Oil leaking from the oil cooler, Procedure question Options

[Txbentleyboy]

Does the engine need to be removed to change the seals?

Any and all thoughts are appreciated!

[Jack Standz]

Come on people, it's only three 10mm (2 easy to get to) nuts and 1 fastener (easy to get to) located at the end of the oil cooler.

For only one fiddly nut, it's such a waste of time and effort to pull the engine IMHO. The reality is that it's so much more difficult just to remove the CV bolts & CVSs. And that's only a small part of removing the motor.

Pull out an assortment of small extensions and a universal joint and get that little nut off. Then slide the cooler to the side. Then put some super glue (or grease) on the side of a long skinny screwdriver to properly locate the two seals. Do not over-tighten the fasteners. That's probably why it leaked.

[Superhawk996]

Come on people . . .

I would almost agree with you IF it were only the oil cooler seals leaking.

Personally, I’ve never seen an engine with only the oil cooler leaking and everything else in great shape.

There are so many other things that can be easily done when the engine is out

• Valve adjust with super easy access
• Easily replace spark plugs
• Inspect / replace hard brittle vacuum hoses
• Inspect engine wiring
• Front main seal if needed
• Rear main seal if needed
• Push rod tube seals if needed
• Inspect / replace clutch
• inspect engine mounts
• Inspect & replace throw out bearing and plastic pivot cup & fork sliders
• Inspect / tighten / replace alternator belt
• Inspect shift linkage bushings and coupler
• General engine clean up for more efficient cooling.

A reoccurring theme on this site is how leaky and unreliable these cars can be for some folks. Well yeah - if the engine hasn’t been pulled in 30 years and routine maintenance has been deferred because each owner was afraid to pull the engine what else would we expect?

This need not turn into Dirk Wright syndrome. But having the engine out is a good time to put eyes on things that would rarely been so easily seen and accessed.