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[Anthony in Madrid]

Hi guys! 
Hope you are all doing fine. Been a while for me to post my usual "novice questions" but recently been through a divorce and moving house bla bla but finally I got round to changing my oil cooler and I have arrived to the "Nirvana" after having to drill out 2 bolts that just wouldnt budge so surgery was required. What a twot!
Anyway I've finally got the plate off and removed the old oil cooler that seriously was gunked up to the max. But I'm not sure if what I've encountered is normal... The oil cooler well is up to the brim with what seems to be like a mix of black oil coolant and oil.
Is this right? Should liquid be there?
If yes do I leave it and just pop in the new cooler?
Should I clear it out?

Here's a couple of pics but it's not that easy to see but the darkness is the water/coolant/oily mix.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/730asjw0ephd259/IMAG4119.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bzzqofevkewp9bs/IMAG4116.jpg?dl=0

Looking forward to some speedy replies as I'm anxious to get this job out of the way and proceed with the flushing and oil/oil filter change.

Cheers Guys!

P.S. Varche...I haven't forgot you amigo. I'll be in touch.


 

[zirk]

No dont leave it (yes, water / coolant should be there, thats what cools the Cooler) , drain the whole coolant and loose most of the liquid whats left in the well, then clean up as much as you can, also razor blade the block and oil cooler plate and finish off with wire wool so its all nice and clean for the sealant (VX Grey), once all fitted back leave for 24 hours to cure.

Most of the Mayo (mix of water and oil) will raise to the top in the header tank but lots of it will still be in the system still.

Refill coolant with water and degreaser, get up to near temp then the fun begins, lots of flushing until its totally clear, then do your mix of Antifreeze and Water, will need checking and possibly flushing again in a week or two.
 

[Anthony in Madrid]

drain the whole coolant and loose most of the liquid whats left in the well,

Cheers for that Zirk 
Any tips on getting the rest of the liquid what's left in the well out? Sponge it?

[05omegav6]

Flush it about twenty times using three liquid dishwasher tablet

[Anthony in Madrid]

Flush it about twenty times using three liquid dishwasher tablet

Hi Taxi Al
You mean that's after I refit the new cooler and put everything back together again right?

[zirk]

drain the whole coolant and loose most of the liquid whats left in the well,

Cheers for that Zirk 
Any tips on getting the rest of the liquid what's left in the well out? Sponge it?

Yep sponge, suck, drink it, egg cup it, anything really, just need to most out for the prep work so its nice and clean. 

As Al says, Dish Washer tablets (mixed with water first), Ive also used, Deb Orange, Home Radiator flush (Fenox F3), Industrial Oven Cleaner (that worked well), Washing detergent, basicly anything that doesn't go foamy but gets rid of grease / oil.

Takes ages to flush it properly, couple of points, takes a while for the coolant level to get back to normal capacity, and be careful using cold water in a hot engine, but Ive always found hosepipe in header tank with the drain plug at 50% works well then occasionally rev to 2500 revs to get the temp up here and there.

[Anthony in Madrid]

Just another final question...
Do I have to use exactly the same type of bolts that were on thecooler plate?
If so...where does one get them or can I just use normal bolts the same size?