P38A Cleaning engine oil cooler (inside)

Hi All,

Had the opportunity to remove some parts form a seized 2.5 diesel (the oil hadn't been changed for years and engine seized. Since I am keen to take my 95 manual DT on a good trip this year, thought I might do some jobs. One was to change the oil cooler pipes. So noticed the doner pipes and cooler are dated 2012 thought I would use them but....... The pipes were actually completely clogged with oil the consistency of dog pooh. I have cleaned the pipes but wondering if I can do anything with the oil cooler but might try and get the corroded pipes off the original.

I have gotten the first layer of oily slug out by using petrol, washing up liquid and boiling water. Currently in the garage with 100ml(ish) petrol in it stood upright on the bench. Tomorrow will try and get the hose to run through it. Does anybody have any other suggestions? Obviously just get a new one, why risk the engine but does seem a pity as clearly is not old and seems quite a solid unit.

Sorry to say have few more questions on other things but will start a new thread(s).

Thanks in advance.

Trying to get corroded pipes off sounds like a recipe for disaster!

Petrol probably the cheapest solution. See what I did there? I'll get my coat ...

Years ago you used to be able to get some yakkum from motorcycle repairers which disolved the carbon in two stroke bike exhausts - but I'm going waaay back

But any petroleum based distillate should do the trick.

That stuff used on 2 stroke exhausts was Caustic Soda.
Use that and it would dissolve contaminants beautifully. Would also have the unwelcome side effect of dissolving any aluminium in the oil cooler rad and fittings- which is the entire cooler!
An Acetone wash out would be my suggestion

Thanks guys, have given it some more tlc today and seems fairly clear, petrol, washing powder, boiling water and final reverse flushed with hose pipe. A piece of 15mm copper with an olive tightened on a couple of millimetres from the end seated in the oil cooler quite well. Will give it some acetone tomorrow. Have to make it work as experimented with getting the old pipes of the original oil cooler.................. enough said..........

Jerseyp38 said:

Have to make it work as experimented with getting the old pipes of the original oil cooler.................. enough said..........

Click to expand...

You're not the first to have discovered that!