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Replace Oil Cooler or Not?

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Old Apr 2, 2010 | 05:48 PM
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Replace Oil Cooler or Not?

Hi everyone, New to posting so bare with me. Here is my problem. I had my EGR go bad on me last week, so i'm deleting it this week. The question is while i'm doing that should i replace the oil cooler also? I'v heard that the oil cooler being cloged up or not flowing the right amount of coolent may cause the EGR to go bad?. My coolent smells like its burnt and looks like ice tea. So what are your thoughts? Sorry for it being so long. The truck is an 2003 all stock and has 147,000 miles on it.
 
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Old Apr 2, 2010 | 05:54 PM
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I would. You are correct in thinking that the oil cooler causes most egr cooler issues. I believe there is a rebuild kit for it but I am not too sure.
 
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Old Apr 2, 2010 | 05:57 PM
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Definitely rebuild the oil cooler...the kit will run you around 300 bucks.

Good idea to flush that coolant also.
 
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Old Apr 2, 2010 | 06:03 PM
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Originally Posted by SteveBricks
Definitely rebuild the oil cooler...the kit will run you around 300 bucks.

Is there a procedure that is defined to flow test the oil cooler?
 
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Old Apr 2, 2010 | 06:14 PM
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Originally Posted by gearloose1
Is there a procedure that is defined to flow test the oil cooler?
There may well be.....you'd have to ask a Ford technician that question.
 
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Old Apr 2, 2010 | 06:34 PM
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I would also install a coolant filter after you are done. This will help from casting sand getting in the new one and causing you issues again.
 
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Old Apr 2, 2010 | 07:43 PM
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The reason your coolant looks like iced tea is because you oil cooler has gotten so hot, because of lack of coolant flow, that the seal between the engine block and oil cooler housing is deformed from heat and oil is being forced into the cooling system because the engine has more oil pressure than coolant pressure. More than likely your egr cooler failed because of this(lack of coolant flow through egr cooler),a lot of poeple are deleteing the egr cooler, I would consider putting a new egr cooler in also. In some states exhaust emmisions testing is ramping up, I would consider thinking this through carefully, some used 6.0 owners are now facing the fact that they have to make the truck they own 2nd hand conform to the emission laws. I would think that someone will take a stand and say "I bought it this way and I am not paying for it" at that point they might go back on the origanal owner and my get a visit from someone fron EPA. The emissions standards are goverend by the Feds for the most part.
I don't mean to preich but I think that this is something to consider.
JMO
 
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Old Apr 2, 2010 | 09:14 PM
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Originally Posted by gearloose1
Is there a procedure that is defined to flow test the oil cooler?
there was a restriction test at one time. it didnt work that well. Highly recomened to just replace the oil cooler kit. easy job and it may save you some added issues with headgaskets later down the line.
 
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Old Apr 2, 2010 | 10:05 PM
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Thanks guys, i thought i would get what i was looking for from u. Looks like i'm replacing the oil cooler to. Thanks again for youe thoughts.
 
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Old Apr 3, 2010 | 09:50 AM
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Originally Posted by jdw1
The reason your coolant looks like iced tea is because you oil cooler has gotten so hot, because of lack of coolant flow, that the seal between the engine block and oil cooler housing is deformed from heat and oil is being forced into the cooling system because the engine has more oil pressure than coolant pressure. More than likely your egr cooler failed because of this(lack of coolant flow through egr cooler),a lot of poeple are deleteing the egr cooler, I would consider putting a new egr cooler in also. In some states exhaust emmisions testing is ramping up, I would consider thinking this through carefully, some used 6.0 owners are now facing the fact that they have to make the truck they own 2nd hand conform to the emission laws. I would think that someone will take a stand and say "I bought it this way and I am not paying for it" at that point they might go back on the origanal owner and my get a visit from someone fron EPA. The emissions standards are goverend by the Feds for the most part.
I don't mean to preich but I think that this is something to consider.
JMO
No visit from the EPA in Ca. You just won't get tags for the truck and then you will get late fees tacked on unless you get an inop status and then the tires can't touch a public street.
 
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Old Apr 3, 2010 | 10:13 AM
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Originally Posted by 69cj
No visit from the EPA in Ca. You just won't get tags for the truck and then you will get late fees tacked on unless you get an inop status and then the tires can't touch a public street.
Is it possible to put agriculture plates on the truck and avoid testing? This works on my fathers farm in Indiana. I farm in Eastern Illinois and we do not have emissions testing in my county.
 
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Old Apr 3, 2010 | 10:20 AM
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Originally Posted by dschuffert
Is it possible to put agriculture plates on the truck and avoid testing? This works on my fathers farm in Indiana. I farm in Eastern Illinois and we do not have emissions testing in my county.
Ca. isn't Kansas Toto! And you don't have emissions testing yet. We didn't last year either.
 
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Old Apr 3, 2010 | 01:08 PM
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Originally Posted by 69cj
Ca. isn't Kansas Toto! And you don't have emissions testing yet. We didn't last year either.
Yes, good point. I travel to California a lot and I see a lot of farms, wineries, hydroponic facilities, etc. Seeing all of this agriculture I wondered whether this state had any exemptions or different rules for agriculture vehicles. Though, I could see how this could be the one state that doesn't.

Another valid point on the emissions testing too. People have been saying it is coming for the last 30 years. When it does, I'll deal with it. Until then, I'll take advantage of owning a farm and putting agricultural plates on it which exempts me from a lot of things, including fuel tax.
 
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Old Apr 3, 2010 | 02:50 PM
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Originally Posted by dschuffert
Yes, good point. I travel to California a lot and I see a lot of farms, wineries, hydroponic facilities, etc. Seeing all of this agriculture I wondered whether this state had any exemptions or different rules for agriculture vehicles. Though, I could see how this could be the one state that doesn't.

I'll take advantage of owning a farm and putting agricultural plates on it which exempts me from a lot of things, including fuel tax.


Them people in California do these high value added farming activities like grow-ops, they can make plants grow hydroponically in the dark!
 
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Old Apr 3, 2010 | 03:03 PM
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Originally Posted by gearloose1
Them people in California do these high value added farming activities like grow-ops, they can make plants grow hydroponically in the dark!
And if you don't like the taste of it you can smoke it! LOL.
 
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