Removing Oil Cooler with Engine IN Options

[tornik550]

A few days ago I changed my oil cooler seals with the engine in the car using instructions that are posted on pelican parts. It was a very bad experience and I will never do it again. I was quite upset when I got everything back together and saw that the leak was not fixed. I realized that I had to remove the oil cooler which I have always been told must be removed with the engine out of the car. As I was preparing to remove the engine, I decided to try to see if I could remove the cooler without removing the engine.

Bottomline- it is easy to do and MUCH quicker than removing the engine.

List of tools-
Jack
Jack Stands
Socket wrench
Socket set (I forget the sizes- I think 10mm and 13mm)
Various socket extensions
Allen wrench set (size- I forget)
Flat head screwdriver
Beer- for step 11


Instructions-
1- Place car high on 4 or more jack stands.
2- Remove 10 cheesehead screws from the from engine tins. most of them are obvious however there are three that tough to find. One that is accessible from the top. it is located right (passenger side) of center in the area that dips into the fan. There is one that is accessible from under the car. It is located under the alternator. The other difficult to find one is on the very front of the tin in front of the fan facing the firewall. Be aware that there may be some bolts that are hidden under the engine bay seals. Also, the above tin info is based on my car which has 2.0 tins, others may be different.
3- Under car- remove the tranny shift linkage. There is one hex bolts that needs to be removed just behind the firewall and in front of the engine mount bar. (side shifter only- I am not familiar with rear shift)
4-Under car- pull the drivers side front engine tin down and remove. Then remove the other tin by pulling them down also. You can now access the fan.
5- Loosen the alternator
6- Under car- Removed 3 fan bolts and remove fan
7- Disconnect the alternator from starter and from relay board
8- Under car- Remove 4 cooling shroud nuts and remove cooling shroud. Pull the shroud out the bottom.
9- Remove the oil cooler

10- Cold Beer

11- Put everything back on in reverse.

This was my first time trying this. It took me about 45 minutes. I think that removing everything could take only about 15-20min. Putting everything back together takes a bit longer.

Thanks,
Steve