Oil Cooler Leak Troubleshooting in European Cars: A Guide for Owners

Nowadays, many European cars are coming equipped with oil coolers to help maintain the optimal engine temperatures. As these high-end cars are equipped with very powerful engines for top-notch performance, they are dependent on oil coolers to prevent the engine from overheating while the vehicle is running.

However, these oil cooler systems are prone to various issues, and this can play spoilsport with the smooth running and better performance of your European cars. In this article, we will discuss the ways to troubleshoot oil cooler leak problems in European cars so that the owners are never overwhelmed by the problem.

Visual Inspection for Leaks

One of the first things that you have to do whenever you suspect your European car is having oil cooler leak problems is to visually inspect the oil cooler and the oil lines for signs of any accumulating oil. You might come across fresh oil puddles, drips, and stains in your vehicle, which indicate an underlying leak problem that needs to be fixed.

You must focus on certain areas that are prone to leaks, like the joints where the oil lines are connected to the cooler and the engine block. In addition to that, you must also look for loose connections, damaged oil lines, and cracks in the oil cooler body that are a common source of oil cooler leak problems in high-end cars.

Moreover, while inspecting these areas for signs of any oil cooler leaks, you must first clean up the entire area with a degreaser and wipe it clean so that it becomes easy for you to determine the exact source of the leakage in your car.

Check Engine Oil and Coolant

Now, when you are dealing with oil cooler leak issues in your European car then it is crucial to have a look at the engine oil and coolant in your European car. Most of the time, due to the leaks, the engine oil and coolant tend to get contaminated, which adversely affects their functionality.

You must have a look at the coolant reservoir to determine whether oil is leaking into the cooling system, and if it is, then the color of the coolant would have become cloudy, or brown, milky coloration. Moreover, you are also going to come across the formation of sludge or oily film inside the reservoir.

Similarly, inspecting the engine oil in your European car is also very important because, due to the oil cooler leak, coolant might seep in and come in contact with the engine oil of your vehicle. While examining the coolant, if it appears milky or frothy, then the coolant is most likely entering the oil system.

This is a serious condition because the components of your engine won’t be able to get lubricated properly, and your engine might be faced with increased wear and tear, leading to severe damage and costly repairs.

Examine the Oil Pressure Sensor/Switch

The oil pressure sensor switch is located near the oil cooler system, and when you are initiating steps to troubleshoot the problem, it is important to examine the oil pressure sensor/switch in your car. You need to look for leaks around the sensor body or its connected points.

Now, you might come across oil seeping from the sensor itself or just around the threads where it is screwed into the engine, indicating a damaged oil pressure sensor that needs to be inspected quickly. At times, it is seen that a loose sensor springs up a leak, and just tightening it fixes the problem.

However, if the leak doesn’t stop, then you need to have the oil pressure sensor replaced as soon as possible so that your vehicle is saved from further damage.

Pressure Testing

One of the best ways to determine an oil cooler leak in high-end European cars is by subjecting your vehicle to a pressure test. Now, this is where you need to get in touch with a certified auto repair shop where professional technicians will use an advanced pressure testing tool to pressurize the oil cooler system and identify the source of the leaks.

In fact, the pressure test is always recommended when it becomes very difficult to identify the source of the oil cooler leak in your European car.

Finally

The above-discussed factors are some of the leading ways to troubleshoot oil cooler leak problems in your European car. The moment you see anything strange, like puddles of fluid under the car where you have parked it or erratic functioning of the components, then you must get in touch with us at our auto repair shop to get your European car diagnosed and fixed by our expert technicians.

Fifth Gear Automotive is one of the most sought-after high-end cars auto repair and maintenance shop located in Lewisville and McKinney. We are having years of experience in looking after a host of luxury cars including both American & European cars.