[robc1976]

I noticed on my stett stage 2 oilcooler the lines looked wet and wiped them down, it came back and noticed it is oil... Tightened all the fittings and they where tight. It is almost like the leak is either under the mesh on the line or the fittings leaking and oil is running down the line. There is oil on all the lines it seems, before thermostat and after ( my just be running down). I contacted stett and must say there service is not very good. I have got no reply, doesn't surprise me....I emailed them almost 3 wek ago with no reply inquiring about vaccum canisters. When spending $1,500 on a kit I expected it to be leak free for more than a year. I was a huge fan of this OC not to sure now.


Anyone have this happen?

[DallasBoosted]

Most shops don't really reply to emails. Take the lines off and see where the leak is and what caused it (rubbing? defective line?) and if its something they need to address with a defective line replacement etc, then call them and take it up with them.

[robc1976]

Okay something really weird s going on here my lines where bone dry after my car set (oil doesn't dry). So I let it warm up and the lines started getting oil wet looking like some kind of liquid was on them. My only thought is my car sat for 2 weeks....condensation got in the lines and the lines are in a sense "sweating". What are your thoughts guys?

[E90Company]

Do you have a factory oil cooler running in conjunction with the stett?

[robc1976]

Originally Posted by E90Company

Do you have a factory oil cooler running in conjunction with the stett?

Nope, I had no factory cooler...I have the stett with there oil housing and 180 degree thermostat.

[RoundelM3]

Make sure the lines aren't rubbing something, and that the fittings are good as well. Weak point is where the fittings join the line and any fittings with bends, as the seal can weaken. Do you have the nylon-braided lines or steel-braided? I changed mine out to steel and made sure that the lines were tie-wrapped to keep them from moving and rubbing against an intercooler clamp or any of those screws for the plastic underpan. I have an ER Sport kit to replace my factory unit, so I'm not sure if yours is mounted similarly.

[robc1976]

Originally Posted by roundel335

Make sure the lines aren't rubbing something, and that the fittings are good as well. Weak point is where the fittings join the line and any fittings with bends, as the seal can weaken. Do you have the nylon-braided lines or steel-braided? I changed mine out to steel and made sure that the lines were tie-wrapped to keep them from moving and rubbing against an intercooler clamp or any of those screws for the plastic underpan. I have an ER Sport kit to replace my factory unit, so I'm not sure if yours is mounted similarly.

It s nylon, the stett kit has way to long of lines and it does rub on the inner fender....I think you re correct with the line bending and running the seal...I want steel braided for sure!

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by robc1976

It s nylon, the stett kit has way to long of lines and it does rub on the inner fender....I think you re correct with the line bending and running the seal...I want steel braided for sure!

The fittings are what lose their seal, especially if they're 45- or 90-degree bends; if they're not handled properly when attaching them, they can get over-torqued and bent slightly, which ruins the seal within the fitting. The nylon hoses are OK, but just to be sure they didn't rub through any more, I went with steel. No issues at all afterward, but do be careful when installing these hoses and fittings. They are aircraft-quality (mine are, anyway) and the fittings can be damaged if tightened too hard.

[robc1976]

Originally Posted by roundel335

The fittings are what lose their seal, especially if they're 45- or 90-degree bends; if they're not handled properly when attaching them, they can get over-torqued and bent slightly, which ruins the seal within the fitting. The nylon hoses are OK, but just to be sure they didn't rub through any more, I went with steel. No issues at all afterward, but do be careful when installing these hoses and fittings. They are aircraft-quality (mine are, anyway) and the fittings can be damaged if tightened too hard.

Mine are to, but whet is wired is I have had this kit on for 8 months and it just started doing this.

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by robc1976

Mine are to, but whet is wired is I have had this kit on for 8 months and it just started doing this.

Yeah, I know...mine took several months to start leaking as well. Just have to be vigilant and check often...just like with a pure race car or aircraft.

[robc1976]

Originally Posted by roundel335

Yeah, I know...mine took several months to start leaking as well. Just have to be vigilant and check often...just like with a pure race car or aircraft.

When it sits lines look bone dry...start the car up and that is when you notice the lines getting shiny and oily residue on them.

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by robc1976

When it sits lines look bone dry...start the car up and that is when you notice the lines getting shiny and oily residue on them.

Sounds like a pinhole leak to me. Look at your fittings first, particularly the ones highest in the engine compartment. Check where you first see the oily residue and see if you can locate the source of the leak. If it starts at the very uppermost part of the lines, it's likely the fittings going into the oil filter housing. My first leak was at the fitting entering the cooler at the bottom side. 2nd leak was the same line, due to it rubbing against the T-clamp where my ETS intercooler connected with the piping from the turbos. Cut right through the nylon braid and into the hose itself.

I recommend being careful on how/where your intercooler clamp is positioned, and also making sure you don't have excess line length that would cause it to loop up in that area. Several well-placed tie-wraps will keep the two lines together and prevent one of them from interfering with any other components when crossing behind the radiator/fan and past the intercooler plumbing.

[robc1976]

Originally Posted by roundel335

Sounds like a pinhole leak to me. Look at your fittings first, particularly the ones highest in the engine compartment. Check where you first see the oily residue and see if you can locate the source of the leak. If it starts at the very uppermost part of the lines, it's likely the fittings going into the oil filter housing. My first leak was at the fitting entering the cooler at the bottom side. 2nd leak was the same line, due to it rubbing against the T-clamp where my ETS intercooler connected with the piping from the turbos. Cut right through the nylon braid and into the hose itself.

I recommend being careful on how/where your intercooler clamp is positioned, and also making sure you don't have excess line length that would cause it to loop up in that area. Several well-placed tie-wraps will keep the two lines together and prevent one of them from interfering with any other components when crossing behind the radiator/fan and past the intercooler plumbing.

Mine is nowhere near the intercooler so I am good there...the line gets wet by the fitting for sure then travels down, there there must be another leak after the thermostat because it is leaking (lines getting weak) near the fitting after the thermostat.

[RoundelM3]

Yeah, that's right, I forgot about Stett's "remote" thermostat over on the right side of the engine compartment. I'd check those fittings that go from the thermostat to the cooler itself. If it's a slow ooze, it's likely a fitting. Even a pinhole leak in the hose would cause a lot of oil to drip down onto the underpan and eventually onto the floor.

[robc1976]

Originally Posted by roundel335

Yeah, that's right, I forgot about Stett's "remote" thermostat over on the right side of the engine compartment. I'd check those fittings that go from the thermostat to the cooler itself. If it's a slow ooze, it's likely a fitting. Even a pinhole leak in the hose would cause a lot of oil to drip down onto the underpan and eventually onto the floor.

I am thinking it is a fitting...starts up high and starts its way down, same with those hoses from the oil filter housing.

[robc1976]

Wonder if these lines will work, uses the same core as stett uses? These lines fit the setrab core but on a different car....maybe they can be made to order?

http://www.the370z.com/z1-motorsport...tomizable.html

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by robc1976

Wonder if these lines will work, uses the same core as stett uses? These lines fit the setrab core but on a different car....maybe they can be made to order?

http://www.the370z.com/z1-motorsport...tomizable.html

One question - did you tighten fitting-to-hose as opposed to fitting-to-fitting (where the hose joins the cooler/thermostat)? These hoses aren't crimped on, but instead use a screw-together technique. The hose slips over the small pipe at the backside of the fitting and that tapered collar then screws onto the fitting itself and clamps the hose tight. Check on that first, and if it's as tight as it will go (they're aluminum and soft, so be careful), then you will likely want to get new hoses. Those in the link you supplied are the right ones, but you need to be sure to get the right length and the correct style fittings (straight or angled).

[Wookie420]

UltraRacer13 has some leaking issues with his Stett OC upgrade also. I think he upgraded his lines and no more issues. Our cars also have a known issue with the oil filter housing gasket and a leak there. Try PMing UltraRacer13 to see what he did.

[robc1976]

Originally Posted by Wookie420

UltraRacer13 has some leaking issues with his Stett OC upgrade also. I think he upgraded his lines and no more issues. Our cars also have a known issue with the oil filter housing gasket and a leak there. Try PMing UltraRacer13 to see what he did.

Oil filter housing gasket is 1st thing checked! I may take some pics for you guys!

[robc1976]

Originally Posted by roundel335

One question - did you tighten fitting-to-hose as opposed to fitting-to-fitting (where the hose joins the cooler/thermostat)? These hoses aren't crimped on, but instead use a screw-together technique. The hose slips over the small pipe at the backside of the fitting and that tapered collar then screws onto the fitting itself and clamps the hose tight. Check on that first, and if it's as tight as it will go (they're aluminum and soft, so be careful), then you will likely want to get new hoses. Those in the link you supplied are the right ones, but you need to be sure to get the right length and the correct style fittings (straight or angled).

yep, I tightened it to the thermostat then tighten them together. They guy in the link said he can make them, I am going to measure them so there is no slack either. I haven't got a price yet.

[Wookie420]

IIRC the issue was with the shitty fittings used to secure the hoses to the core and the thermostat housing

[robc1976]

Originally Posted by DallasBoosted

Most shops don't really reply to emails. Take the lines off and see where the leak is and what caused it (rubbing? defective line?) and if its something they need to address with a defective line replacement etc, then call them and take it up with them.

I called the wrong location, I got a hold of chad at the New Mexico location and he is the man. They are just in the process of merging the 2 stores.

Stett is making me fully stainless lines with red and blue fittings and since I brought this to his attention this will be available for the N54. He also told me to take the fitting apart, cut those hose and reassemble and the leak will be gone more than likely.

Chad is a stand up guy, my fault for doubting them....I fully admit that.