[FLCoastal335i]

I just installed a Dinan oil cooler to upgrade my stock one and noticed that the oil in the lines looked to be really old. The thing is, I recently had it changed at the dealership, so wouldn't have expected it to look so bad. Also, after the upgrade, it looks like the oil temps aren't far off what they were before. It has my thinking the oil thermostat isn't opening. Has anyone else seen this when they did their cooler upgrade?

[sirdaft1]

What temps are you continuing to see?

[3000GT MR]

The oil looks dirty almost instantly. That doesn't mean it's bad. Just doing its job by cleaning. As far as oil temps you should see the same temp as your last cooler because the TS is still the same. You should just see a more stable temp with less creep. Today I realized how crappy the stock OC system really is. Even with the TS mod. Hopefully the volume is increased in the Dinan vs stock because I think the stock one lacks volume flow. The dual pass is pointless if it doesn't have enough flow to keep the amount of quantity down which I think is the issue. Can't wait for my parts to here so I can rip the factory crap out.

[FLCoastal335i]

With my stage 2 Dinan flash, just cruising on the expressway it was just under the 250 mark. Dealer had to flash back to stock, so with a stock tune now and with the oil cooler it is around the 230 mark. I haven't driven a ton yet since I just installed yesterday, but just assumed it would be in the 210 range, but I could be wrong.

[els_86]

I'm pretty sure the thermostat opens up at around 240. 240 is normal operating temp for our cars. I was going to press the dealer to install an oil cooler but my temps never really go above 240, so I figured with or without a cooler it would make no difference. Not sure what the aftermarket oil coolers open up at but I now the factory one is 238 I think.

[FLCoastal335i]

I guess the main benefit for a better cooler would be when you are really pushing the car, it has a better chance of staying closer to standard operating temps.

The other thing that seems strange is that the Dinan install instructions state that you have to add a quart of oil after install due to the oil that was in the old cooler and the added capacity of the new cooler. However after my install, the oil level is still at full, so I don't know if my thermostat has even opened yet.

[3000GT MR]

It should be 230-240. It doesn't matter if you have a OC the size of your radiator, once warmed up of should be the same just more stable than the stock. A flash shouldn't matter unless your using it for its intended purposes. Cruising and normal driving it should stay the same between flashes

[els_86]

Originally Posted by 3000GT MR

It should be 230-240. It doesn't matter if you have a OC the size of your radiator, once warmed up of should be the same just more stable than the stock. A flash shouldn't matter unless your using it for its intended purposes. Cruising and normal driving it should stay the same between flashes

Yup. Oil temps are a result of climate and driving conditions. The tune won't make a difference in your oil temps at all.

[FLCoastal335i]

The tune adds more horsepower, which adds more heat and makes the engine run a bit hotter when you are pushing it. I am going to do the Dinan stage 3 flash which requires you to have their upgraded OC to help remove the additional heat. It of course also makes Dinan more money too...

[els_86]

Originally Posted by SlightlySlideways335i

The tune adds more horsepower, which adds more heat and makes the engine run a bit hotter when you are pushing it. I am going to do the Dinan stage 3 flash which requires you to have their upgraded OC to help remove the additional heat. It of course also makes Dinan more money too...

If you live in a hot climate and push your car hard s the only reason for an oil cooler. No other tunes require you to have an oil cooler, and those tunes are more aggressive than the dinan ones. (cobb, jb4, etc)

[cvc 22349a]

Originally Posted by SlightlySlideways335i

I guess the main benefit for a better cooler would be when you are really pushing the car, it has a better chance of staying closer to standard operating temps.

The other thing that seems strange is that the Dinan install instructions state that you have to add a quart of oil after install due to the oil that was in the old cooler and the added capacity of the new cooler. However after my install, the oil level is still at full, so I don't know if my thermostat has even opened yet.

I've had the Dinan OC for 20k miles. It takes an additional 1/2 quart of oil when changing the oil. My temps are pretty much the same as with the oem OC during normal driving ~240d and go up to 250d during hard/hot driving whereas they used to go up to 270d with the oem OC.

[FLCoastal335i]

I agree it is a bit funny that no other tunes require a OC. I think since Dinan matches the stock BMW warranty, they probably tend to be more on the safe side.

['___']

The only reason you need an oil cooler is for back to back runs where there is a heavy load applied to the car repeatedly without giving the engine time to cool back down between runs. Whether you have a tune or not makes no difference to the oil temps UNLESS you're mashing the pedal.

With FBO on stock turbos, I would be around 220F cruising. Now with a single turbo, guess where my oil temp is while just cruising? Yep, about 220F. Why? Because unless you're making power(mashing the pedal) you're not making excess heat.

The oil thermostat is what controls when the oil cooler is used, and the only benefit of the dinan cooler over stock is hopefully that it is larger, as a higher volume means it should be able to shed heat faster and keep oil temps closer to what the thermostat opens at.

[els_86]

All these replies are spot on. The only time the oil cooler will come into play is when the oil gets above the 240 mark, and like everyone has said, that only happens under heavy load in hot conditions. If you are planning on tracking your car or live in a very hot climate, then it would be good to have. Al other circumstances, its not necessary whether stock or FBO.

[gingerbreadman]

can someone please post up or pm me a file with the installation instructions. I bought the dinan oil cooler off someone but they misplaced the accompanying instructions. Please and thanks in advance guys.

[gingerbreadman]

never mind...I'll figure it out. Carry on and thanks for the love.

[FLCoastal335i]

gingerbreadman, I have the installation directions. Sorry I just saw your post, a bit late but can upload if you still need them.