Maintenance knowledge

The function of the oil cooler is to cool the lubricating oil and maintain the oil temperature within the normal operating range. On high-power reinforced engines, due to the high heat load, an oil cooler must be installed. When the engine is running, the viscosity of the oil becomes thinner with increasing temperature, which reduces the lubrication capacity. Therefore, some engines are equipped with oil coolers, which lower the oil temperature and maintain a certain viscosity of the lubricating oil. The oil cooler is arranged in the lubrication system circulation oil circuit.

Types of oil coolers

1) Air-cooled oil cooler

The core of the air-cooled oil cooler consists of many cooling pipes and cooling plates. When the car is driving, the oil cooler core is cooled by the oncoming wind of the car. Air cooled oil coolers require good ventilation around them, and it is difficult to ensure sufficient ventilation space on ordinary cars, so they are rarely used. This type of cooler is commonly used in racing cars because of their high speed and large cooling air volume.

2) Water cooled oil cooler

The oil cooler is placed in the cooling water circuit and uses the temperature of the cooling water to control the temperature of the lubricating oil. When the temperature of the lubricating oil is high, it is cooled by cooling water. When the engine starts, heat is absorbed from the cooling water, causing the lubricating oil to rapidly increase in temperature. The oil cooler consists of an aluminum alloy shell, front cover, rear cover, and copper core tube. In order to enhance cooling, heat sinks are also installed outside the pipe. Cooling water flows outside the pipe, while lubricating oil flows inside the pipe, exchanging heat between the two. There are also structures that allow oil to flow outside the pipe and water to flow inside the pipe.