Oil coolers

[tberk at sbcglobal.net (T Berk)]

Aaron wrote:

> I've the choice of the earlier aircooled oil cooler, and a later water 
> cooled unit (both stock). Any pro's or con's between these two systems? 
> I guess the aircooled system is heavier with it's radiator and hoses, 
> but which does the job best?
> 
> TIA
> 
> Aaron in London
> 
> '85 GTX - DD
> '83 GTi - Doner
> 
> 

Some more info if you please.

It sounds like you are referring to Air Cooled vs Water Cooled (as in 
flat boxer engined Beetle motor era vs Rabbit/Golf Inline Four w/ Radiator)

OR maaaybe

Oil to Air (with lines & a separate heat exchanger) vs Oil to Water ( 
dumping heat into the coolant system) type setups.

In either case I'll say: Having an OEM oil to coolant system has 
historicly been something you live with but wouldn't want to add, let 
alone spend money on. They have this bad history of deteriorating over 
time and allowing oil & water (coolant) to mix.

On the other hand you might have a line on an oil cooling system that 
has that little radiator you hang somewhere in the airstream, with it's 
(possibly braided steel covered) supply and retun lines and almost 
imperatively important built in thermostat. These are to be desired if 
you are in a hard duty part of the world and/or push you motor hard for 
long stretches.



TBerk