VP 2003t oil cooler and heat exchanger

[Cardinal]

Has anyone recently fixed problems with these items and if so, how? Did you use a Bowman oil cooler and if so, how is it mounted etc. and did you also swap the heat exchanger for some Bowman heat exchanger?

 

[Cardinal]

I am confident that some of you have been down this road before but as my post has yet to receive a reply, may I ask specifically if there is a known alternative to the original heat exchanger and if so, what it may be and how to go about plumbing it in?
I expect to have to remove the HE in order to remove the oil cooler which has started to lose oil and I expect that the HE will turn out to be past its best, so a replacement will be advised. I should prefer to have a plan B before the HE is removed.

 

[mattnj]

i did mine years ago (now sold) and once all taken apart (from memory starter comes off first?) it was all in good order and cleaned up/went back on ok..
it was however leaking when i started and looked in a bad way...

Take it off, you may find you have no major problem...

 

[Cardinal]

Thanks. Are you referring to the HE or the oil cooler?

 

[Bilgediver]

What is your problem? These are usually serviceable items but should not require more than servicing. IE brush clear the tubes replace anodes if present and refit with new joints.

Problems in the heat exchanger would get your attention by continuous changes in coolant or oil level. This would possibly be due to a leaky tube and such tubes can often be replaced or if only one leaking and operating in the UK colder waters then the tube can be plugged at both ends with brass taper plugs. Might have to ask a friend with a lathe to help here.
Your Yellow pages or Google should find a suitable service company such as Serck in your area.

 

[Cardinal]

Thanks BD. I guess I need to get on and pull it apart to be sure but I have been working on the assumption that the oil cooler will have corroded causing it to deposit most of the engine oil into the bilge. There is no other cause apparent so far.

 

[Bilgediver]

Thanks BD. I guess I need to get on and pull it apart to be sure but I have been working on the assumption that the oil cooler will have corroded causing it to deposit most of the engine oil into the bilge. There is no other cause apparent so far.

If this is the case then you should be able to detect leakage when running the engine. Try wiping clean and then run the engine and see of wiping below with clean tissue indicates oil and try and identify the source. If the pitting is limited to a small area then a local repair could be satisfactory. Even this might be dealt with by Serk of you cannot manage to solder a doubler plate while you look for a good used or new one.

 

[Cardinal]

Thanks again. I have already observed a fast drip from the front end of the oil cooler where the union however seems quite tight and reckoned that the oil must be coming out a bit farther aft where I cannot see it. It seems likely that the Bowman replacement will be a solution and perhaps I am unduly pessimistic regarding the heat exchanger. Your encouragement is welcome.

 

[mattnj]

Thanks. Are you referring to the HE or the oil cooler?

Both, get in there, take it all apart, and all will hopefully become clear...its not a hard job.... good luck.

 

[Cardinal]

By way of update, on removing the oil cooler it was clear that whilst the leak was due to a slightly loosened union, the casing was badly corroded so I replaced with a Bowman. The heat exchanger seemed fine so was refitted. A certain amount of rerouting the plumbing was required but seems a successful modification.