What's this engine part ?

[PhilOfCas]

Evening all

Whilst under the car the other day, I looked up under the engine and saw an aluminium (I think) box approx 4" cubed, it had a large black plastic cap, which pointed down (and is obviously undone from beneath the car), this was over to the passenger side.

It has ribbed sides, anyone know what it is ?


Thanks !!

 

[Wallie]

a picture might help mate

 

[sssstew]

im thinking this is the oil cooler which is under the oil filter and cap... yeah?

 

[PhilOfCas]

a picture might help mate

sorry Wallie, didn't take one , only get under the car for oil changes so can't get one now for a while

 

[PhilOfCas]

im thinking this is the oil cooler which is under the oil filter and cap... yeah?

sounds possible, if it is, does it require draining/cleaning at all ?

 

[Viking]

No it doesn't need cleaning although you can if you wish. But don't use solvent cleaners. Best way is to wipe it with a damp cloth and a mild mix of Meguiars APC, and then buff with a dry cloth. Should polish up nicely.

 

[PhilOfCas]

cheers Viking ! (are you too confirming it's the oil cooler?)

 

[Muttley]

IF it was underneath the oil filter bracket then it is the oil cooler, which cools the oil by contact with the engine coolant (so an oil-water heat exchanger). On your engine this is attached to the bracket by something that looks similar to an oil filter cap, which matches your description and location. However you're a bit vague - can you look down at the same location from on top of the car and see if it's where the oil filter is?

 

[PhilOfCas]

IF it was underneath the oil filter bracket then it is the oil cooler, which cools the oil by contact with the engine coolant (so an oil-water heat exchanger). On your engine this is attached to the bracket by something that looks similar to an oil filter cap, which matches your description and location. However you're a bit vague - can you look down at the same location from on top of the car and see if it's where the oil filter is?

I can be very vague sometimes , yep, just had a butchers in the garage, it's beneath the oil filter house, 2 pipes in the top of it, through my powers of deduction i believe you have it spot on , cheers Muttley and all