make enough space to try and ease the screw out with mole grips. It is an rare M6 screw, 16mm long with a 2.5mm thread pitch which makes obtaining another difficult. Make sure you buy a replacement beforehand.
Fifthly, when I detached the two coolant pipes from the engine oil cooler, the internal o-rings had become attached to the cooler itself and ripped when I pulled the coolant pipe off, together with an internal plastic collar. These small pipes contain all sorts of things and are expensive, so beware.
Reassmbly was easy! I was grateful for my hose clip pliers and an assortment of extensions, different length 1/4” drive sockets, mini mole grips and work lights. One additional tool that would be useful is a workshop with a concrete floor and a hydraulic lift: I had to make do with the car standing on some railway sleepers on a gravel drive in pouring rain. 2014 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography & 2015 3.0SDV6 HSE Lux Discovery 4
2005 4.2 Supercharged Vogue SE & 2011 3.0SDV6 HSE Discovery 4
2002 4.4 Vogue
2000 4.6 Vogue
2010 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE
2009 Freelander 2 TD4.e 2009
1992 Mercedes 300D
1986 Renault 2.1 Turbo D
1976 Morris Marina 1.8
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