Significant oil leak

wdshea · Post by **wdshea** » 15 Dec 2009, 22:47

I believe it is called the oil cooler adapter. My chevy 350 has one, it adapts the oil filter connection to allow motor oil cooling.

I just picked up this 960 that supposedly had a blown head gasket when it was parked. I think it sat for a long time (a year or more). Anyway, changed the oil, put on the fuel rail (the other had been robbed), and poured some new gas. Tried to start, but never a good fire up. I tried a few times and quit. Then while inspecting underneath the vehicle I noticed oil leaking from the "oil cooler adapter". When I say leaking I don't mean a drip, but a consistent "string" of oil leaking.

My question(s):
Is this common?
What might be my problem?
Can I delete the oil cooler?

On my 350 it is claimed that the oil cooler is not necessary for typical driving scenarios, and is preferably removed since it adds more areas for leaks. People remove them all the time without any hitch. I recognize that this is a Volvo and not a Chevy but I thought I would throw that out there.

Post by **IVIUSTANG** » 15 Dec 2009, 23:31

Overheated, blew head gasket, seized? Those are the scary words that first come to mind, I think I'm wrong though since you said you tried to start it, so it turned over good? The 960 is not my specialty so I don't know if it has an oil cooler etc, someone else should chime in with specifics.

Keep in mind oil does a lot of cooling as well as it keeps temperatures more even across the block and carries it(heat) to where the antifreeze can dissipate it. Overheating can cause a warped head etc and could be blamed for a head gasket failure. If you are losing a stream of oil out that line then chances are it was driven with little or no oil in the engine which in turn caused an overheat scenario? Just an opinion.

- Jesse

wdshea · Post by **wdshea** » 15 Dec 2009, 23:45

it still had a full pan of oil, as far as i could tell. a lot of oil did come out, and i didn't measure it, but it seemed reasonable.

it doesn't look like the leak is from one of the cooler lines themselves, it seems like it is from the adapter. from what i gathered, granted this was in the dark with a mag-lite, but it looks like the connection between the adapter and the block was leaking.

p.s. i also noticed coolant on the adapter.

is there a gasket that goes between there?
how do i get it off? there is a big ass bolt that goes through it, i figure i'll start there but i have to go by a bigger crescent!

any help is greatly appreciated.

wdshea · Post by **wdshea** » 17 Dec 2009, 10:13

found out it was my oil cooler adapter. apparently the previous own had hit a rock with the cooler adapter and knocked a pinhole in it causing it to leak coolant.

then after removal i noticed that the seal from the adapter to the engine was non-existant. i'm really glad it wouldn't start...