Oil leak down filter

[MtnHaul]

Well that Dorman part# checks out and the gaskets look right. Maybe the torque spec is different with the aluminum gaskets--I've never used one myself so I don't know anything about 'em. I used paper gaskets with Hi-Tack to help hold 'em in place and a little RTV to help seal. I suppose if I were in your situation I might try slightly tightening the bolts at the leaky header in the hopes that I wouldn't have to pull the cooler out and try again.

 

[cardana24]

Well that Dorman part# checks out and the gaskets look right. Maybe the torque spec is different with the aluminum gaskets--I've never used one myself so I don't know anything about 'em. I used paper gaskets with Hi-Tack to help hold 'em in place and a little RTV to help seal. I suppose if I were in your situation I might try slightly tightening the bolts at the leaky header in the hopes that I wouldn't have to pull the cooler out and try again.

I already tried snugging them up. I’m worried I will break one especially the long one. What tq spec did you use? I have thought about taking them out one by one and re torquing them. I don’t have much to loose at this point but I don’t want to deal with a broken off bolt.

 

[MtnHaul]

It's been a while but pretty sure I used 24 ft-lbs.

 

[cardana24]

I tried to take a video of where it’s leaking. I’m not sure I can tell for sure. I loosened the bolts and re torqued them but it did not make a difference.
https://youtube.com/shorts/fcxjLwrDWJQ

 

[IDIBRONCO]

Are you absolutely positive that it's not leaking on the front side and running around to this area where you can see it? I'm just wondering if an oil cooler o-ring got nicked slightly and is leaking. That's assuming that you did reseal your oil cooler. I don't remember at this point. That seems more likely to be where the leak is coming from to me.

 

[cardana24]

Are you absolutely positive that it's not leaking on the front side and running around to this area where you can see it? I'm just wondering if an oil cooler o-ring got nicked slightly and is leaking. That's assuming that you did reseal your oil cooler. I don't remember at this point. That seems more likely to be where the leak is coming from to me.

I’m not 100% sure. It’s hard to see on the other side but I’ll give it a shot later. I did put new o rings in the oil
Cooler. What are the chances I could have cracked the housing? I was really rocking the engine when I was trying to put it on with the turbo installed.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

What are the chances I could have cracked the housing?

It's possible. I'm just hoping for a cheaper solution for you. You probably won't know the answer to that question until you pull the cooler back off. From my experience, it's way more common to crank one of the end caps when you're taking it apart rather than when you're putting it back together. Not that it really helps you much. I'm afraid that at this point, you're stuck with pulling the oil cooler back off, but I'd still try to hold your inspection mirror up to the bottom of the cooler to check for leaking o-rings.

 

[cardana24]

It's possible. I'm just hoping for a cheaper solution for you. You probably won't know the answer to that question until you pull the cooler back off. From my experience, it's way more common to crank one of the end caps when you're taking it apart rather than when you're putting it back together. Not that it really helps you much. I'm afraid that at this point, you're stuck with pulling the oil cooler back off, but I'd still try to hold your inspection mirror up to the bottom of the cooler to check for leaking o-rings.

Okay so how much of a pain is it to pull the cooler while on the truck? I have another oil cooler I have that I can re do to have one ready to go? When I google it it sounds like the ps pump needs to be removed and the steering shaft needs to come out? Does that sound right? Any great tips?

 

[MtnHaul]

No great tips here but I recall removing the steering shaft. Removing the oil cooler wasn't so bad but it was very awkward finagling the assembly back into place while not disturbing the gaskets or the carefully clocked headers. To be honest I was amazed that I got it right on my first try with no leaks.

Some good info from a member here https://www.nickpisca.com/diesel/engine/6-9-and-7-3-idi-oil-cooler-repair/

 

[cardana24]

No great tips here but I recall removing the steering shaft. Removing the oil cooler wasn't so bad but it was very awkward finagling the assembly back into place while not disturbing the gaskets or the carefully clocked headers. To be honest I was amazed that I got it right on my first try with no leaks.

Some good info from a member here https://www.nickpisca.com/diesel/engine/6-9-and-7-3-idi-oil-cooler-repair/

Thanks for that. Any idea if the engine needs to be lifted to get it out?

 

[IDIBRONCO]

Thanks for that. Any idea if the engine needs to be lifted to get it out?

If you lift that side of the engine, it's MUCH easier than trying to remove the p/s pump and steering shaft, and then R&R the oil cooler. Pull the block drain and let it finish draining before you lift the engine. It will still make a mess, but it will be smaller than if you hadn't. MtnHaul is right about the gaskets. It's nerve wracking to me until I have at least a couple of bolts back in each header.

 

[quickster]

Pull off the drivers side wheel also. Once the motor is jacked, you can remove the rubber wheel well shroud and access a few bolts with a long extension. It's a pain but very doable. Stick the gaskets on because they will be falling off while you're trying to bolt up. Like Bronco said, pull the block drain while it's level.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

Stick the gaskets on because they will be falling off while you're trying to bolt up.

IIRC, I would use a thin layer of RTV on the cooler headers themselves to hold the gaskets on. Push them slightly onto the RTV to make sure that they are held on well. Wait for 20-30 minutes for the RTV to tack up well. Then put the cooler back up where it goes.

 

[cardana24]

Thanks guys. I just want to make sure I am understanding you all correctly. If I lift the engine then there is no need to mess with the power steering or steering shaft?

I picked up another set of oil cooler o-rings and gaskets yesterday, this time I did get the felpro set and the gaskets with these are also aluminum. Do you all still recommend using rtv with the aluminum gaskets?

As far as draining fluids for this job I am thinking I will not need to drain the oil (it’s brand new) because the cooler is above the oil pan. For the coolant I was going to clamp off my radiator hoses and then pull the left side block drain. Does this sound right to you all?

 

[79jasper]

I never touched the steering shaft, lifted the engine, or any of that extra stuff.
You need to drain the oil. Too risky getting coolant in there. Sure, you can drain it into a clean container to reuse.

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