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1GR-FE OIL cooler

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by supralight, Dec 4, 2010.

  1. Dec 4, 2010 at 3:21 PM
    #1
    supralight

    supralight [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I could not find info about it here or on the net.

    How does the oil cooler of our engine works? Does it use coolant from the engine to cool the oil or just by tranfering heat to ambiant air? I know it is located at the base of the filter, it looks pretty small.

    Can this oil cooler, if using ambiant air, refrain my oil from becoming hot enough during very cold winter days?

    Also, for the transmission oil cooler, if it passes through the radiator, I guess it does not do anything untill the engine is hot enough to flow coolqnt through the radiator.

    Thx for those who will answer.
     
  2. Dec 4, 2010 at 3:36 PM
    #2
    Voodoo Rufus

    Voodoo Rufus Well-Known Member

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    The basic idea is that coolant circulates through the filter area to warm/cool the oil. It should not keep your oil from reaching proper temperature because your cooling system operates on a thermostat. The temperature will be moderated by it.

    The transmission cooler is a separate heat exchanger in front of the radiator. I do not believe it uses the engine coolant in any fashion.
     
  3. Dec 5, 2010 at 8:14 AM
    #3
    buddywh1

    buddywh1 Well-Known Member

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    Stock oil cooler is an interposer between the oil filter and the main filter mounting surface. It has water coolant running through it to cool the oil as it passes through the filter.

    I suppose it can be cooled no cooler than the normal operating temp of the coolant on cold days. It's important to stay at efficient operating temperature 'cause it's the only way Toyota'd be able to get emission's certfication.

    At cold start up on cold days (or running too-thick oil like some do) the thickened oil will probably trigger the bypass valve so it doesn't go to the filter, or cooler, at all. Just straight to the bearings.

    As for the transmission: it can't HEAT the transmission oil, but it will COOL it, until the thermostat opens and passes hot water to the radiator. Unless there's a temp valve for the ATF too...that is an interesting question! Especially since, those of us with tow packages have a supplemental transmission cooler in front of the radiator so it's always being cooled by that even when the radiator is flowing hot engine coolant!
     
  4. Dec 5, 2010 at 9:26 AM
    #4
    supralight

    supralight [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ok thanks for the info.

    I guess, then, that the oil cooler has an impact on how fast the engine will heat-up in winter temps, since it also have to heat that 6 liters of oil also.

    As for transmission cooler as I see it, I hope it does have a temp activated valve, because if not, whit oil passing through that front radiator in cold winter day, trans oil will take forever to heat-up
     
  5. Dec 5, 2010 at 10:06 AM
    #5
    buddywh1

    buddywh1 Well-Known Member

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    You might be right about the transmission oil...but I'm not so sure it matters with the tranny...at least for lubrication. Maybe for shifting as the hydraulics will be affected, but you'd be able to gauge that by it's performance.

    I'm not sure what you mean...the quantity of oil in the oil cooler is closer to 6 tablespoons than 6 liters. The total quantity of oil in the engine may be about 6 liters and it has to heat that up in any circumstance. The coolant doesn't flow through the oil cooler until the thermostat opens...when the engine reaches operating temperature.
     
  6. Dec 5, 2010 at 12:09 PM
    #6
    supralight

    supralight [OP] Well-Known Member

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    As for tranny oil temp, I have observed that it will be more reluctant to lock-up when cold, added with the fact that the oil is more viscous, that might affect fuel economy in some way.

    As for the oil cooler, didn't get the part about coolant not circulating through it when cold, thanks for clarifying.
     

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