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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Oil change. Disconnect cooler pipe.

Since I last did an oil change on my Sprite, I have fitted an oil cooler, so now it's time for a service, do I disconnect one of the cooler pipes to drain the cooler?(bottom entry and exit).

Bernie.
b higginson

I don't on mine.
Bob Beaumont

I have never felt the need for an oil cooler on my cars but this year I treated both to some Castrol engine shampoo before the oil change.
Alan Anstead

Nor me.
Jeremy MkIII

Some years I have drained the oil from the cooler but generally I don't bother. All it means by not draining it is that you haven't quite done a complete oil change every year.

I suppose if I had a mega high mileage year and the oil looked particularly dark or had a bad smell on the oil change, then that would be when I would drain (and perhaps flush with a bit of clean) the oil in the cooler.

The bigger the cooler the bigger the difference not draining the cooler makes.
Daniel

Need to qualify my comment as I was replying to Bob's comment not Alan's. Alan just beat me to posting!
Jeremy MkIII

Alan,
I’m interested to know; did you see much difference when you drained the old oil following the shampoo?
Philip Sellen

Phil
Indeed. Much darker than had been shown previously on the dipstick.
Alan
Alan Anstead

No I can't be bothered either to drain the cooler. Very messy. I agree a cooler isn't necessary on standard engines, but my modded 998 gets very hot on summer track days so I thought it would be a good idea.
Les Rose

My Sebring Rep runs hot is heavy traffic so I decided to remove the oil cooler. Giving it a good run after the cooler was removed, the oil temperature pretty well matches the water temperature. What is odd is that without the cooler the oil pressure with a cold engine rose from just under 80 to 90+. I have checked the prv and done the engine clean suggested by Alan but to no avail. Once it's warm it is as it was previously.
Graeme Williams

"I have never felt the need for an oil cooler on my cars but this year I treated both to some Castrol engine shampoo before the oil change."

My 1500 doesn't have an oil cooler. I have driven it on some of the hottest days of the year, and it doesn't overheat.
Chris Madge

This thread was discussed between 23/10/2021 and 09/11/2021

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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