Oil & Fuel Add-on oil cooler....

[turbojerk]

Add-on oil cooler....

I know that Kohler offers two types of "factory" oil coolers for their horizontal shaft motors, but for the type that I want to use it's necessary to modify the fan shroud to install it. So what I was considering to do was to buy the filter/cooler adapter from Kohler and pick up an aftermarket cooler (see pic) and mounting it on the front of the frame behind the bumper on my 06 GT2554. The plan is to use AN fittings and stainless braded lines to plum or just hard line since that's cheaper....

......Any thoughts??

 

[Northstar]

I'm not familiar with oil coolers, but my motorcycle (air cooled) ,with synthetic oil ,runs about 15 degrees cooler than with dino oil.

 

[Fordlords]

Thinking about it, it may just be a good idea for prolonging engine life. You increase the engine oil capacity, plus cool it, two things these small engines can benefit from. I was originally thinking why bother, but then remembered that Honda's 24 HP twins include an oil cooler as factory equipment, so apparently they see the benefits it can give. One thing though is Kohler would see it as a non factory modification, and could void your warranty, just something to consider.

-Fordlords-

 

[strkpr00]

Just to play devils advocate, would cooler oil take longer to flow through the engine? Would it protect as well if its too cool? If the engine runs too cool would it sludge/gum up?
Let get some replys going.

 

[JTKub]

.. would cooler oil take longer to flow through the engine? Would it protect as well if its too cool? If the engine runs too cool would it sludge/gum up?

On a startup in very cold ambient temps yes, the engine oil will take longer to reach normal operating temps with an aux cooler installed. Someone who put the effort into installing one will probably use synthetic motor oil anyway, which would negate the low temperature pumpabilty concern. However you do want your oil temp to get high enough to eliminate fuel and water vapor in the sump. As far as sludge goes, I personally havent seen a sludged up engine since the early 1980's. Any reasonable maintenance schedule with a spec'd oil/filter combo will prevent that.

Joel

 

[turbojerk]

Thinking about using this cooler instead since its a better type design...It measures 2 1/2" x 11"

 

[Fordlords]

That looks a little more stealthy As the oil draw is still from the pan, using an oil cooler doesn't create any issues during cold startups. All modern multi-vis oils flow fantastically when cold.

It won't give as much cooling so to say as on a motorcycle, as you can't move as much air through it with the low speed of the tractor. Most of its cooling will just be from conductance, so I'd expect maybe a 10-15 degree drop in operating oil temps.

-Fordlords-

 

[JTKub]

The cost vs. benefit ratio is hardly worth it for a 10-15deg drop in oil temp. If one of your 'benefits' is the joy of modding your machine (understandable!), do it! You can increase oil capacity simply by adding a longer oil filter. My command 20 holds 2qts with a Carqest 85516 engine oil filter.

Joel

 

[turbojerk]

The cost vs. benefit ratio is hardly worth it for a 10-15deg drop in oil temp. If one of your 'benefits' is the joy of modding your machine (understandable!), do it! You can increase oil capacity simply by adding a longer oil filter. My command 20 holds 2qts with a Carqest 85516 engine oil filter.

Joel

I can do it all for just under $100.

I have given some thought to mounting it near the fan intake and also though about a small 12v fan for the front mount. Not exactly sure what I will do until I get the cooler and look at the different mounting locations to see what I think will be the most effective.

When I put the oil cooler on my turbo car there was a temp drop of 25°f taken with a laser thermometer at the in and out fittings on the cooler.

 

[Kurttb1]

The cost vs. benefit ratio is hardly worth it for a 10-15deg drop in oil temp. If one of your 'benefits' is the joy of modding your machine (understandable!), do it! You can increase oil capacity simply by adding a longer oil filter. My command 20 holds 2qts with a Carqest 85516 engine oil filter.

Joel

Hi Joel, Is that Command 20 is like the Kohler CH20, wondering if that same oil filter would fit.