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[JamesV6CDX]

Hi Guys,

This is going to be a controversial post, but here goes anyway.

The question is this - should I change my oil cooler, on my Omega. It's a W reg, 2000 facelift 2.5 V6, with just over 100,000 miles on. The coolant is currently the blue stuff.

The oil cooler has NOT failed in any way, but my reasoning is this.

I have seen so many oil cooler failures recently, on this age of car, that have caused absolute havoc, with cooling systems, heater matrix's, etc etc, getting blocked up with sludge, causing no end of problems.

For the sake of less than a hundred quid, and an afternoon tinkering, I am thinking it may well be worth changing the oil cooler (along with the coolant) for a stainless one, BEFORE it fails and does any damage. Especially with LPG on the agenda, I don't want to be stripping the engine once the conversion is done.

In fact, I've almost made up my mind that this is what I'm going to do, but I just wondered if anyone else would agree/disagree. Bearing in mind an oil cooler is absolutely no big deal for me to change myself.

Feel free to shoot me down - but I'll be interested in the replies

[Omegatoy]

its obvious you love the car, and if you have time and inclination to do it, then do it, cos preventative maintenance is a damn good thing for instance i have to change the flywheel on my car at some point and althougth the clutch has only done 31000 miles since i changed it, I will be slappng a new one in along with a new release bearing, the car doesent need them butit will ensure that i dont have to take the box out for at least another 75k as long as the actual box holds together!!! go for it James
my vote is always for preentative measures!!

[sounds2k]

... I thought they were stainless on engines of that age anyway?

Well I think most people would be put off by the amount of work involved - but that's not going to be an issue for you and it's like changing cambelt and tensioners when you first get a car with an unknown history - not neccessarily required, but at least it gives you peace of mind - so I'd say go for it  

[Markie]

its proactive....

[Dazzler]

I changed mine, whilst i had the intake off, just in case

[Craig_R]

Well they do say prevention is better than cure mate

[Jimbob]

Did mine proactively while searching for the coolant leak on a 'while we are down there' basis
It wasnt shot, but not particularly healthy either, so glad I did.

[Elite Pete]

I have changed loads of bits on the Estate, not because it needed them but because I had the bits and I am going to keep the car and wanted to know its spot on. Once (if) I sell the 3.2 I will be doing the dis pack, leads, cam cover gaskets, driver side exhaust manifold gasket and a new clutch kit

If youve got the time and money then go for it

[Markjay]

... I thought they were stainless on engines of that age anyway?

Mine failed after less than three years and 20k, and the car is 2001. Luckily it was replaced under warranty. But I would still not suggest doing it out-of-the-blue. If you happen to be taking the manifold off for another reason such as camcovers etc, then I can see the temptation though. But on balance I would say leave it well alone. My opinion anyway...

[TheBoy]

I wouldn't.

I am all for preventative maintenence, but this is taking it a step too far.

The wishbones will fail soon, will you change them now?

At 60k, the shocks are past their best, will you change them soon?

Antiroll bar bushes, trackrod ends, HID levelling sensors, stat, crank sensor, light bulbs, ABS ECU...  ...the list is endless. Will you change them now?

[JamesV6CDX]

I wouldn't.

I am all for preventative maintenence, but this is taking it a step too far.

The wishbones will fail soon, will you change them now?

At 60k, the shocks are past their best, will you change them soon?

Antiroll bar bushes, trackrod ends, HID levelling sensors, stat, crank sensor, light bulbs, ABS ECU...  ...the list is endless. Will you change them now?

Agreed for the most... but failed suspension components can just be replaced with no long lasting effects...

failed oil coolers can cause months of overheating issues...

[omegalord]

Alot of the others are more accesible than the oil cooler though arent they? , i can understand why james wants to do it now as worn shockers arent going to really affect anything else when they go, as are bottom bushes and the other things you mentioned. . A knackered oilcooler will sludg eup the whole coolant system and thats why i think he wants to do it.,

Matt

[JamesV6CDX]

Alot of the others are more accesible than the oil cooler though arent they? , i can understand why james wants to do it now as worn shockers arent going to really affect anything else when they go, as are bottom bushes and the other things you mentioned. . A knackered oilcooler will sludg eup the whole coolant system and thats why i think he wants to do it.,

Matt

Hit the nail on the head...

[omegalord]

Yeah , its why i got told when i first came on here to change the HBV when i did the rocker gaskets as its easier to do then. I didnt and thats why ive had 3 months of hell with the coolant system.

Matt

[Jay w]

personally I wouldn't touch it.....

I work on the theory if it aint broken don't fix it, mine the same age as yours and has done 143,000 on the same cooler.

that said I stand as much chance of being flamed as you do for my differing opinion