Engine oil cooler

[Robert1994]

Just got back from an 80 mile road trip. Engine temp was at
190. I happened to pick up a ball the dog had left in the car port that I had parked over, and noticed no heat what so ever
when I reached under to pick up the dogs toy. I touched the engine oil cooler and it was absolutely room temperature. I then touched the radiator and found it also cool, but slightly
warmer than the oil cooler. It's about 70 degrees today, and I did get caught in a hell of a down pour half way home, but is
it normal for the oil cooler to be so cool ? I'm just concerned that the oil might be bypassing the cooler and not circulating through it.
Any thoughts ?

 

[Ron]

<FONT face="Comic Sans MS">Given similar circumstances, my cooler would be almost too hot to touch, but given the relatively cool radiator, I'd guess nothing is wrong.

If there is something wrong, perhaps your oil pressure is too low (assuming GEN I works like a GEN II) thereby never opening the spring loaded valve in the oil filter adaptor, or more likely the valve itself is not opening regardless of oil pressure.

I'd verify a too cool cooler again before getting too deep into it.</FONT f>

 

[Robert1994]

Oil pressure is fine, 60-70 lbs at cruising speeds.
I know that small block chevy engines have will bypass
the oil filter if the oil pressure is too high, to prevent
blowing the oil filter off. Does the Viper engine have
a simular devise ?
I have not studied the engine enough to know if the oil
cooler can be bypassed or not. That is why I was concerned
with the low temp. But again, the radiator was also quite
cool.

 

[Rich Carlson]

The early GEN 1 motors were equipped with a thermostatically controlled oil bypass valve to the cooler, like yours. Later on, the GEN 1 was changed to a pressure controlled oil bypass valve. All GEN 2 motors are pressure controlled.

 

[Robert1994]

So the answer for my very early '94 (9/23/93) car would be ?
Where do I look, and what do I look for ?

 

[Rich Carlson]

If you look at the oil filter adaptor, you will see what looks like a large nut between the two braided steel oil lines. That is the thermostatic control. You may want to remove it and check it for contamination.

 

[JonB]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Rich Carlson:
The early GEN 1 motors were equipped with a thermostatically controlled oil bypass valve to the cooler, like yours. Later on, the GEN 1 was changed to a pressure controlled oil bypass valve. All GEN 2 motors are pressure controlled. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

EACTLY, Rich.

Bob, you may wish to swap out to an ACR Oil Filter Adapter!
This is a recommended "Stage 3" upgrade on Gen II Vipers. This adapter has ZERO restriction to the oil cooler....routes oil thru the oil cooler anytime the engine is running. Added bonus is 5-12psi extra oil pressure in Gen-2 cars....cannot guess your +OP. Direct bolt-on to Gen-I as I recall.......

The RESTRICTION is for two reasons....one being cold-weather oil warmup...certainly NOT a factor in the SOUTHERMOST-USA VIPER !

 

[Robert1994]

Thank you gentlemen.
One more item on the to do list.

 

[Robert1994]

I took a look at my oil filter adapter today, and I
see the "big nut" that you mentioned. Naturally, I do not
have a wrench that size. Can anyone tell me what size
wrench I need to remove and inspect this ? It looks
like a socket would be the best way to get at it.
Also, what am I looking for once I get it removed ?
Oil is definitely not going to the cooler.
Thanks

 

[JonB]

There is a mechanical shuttle valve doo-hickey in there that may be busticated.

An ACR Oil Filter adapter will fit on GenII or GenI and provide higher oil pressures at all RPM ranges, and full-time oil cooling [except when cold-in-cold-climates...HI exempt] Even comes with a gasket and new mounting bolts.