I noticed while reading some review on my 2003 that an engine oil cooler was part of the towing package...Bought the truck used, and was wondering how I could tell if I had one? Where would it be located under the hood?

Mike

 

you sure it was not a transmission cooler? that would make more sense.

 

All auto tranny models have a tranny cooler, towing package does have oil cooler added.

 

what i meant was a external tranny cooler . all autos have the coil cooler in the radiator which is really a preheater. i have nevr ever seen a escape with a engine oil cooler.

 

Yes, some have oil coolers. My 02 XLS auto V6 didn't (no towing package) but my 05 XLS I4 auto does (no towing package). The oil cooler can be seen between the engine and the oil filter if one exists. It's a block with two radiator type hoses attached. Very easy to see. Ford wasn't consistant on some of the models. I know of some early 05 Escapes (spring 2004) that did NOT have the oil coolers but I believe these didn't have the towing package. Then they started adding them to even the I4 models.

I believe tranny coolers are on all auto trannies. Easy to tell by looking for the short radiator at the bottom-front of the truck.

 

Nanner....you're correct...this is what prompted my question.....I've never heard of an engine oil cooler as being part of a towing package....tranny coolers yes...engine oil coolers....HUH???? But as per the specs, it is a fact. I've never seen one therefore I was trying to find out hot to recognize if I had one hehehe!! I have the tranny cooler...I'll look near the oil filter to see if anythings there. It appears from the specs that without this your towing capability drops significantly.

 

Does anyone know how to install the engine oil cooler if there wasn't one before?

 

Hi,
I have an added engine oil cooler on my 03 Escape.
I bought mine from Summit racing and it is a Derale brand combination Oil/Tranny cooler. See:
http://www.derale.com/engineoilcoolers.shtml

I bought the 15902 model but 15402, 15502, 15602 would work probably as well for the oil.

Yes, there is a tranny cooler on all V6 Escapes but I decided to add this because it was not that much more in cost and thought the added protection while towing was a safeguard.

Now adding this type oil cooler involves adding a heat exchanger radiator in front of the main radiators behind the grill, and adding the sandwich adapter underneath the oil filter. This sandwich is very similar to the factory one that would have been there and has two places to attach the oil hoses. It has a bi-metallic strip device that prevents the oil from going to the cooler until it's warmed up a bit. When cold the oil just circulates through the filter.
Then the 2 lines from the sandwich to the heat exchanger. It's not too difficult but after getting it installed the system uses maybe about 1/3 quart more oil. Check very carefully for a while that there are no leaks in the sandwich (oil dripping off the bottom of the filter and dropping on the exhaust is a good smell-not). And at the heat exchanger. It'd be a good idea to put some cardboard where the car sits and look for oil on it to be sure. I'm saying to check because I had one small issue with a leak on the sandwich adapter O ring seal. I called Derale and they sent me two new O rings immediately. Tightening this sandwich adapter involves having a socket wrench that will fit properly over the oil filter threads so you may need to buy a deeper socket.
It has worked very well now with no leak for about a year so far (knock on wood) and I have towed a 3000 lb sailboat trailer for a few hours and over some fair hills with no change in the oil gauge reading over what it read before.

~Bilbo

 

How did you mount it? Did it come with brackets designed for the Escape? Thanks.