2.8 oil cooler pipe corrosion

[David Carter]

On both 2.8 Z3's I've owned, the oil cooler pipe in front of the radiator has been badly corroded. Does anyone offer a corrosion resistant version, such as stainless steel?

 

[Ianmc]

The power steering cooling pipe you mention is a notorious weakness. I have had three on the MC over the years. They eventually corrode through near the bracket welds and leak. Not aware of any alternative version. I now keep matt black Hammerite to hand for preventative maintenance.

 

[Mazza]

Out of curiosity, Are the power steering oil coolers the same for all versions of the Zed, or are they different for different models???

 

[Ianmc]

Out of curiosity, Are the power steering oil coolers the same for all versions of the Zed, or are they different for different models???

It is the same on the 1997 1.9 M44 as the 2001 MC S54 so I would assume that they are all the same, but don't know for certain.

 

[5harp3y]

i've thought about this for a while as a stainless one wouldn't be that hard to make as the bends are very simple.

 

[Mazza]

Exactly what I am thinking.
I would need one to get a quote, but made out of stainless steel would be a much better option.

I will go and have a talk with a fabricator that I know and see if it’s feasible.

 

[David Carter]

Keep us posted!

 

[Sean d]

Exactly what I am thinking.
I would need one to get a quote, but made out of stainless steel would be a much better option.

I will go and have a talk with a fabricator that I know and see if it’s feasible.

I also need one as mine looks ropey

 

[Mazza]

Quick update.....have spoken to the guy this afternoon, and he is happy to look at this project with me.
Going to see him in the next day or so, to talk about stainless steel versions of the Fuel Tank Straps ( in two parts for each strap to make retro fit easier) and the Power Steering Cooling pipe.

 

[D R Oldfield]

Hi how much pressure is on the pipe or is it just a return back to the oil tank ?

 

[t-tony]

We had a Ford Cougar in at work a couple of weeks ago which had a rotten P/S oil cooler pipe. A new one was silly money. We made one of the same length out of a piece of same size (10.0mm) dia. copper pipe. Only difference was there were no coolong fins but you would never know.

Tony.

 

[t-tony]

Hi how much pressure is on the pipe or is it just a return back to the oil tank ?

The oil is cooled on the return pipe David, little pressure there.

Tony.

 

[Stevo7682]

Hi how much pressure is on the pipe or is it just a return back to the oil tank ?

Return side not high pressure.

 

[Sean d]

I was looking at mine the other day and thought I may as well just remove it and fit a small off the shelf oil cooler, can anyone envisage any issues doing this

 

[Sean d]

Something like this

 

[the Nefyn cat]

If the normal cooler is just a couple of turns of pipe then the proper cooler you're showing a picture of may be a bit overkill. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but this is only power steering, not an auto box or something similarly hot. I've known plenty of cars with no steering cooler at all.

 

[Sean d]

If the normal cooler is just a couple of turns of pipe then the proper cooler you're showing a picture of may be a bit overkill. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but this is only power steering, not an auto box or something similarly hot. I've known plenty of cars with no steering cooler at all.

I can see they will be far more efficient but the cost is next to nothing, maybe just make up a loop of copper pipe

 

[the Nefyn cat]

That would do for me, but others may/will disagree.

 

[Grumps]

Mine is ropey and could do with replacing

 

[Sean d]

That would do for me, but others may/will disagree.

I have some stainless tube somewhere, I will experiment with it when I find it, bending it may be an issue though, I winder if filling it with sand will stop it kincking