[Rustler]

Are there any reports of warranty claims being denied on account of an aftermarket oil cooler?

I'm particularly interested in whether anyone has experienced any hassles in this regard with an auxilary unit mounted in front of the radiator that does not replace the stock thermostat?

Having read through several oil cooler related threads, there is some tangential discussion related to this, but no one seems to have spoken from experience. Some surmised that because you're adding cooling it could only be looked upon favorably, others surmised that because (particularly with a front mounted unit) you're changing the dynamics of the cooling system by blocking air flow and exposing the radiator to additional radiant heat from the oil cooler, any warranty claim related to a cooling issue would be denied.

Any actual experience out there?

[UltraRacer13]

Well - I have the STETT OC- it doesn't block the radiator. I told my SA I was getting it after they declined to retrofit me. He seemed to think it was a good idea.

[Rustler]

Interesting. Helpful to hear that as a general principle your SA wasn't opposed to an aftermarket cooler. I'm also wondering what happens when they're asked to replace a failed water pump, and a documented warranty claim is involved.

Is it true that the Stett unit changes the thermostat settings? I wonder whether they would take issue with changing engine parameters like that (akin to blocking air flow to the radiator)?

[UltraRacer13]

Originally Posted by Rustler

Interesting. Helpful to hear that as a general principle your SA wasn't opposed to an aftermarket cooler. I'm also wondering what happens when they're asked to replace a failed water pump, and a documented warranty claim is involved.

Is it true that the Stett unit changes the thermostat settings? I wonder whether they would take issue with changing engine parameters like that (akin to blocking air flow to the radiator)?

I didn't get the thermostat at all. I live in Texas, it doesn't get that cold.

[Turkeybaster115]

Originally Posted by UltraRacer13

Well - I have the STETT OC- it doesn't block the radiator. I told my SA I was getting it after they declined to retrofit me. He seemed to think it was a good idea.

Ultra racer, I have been logging my coolant temps for the past 2 days. I have the ar design oil cooler, and I am not seeing any factual evidence of overheating due to blocking the radiator. If anything, the oil temps take a dive whenever the fan comes on to cool the radiator. See my post in the track section for pictures.

[335okc]

I'm in the process of getting something very similar, and I'm pretty much kissing my warranty good bye. Maybe I have lower expectation so I don't get dissapointed/frustrated later when I need any work on the car.