Oil cooler cleaning service in Southern California, 914-6 oil cooler cleaning Options

[Nate W]

Wanted to show some pictures from an oil cleaner service that I recently had done on my 914-6 oil cooler. I really wanted to use this cooler, as my Dad gave it to me and it’s from a real 6 not a 911, but it had been sitting since 1980 (year I was born) and I was worried about attaching it to a nice engine. Anyway I took it to these guys Pacific Oil Coolers in La Verne ( right by Pomona fair grounds). They are a cool shop, they mostly work on aircraft coolers but also 911 oil coolers. They actually manufacture new oil coolers at their location (for planes not Porsches). The manager Wayne was very nice and gave me a tour of the facility which was impressive.

They are able to pressure test the coolers, then run them thru several steps of cleaning baths, make any repairs needed, and they put a nice new coating on the cooler (chrome-a-coat). These guys have been in business since the 60s and definitely seems knowledge since all they do is oil coolers. The cost came out to $240 because I had a crack they repaired and some dents in the case, otherwise it would be $175 for the cleaning and testing. To me this seems like a good deal since our engines are expensive to say the least and also the work/ cost / time of cleaning up the mess and replacing a faulty cooler to me is worth more than that. Just thought I would share in case anyone is looking. I don’t have anything to do with the business, got their info from Pelican but never saw it mentioned here. Their website is oilcoolers.com. Also they said most of their business is people shipping them coolers from all over so not just local.

I asked them about welding on fittings to convert from 911 to 914-6 coolers, they can do it if you provide the fitting and the dimensions.

I don’t have a before picture but it was pretty crusty and old looking, typical stains etc

[mb911]

I am going to send one to them in a few weeks

[914-300Hemi]

This is very timely as I need to have my 911 oil cooler checked.
It’s great that they right next door.

[Graydingo]

I've used them multiple times. Great company, great service, and high level of quality presumably due to the strict aircraft requirements.

[mb911]

Circling back on this. I sent a very nice cooler to them a few weeks back. It was delivered and signed 2 weeks ago. I call the following Tuesday to ensure they have it. No they have no record of it yet. They say call back Friday as they had a bunch of deliveries that past Friday. I decide to call back today about a week from the 1st call. Took about 5 minutes of searching to find my name and what I sent which is fine. Then they said nope that was red tagged as there was to much corrosion and leaks. I said that was odd as it was very nice coming off of a nice running engine with no corrosion. Anyway not sure I got the whole story but ended up buying a brand new one this afternoon.

[mepstein]

Circling back on this. I sent a very nice cooler to them a few weeks back. It was delivered and signed 2 weeks ago. I call the following Tuesday to ensure they have it. No they have no record of it yet. They say call back Friday as they had a bunch of deliveries that past Friday. I decide to call back today about a week from the 1st call. Took about 5 minutes of searching to find my name and what I sent which is fine. Then they said nope that was red tagged as there was to much corrosion and leaks. I said that was odd as it was very nice coming off of a nice running engine with no corrosion. Anyway not sure I got the whole story but ended up buying a brand new one this afternoon.

I agree. Very suspicious since I know the history of that cooler and I didn’t see any leaks when the engine came in. No complaints from the customer about oil consumption or leaks on his garage floor. He has about 20 Porsches so he’s not oblivious to how these engines work.

[raynekat]

I've used Pacific Oil Cooler a number of times.
Fair prices, quick turnarounds, and exception work/service.

They will definitely tell you up front if the cooler is "too gone" to work on or if it fails their pressure test during the job.

[mb911]

I've used Pacific Oil Cooler a number of times.
Fair prices, quick turnarounds, and exception work/service.

They will definitely tell you up front if the cooler is "too gone" to work on or if it fails their pressure test during the job.

Did you get anything in writing? I received nothing and that is what peaks my spidey senses

[Superhawk996]

Gotta say I’m not convinced about oil cooler cleaning on a 911 engine.

Yes, new coolers are outrageously expensive. But so is rebuilding an engine. $7k in machine work on case, crank, heads, rods. Another $4k - $7k for pistons and cylinders depending on source. $800 for OEM main bearings. Labor costs to assemble. It’s easy to have well over $10k into an engine rebuild.

I personally decided that isn’t worth risking a $10k-$20k engine to save $1500 by using an old cooler. I would probably feel differently if the old cooler were coming off an engine that was previously running, and well maintained that I had history with.

In my case, the 911 cooler was off an engine of unknown origin. After having it cleaned by Olies just to see “what if” and it coming up as partially plugged and leaking (looked good) I was convinced.

If you think about it, it’s basically the same as rebuilding a T4 engine - just with an extra Zero in the numbers. $100 for a T4 cooler. I’ve never reused a T4 cooler and there, we are only talking about $1 - $2k for a bare bones rebuild.

No way I’d consider buying a used 911 cooler as my starting point after that experience. Just my $0.02.

When mine failed with Olies, I didn’t get anything in writing - just a phone call. They also did send me the old cooler back. I had engraved my initials on it and I received the same one back.

[mepstein]

We usually reuse the ones off running engines. I have a Stompski pressure test tool to check for leaks. I see new for $950-1250. Seems like a lot for a common 911 part that has been made for decades.

[mb911]

Gotta say I’m not convinced about oil cooler cleaning on a 911 engine.

Yes, new coolers are outrageously expensive. But so is rebuilding an engine. $7k in machine work on case, crank, heads, rods. Another $4k - $7k for pistons and cylinders depending on source. $800 for OEM main bearings. Labor costs to assemble. It’s easy to have well over $10k into an engine rebuild.

I personally decided that isn’t worth risking a $10k-$20k engine to save $1500 by using an old cooler. I would probably feel differently if the old cooler were coming off an engine that was previously running, and well maintained that I had history with.

In my case, the 911 cooler was off an engine of unknown origin. After having it cleaned by Olies just to see “what if” and it coming up as partially plugged and leaking (looked good) I was convinced.

If you think about it, it’s basically the same as rebuilding a T4 engine - just with an extra Zero in the numbers. $100 for a T4 cooler. I’ve never reused a T4 cooler and there, we are only talking about $1 - $2k for a bare bones rebuild.

No way I’d consider buying a used 911 cooler as my starting point after that experience. Just my $0.02.

When mine failed with Olies, I didn’t get anything in writing - just a phone call. They also did send me the old cooler back. I had engraved my initials on it and I received the same one back.

I ended up buying new from gaudin Porsche yesterday and oh boy did that hurt. I only ever ran the block off plate on this engine during break in- 2000 miles. then decided I really wanted another cooler not that there was ever a problem but wanted to make sure it could stay cool.

[Superhawk996]

I see new for $950-1250. Seems like a lot for a common 911 part that has been made for decades.

Same can be said for OEM main bearings (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

Porsche = pay to play (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[mb911]

I see new for $950-1250. Seems like a lot for a common 911 part that has been made for decades.

Same can be said for OEM main bearings (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

Porsche = pay to play (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

That’s how I looked at it yesterday. Just have to sell more oil tanks and sheet metal to offset this

[914-300Hemi]

I had Pacific Oil Cooler check my oil cooler and they said that it was leaking and could not be repaired. I was happy to hear that I found the source of my leak.
He also gave me a tour of the place and it is quite impressive.
Now I need to buy a new one.

It seems that Porsche dealers are selling it at a discounted price.

[Superhawk996]

It seems that Porsche dealers are selling it at a discounted price.

I noticed the same thing yesterday. This thread had me all wound up so I finally ended up ordering one.

It will be a couple years before I get my 2.4l assembled but figured I’d get one now before inflation makes it worse.

[mb911]

It seems that Porsche dealers are selling it at a discounted price.

I noticed the same thing yesterday. This thread had me all wound up so I finally ended up ordering one.

It will be a couple years before I get my 2.4l assembled but figured I’d get one now before inflation makes it worse.

Porsche sells them for about $950. The ones that are advertised for less are the old part number and they will accept the order and then a day or so later email you with the updated part number and the new price. Pelican have them for another 2-300 on top of that.

[RKramden]

Wanted to give a shout out to Ultrasonic Cleaning in Carson (So. Cal) as well. They cleaned and pressure tested my cooler off of a 2.7 even during Covid! Personally, I really don't see the isssue over using a used cooler. There are no moving parts, they will not have a complete failure and any leaks would be noticed long before you lose an engine. If you have it professionally cleaned, you get a pressure test readout which I don't beleive you get with a new one.

[Superhawk996]

Personally, I really don't see the isssue over using a used cooler.

You’ve forgotten about the potential for shrapnel to be in the cooler if the engine it came off an engine that had a catastrophic failure. Shrapnel has a propensity to get hung up in small passages only to come loose at a later time.

If the cooler is off a running engine you have a personal history with, cleaning is a reasonable solution.

If buying a cooler used, off an engine that had who knows what happen to it leading to its demise? Personally, I’m not going to risk a $10k - $20k engine rebuild to the chance that old engine parts may come out of the used but cleaned cooler.

[mb911]

Personally, I really don't see the isssue over using a used cooler.

You’ve forgotten about the potential for shrapnel to be in the cooler if the engine it came off an engine that had a catastrophic failure. Shrapnel has a propensity to get hung up in small passages only to come loose at a later time.

If the cooler is off a running engine you have a personal history with, cleaning is a reasonable solution.

If buying a cooler used, off an engine that had who knows what happen to it leading to its demise? Personally, I’m not going to risk a $10k - $20k engine rebuild to the chance that old engine parts may come out of the used but cleaned cooler.

I am on this ship now as well.

[Justinp71]

Interesting timing. I just sent my oil cooler out I have had for 15 years to pacific oil coolers for a refresh. I called them today and they have it, supposed to be done next week. Let you know my experience. I was wondering if they send you flow bench test results to see how the flow improved after cleaning.