Is my oil cooler overkill for the street?

Chuck33079 · 09-04-2013, 08:51 AM

Making the blockoff plate isn't the worst thing in the world. Personally, I'd rather have to throw a block off plate on it in cooler temps than have to baby the car all summer long without an oil cooler. If it really bothers you, take it off. Someone will buy it from you.

I still think there was some kind of snafu with the plate. The way I understand it, it would close back up again as it cools down, so you shouldn't have temps under 180 on the freeway. Again, this is all hypothetical to me since I live in a place where summer goes until October. Someone from a more normal climate may be able to help more.

bmarcinczyk14 · 09-04-2013, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

Making the blockoff plate isn't the worst thing in the world. Personally, I'd rather have to throw a block off plate on it in cooler temps than have to baby the car all summer long without an oil cooler. If it really bothers you, take it off. Someone will buy it from you.

I still think there was some kind of snafu with the plate. The way I understand it, it would close back up again as it cools down, so you shouldn't have temps under 180 on the freeway. Again, this is all hypothetical to me since I live in a place where summer goes until October. Someone from a more normal climate may be able to help more.

The Z1 plate is rated at 169, so having it dip below 180 degrees on the hwy doesn't cause me to question its functionality, what is causing me to question it is the long oil warm up times.

SouthArk370Z · 09-04-2013, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmarcinczyk14

I'm beginning to think either my thermo plate did not get installed or it's not working properly. This morning it was 64 degrees and it took 18 miles just for my oil temp to hit 180, and once I started cruising on the hwy at 80mph it started going below 180. That is ridiculous! I almost wish I didn't have this cooler, I should not have to wait that long before I can go wot with piece of mind.

As per others, put something in front of the cooler to block flow (doesn't have to be permanent for this test; a piece of cardboard will work) and see what happens. If temp rises faster, you may have a thermostat problem.

ltullos · 09-05-2013, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

Making the blockoff plate isn't the worst thing in the world. Personally, I'd rather have to throw a block off plate on it in cooler temps than have to baby the car all summer long without an oil cooler.

2nd! In case you missed it in my previous post, here's my cheap but clean solution for block-off plate where I can resize as needed.

Chuck33079 · 09-04-2013, 08:57 AM

I think you're basically at the point where you need to fashion some type of cover for colder months, or take the cooler off.

bmarcinczyk14 · 09-04-2013, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

I think you're basically at the point where you need to fashion some type of cover for colder months, or take the cooler off.

I'll see how it goes, the Z will be stored during the winter months. Will continuously driving the car taking 18 miles to reach 180 degree oil temp be bad for the engine?

PaulZ370 · 09-05-2013, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmarcinczyk14

The Z1 plate is rated at 169, so having it dip below 180 degrees on the hwy doesn't cause me to question its functionality, what is causing me to question it is the long oil warm up times.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

I think you're basically at the point where you need to fashion some type of cover for colder months, or take the cooler off.

In fashioning a DIY 'blocking plate' for my oil cooler (19 row by the way) due to the loooong warm up times during winter times, I did the following. Wanting a lightweight but durable blocking plate, I went to Home Depot and bought an aluminum 'For Sale' sign , Flat Black (matte) spray paint can and a roll of industrial strength double stick tape (Gummy kind with a red peel-off covering). I measured the outside width of the cooler and the height to which the top 3 - 4 rows of the cooler would still be exposed, then cut the sign accordingly. I spray painted it per the directions on the can (about 3 layers) and secured it to the cooler with the double stick tape. Being that the tape is grey in cooler and would show from the front of the car, I further taped it up with some black electrical tape I happened to have handy. The result? faster warm up times (about 6-7 miles / 5 minutes) in 40ish degree weather up to 180°F. I don't drive her the short distance to work if temps are below 40°F. Here's a pic of what the DIY blocking plate looks like - it's on the Driver's side and it is hard to see... (exactly what I wanted):Capture.JPG

bmarcinczyk14 · 09-05-2013, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulZ370

In fashioning a DIY 'blocking plate' for my oil cooler (19 row by the way) due to the loooong warm up times during winter times, I did the following. Wanting a lightweight but durable blocking plate, I went to Home Depot and bought an aluminum 'For Sale' sign , Flat Black (matte) spray paint can and a roll of industrial strength double stick tape (Gummy kind with a red peel-off covering). I measured the outside width of the cooler and the height to which the top 3 - 4 rows of the cooler would still be exposed, then cut the sign accordingly. I spray painted it per the directions on the can (about 3 layers) and secured it to the cooler with the double stick tape. Being that the tape is grey in cooler and would show from the front of the car, I further taped it up with some black electrical tape I happened to have handy. The result? faster warm up times (about 6-7 miles / 5 minutes) in 40ish degree weather up to 180°F. I don't drive her the short distance to work if temps are below 40°F. Here's a pic of what the DIY blocking plate looks like - it's on the Driver's side and it is hard to see... (exactly what I wanted):Attachment 75961

Do you have a thermostatic sandwich plate also?

PaulZ370 · 09-05-2013, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmarcinczyk14

Do you have a thermostatic sandwich plate also?

Nope... I did not know of its existence when I ordered my Oil Cooler Kit...

bmarcinczyk14 · 09-10-2013, 08:22 PM

Does anyone know if there are any cosmetic differences between the Z1 regular sandwich plate and a thermostatic one? I'll be bringing my car to the shop that installed my oil cooler on Saturday due to a oil leak somewhere around the filter area. If there's any cosmetic differences, I'll be able to take a look at the plate while their inspecting the leak and verify if it's thermostatic or not.

Chuck33079 · 09-04-2013, 09:05 AM

I doubt you'll have a problem with the oil being too cold, although your fuel economy may take a bit of a hit since you're in the cold start part of the map more.

bmarcinczyk14 · 09-04-2013, 04:20 PM

The thermo sandwich plate is the piece the oil filter screws onto, correct? So if my kit came with a thermo sandwich plate, its basically a requirement for it to be installed, correct?

SouthArk370Z · 09-04-2013, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmarcinczyk14

The thermo sandwich plate is the piece the oil filter screws onto, correct? So if my kit came with a thermo sandwich plate, its basically a requirement for it to be installed, correct?

Not all plates are thermostatic. You will definitely have an adapter plate but it may or may not have a thermostat. There may be some markings on the plate (eg, model number) that would tell you if it has a thermo or not.

A Q&D test would be to feel the lines going to the cooler as the engine warms up. If the hoses warm up at a more-or-less constant rate, you have no thermo. If they stay fairly cool and then warm up suddenly when the oil temp gets close to the thermo setting, you have a thermo. Not fool-proof but worth a try.

spearfish25 · 12-31-2013, 06:18 AM

Use Velcro to hold the plate on. Easy to place and remove every year.

09-04-2013, 08:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29540	Making the blockoff plate isn't the worst thing in the world. Personally, I'd rather have to throw a block off plate on it in cooler temps than have to baby the car all summer long without an oil cooler. If it really bothers you, take it off. Someone will buy it from you. I still think there was some kind of snafu with the plate. The way I understand it, it would close back up again as it cools down, so you shouldn't have temps under 180 on the freeway. Again, this is all hypothetical to me since I live in a place where summer goes until October. Someone from a more normal climate may be able to help more. SouthArk370Z likes this. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

09-04-2013, 08:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29540	I think you're basically at the point where you need to fashion some type of cover for colder months, or take the cooler off. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

09-10-2013, 08:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
bmarcinczyk14 Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 505 Drives: 2010 370z 6spd Sport Rep Power: 18	Does anyone know if there are any cosmetic differences between the Z1 regular sandwich plate and a thermostatic one? I'll be bringing my car to the shop that installed my oil cooler on Saturday due to a oil leak somewhere around the filter area. If there's any cosmetic differences, I'll be able to take a look at the plate while their inspecting the leak and verify if it's thermostatic or not. __________________ '10 370z -- '09 Ducati 848 -- '05 Kawasaki 636 Track Bike -- '02 Sentra SE-R Spec V

09-04-2013, 09:05 AM	#11 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29540	I doubt you'll have a problem with the oil being too cold, although your fuel economy may take a bit of a hit since you're in the cold start part of the map more. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

09-04-2013, 04:20 PM	#12 (permalink)
bmarcinczyk14 Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 505 Drives: 2010 370z 6spd Sport Rep Power: 18	The thermo sandwich plate is the piece the oil filter screws onto, correct? So if my kit came with a thermo sandwich plate, its basically a requirement for it to be installed, correct? __________________ '10 370z -- '09 Ducati 848 -- '05 Kawasaki 636 Track Bike -- '02 Sentra SE-R Spec V

12-31-2013, 06:18 AM	#14 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1858	Use Velcro to hold the plate on. Easy to place and remove every year. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

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