Cooling system refresh

[ac427]

It's a rare 36.5⁰C / 97.7⁰F outside temperature in the UK. I've never seen the oil temp go past the 100⁰C mark until today.

I did have the radiator and condenser cleaned of debris but i think it is time to probably replace the condenser at least.

I know DO88 make a nice radiator but it doesn't have the OEM pipe connectors on it.

Has anyone bought an OEM radiator recently?

[jayjaya29]

If it aint broke dont fix it.

[ac427]

If it aint broke dont fix it.

True but the car is on 198k miles. So probably the original radiator and oil cooler. It should be able to cope with these high temperatures.

So it's slightly broken

Is there an alternative to the OEM oil cooler?

[bigjae46]

The oil cooler and Ac condenser take the beating from road debris. I'd start there before replacing the radiator.

[jayjaya29]

Oil temperature and coolant temperature are not directly correlated. 100C is not even that hot for the oil.

[ac427]

Oil temperature and coolant temperature are not directly correlated. 100C is not even that hot for the oil.

True and the displayed oil temp is not actually the real oil temperature.

[ac427]

The oil cooler and Ac condenser take the beating from road debris. I'd start there before replacing the radiator.

Thanks, i do actually have a brand new boxed Nissens condenser.

The OEM oil cooler is extortionately priced.
Are there any other makes worth considering?

[Dave092]

Very normal oil temp. Nothing to worry about. In southern CA thats our average summer "cool" oil temp.

[bigjae46]

True and the displayed oil temp is not actually the real oil temperature.

Not sure I agree with this. I ran a separate oil temp gauge with a sensor in the oil drain plug hole. The cluster and the gauge were always very close. I never compared DME readings to the gauge and never logged the gauge data. It was close enough to where I just removed the gauge and used the cluster. I now use a Solo 2 DL just because it is easier to look at.

[bigjae46]

Thanks, i do actually have a brand new boxed Nissens condenser.

The OEM oil cooler is extortionately priced.
Are there any other makes worth considering?

I heard the Bimmerworld C&R coolers have had issues. Maybe Zionville, PWR (I think they own C&R), or CSF are alternatives.

[Larky7]

Thanks, i do actually have a brand new boxed Nissens condenser.

The OEM oil cooler is extortionately priced.
Are there any other makes worth considering?

Litchfield do supply OE like for like oil cooler with an improved design. You can also get them from Radtec who makes the oil coolers for Litchfield.

I have a CSF oil cooler that fits onto the OEM lines, still gets up to over 100°C on hard spirit driving days but cools down slightly quicker than OEM.

Nissan or NRF is your best bet for radiators off Autodoc. NRF used to make E46 oil coolers from BMW.

[Cronenberged]

Has anyone bought an OEM radiator recently?

Yes, nothing wrong with it. Current OEM is NRF. People didn’t seem to fond of the Nissens.

[ac427]

Yes, nothing wrong with it. Current OEM is NRF. People didn’t seem to fond of the Nissens.

Thank you. Do you know why the Nissens was not liked?

[ac427]

Not sure I agree with this. I ran a separate oil temp gauge with a sensor in the oil drain plug hole. The cluster and the gauge were always very close. I never compared DME readings to the gauge and never logged the gauge data. It was close enough to where I just removed the gauge and used the cluster. I now use a Solo 2 DL just because it is easier to look at.

I've never compared them. I just meant that the displayed value is computed from a few factors not just real oil temperature.

[oceansize]

Thank you. Do you know why the Nissens was not liked?

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/246312-modine-still-the-go-to-oe-radiator#post246340