oil cooler install issues

[CMW403]

I bought the Earls oil cooler and filter relocation kit with thermostat from JNS imports. I had it installed the other day and the oil pressure started acting weird on the way home. It was normal for most of the ride, sitting at 4 while driving. All of a sudden It dropped to 2 while I was driving and then dropped to like 1 when I stopped at a light. I got home and shut it off and left it in the garage and had missed a call from the guy who installed it. He said there was a popcan sized oil patch where my car was parked after it was installed and that there may be a small leak. Sure enough I found a small spot underneath my car this morning, decided to drain the oil out and make sure there was enough in there. While I was under there loosening the plug I inspected the braided lines and noticed one of the lines going into the cooler itself was pinched behind that bar behind the intercooler. I would say it is pinched enough to prevent flow, this worries me. Is this the cause of my oil pressure issues?

I am really nervous right now as I drove the car a good 45-60min to get home and I am worried something is damaged. I guess I learned my lesson, if you want it done right do it yourself. But can anyone help me out with these issues?


For reference:

-stock oil pressure gauge
-apparently 10w 30 synthetic put in

[CMW403]

The guy who did the oil cooler just told me the oiling system has an internal bypass so if the pump was blocked in any way the oil would just bypass the system. Is this true?

[Rides]

If you found oil leaks it's probably one of the fittings. U will lose pressure as you seen if your fitting were not tighten. Degreese all the lines and fittings, make sure they are tight including the relocated oil filter. Top off your oil and see if the pressure goes back and see if it leaks again.

Ps I use 15w50 full synthetic. Were you told to put in 10w30?

[CMW403]

Yeah I was told to put 10w30 synthetic in, 15w50 is ok to use?

Do you think the gauge is faulty?

[Rides]

Ya 15w50 is ok. R32 is high reving and hot engine.
I use this

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-864-motul-300v-competition-15w-50-racing-engine-oil.aspx

Or royal purple 15w50 full synth.
With royal purple I can get it locally with motul, I usually order it online.

And I don't think the gauge is faulty. It gave you a reading in which you reActed to, and evidently you are leaking oil.

[Skym]

Depends on the revs of engine and for how long oilpressure was low.

Hoses should be straightish. Use correct angled fittings, proper fitting type tools to tighten them.

Stock oilpressure gauge is inaccurate due to sender / sensor needs changing and one of the symptoms is oilpressure drops when accelerating. It's worth fitting an aftermarket oilpressure, oiltemp gauge (plumbs into side of oilcooler sandwich plate) to get accurate readings.

Oil is picked based on oiltemp, which varies from engine to engine -

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/pdfs/tech-articles/10w-60-oil.pdf

As far as I know, 7.5w30 is factory (lower oiltemps), but only can buy 5w30 or 10w30. On racetrack it's not uncommon to see 100-120 degrees C oiltemps and a w50 oil is used.

Also read this thread, as Opie recommend oil you use, based on mods of engine, etc -

http://www.skylineowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85960&page=1

[CMW403]

Depends on the revs of engine and for how long oilpressure was low.

Hoses should be straightish. Use correct angled fittings, proper fitting type tools to tighten them.

Stock oilpressure gauge is inaccurate due to sender / sensor needs changing and one of the symptoms is oilpressure drops when accelerating. It's worth fitting an aftermarket oilpressure, oiltemp gauge (plumbs into side of oilcooler sandwich plate) to get accurate readings.

Oil is picked based on oiltemp, which varies from engine to engine -

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/pdfs/tech-articles/10w-60-oil.pdf

As far as I know, 7.5w30 is factory (lower oiltemps), but only can buy 5w30 or 10w30. On racetrack it's not uncommon to see 100-120 degrees C oiltemps and a w50 oil is used.

Also read this thread, as Opie recommend oil you use, based on mods of engine, etc -

http://www.skylineowners.com/forum/s...t=85960&page=1

This guy is now telling me to drive the car back across the city so he can fix the leak and the hose, I don't think it is a good idea because of the leak and pinched hose. What do you guys think?

the hoses are nice and straight, the hose got pinched between the intercooler mount and the frame when he put the intercooler back on.

I would say he should be paying for a tow to the shop or he should be coming to my house to fix his mistake, am I right?

[cortexx]

Take the Hose off yourself , cut it where it's pinched and leaking and insert a double barbed fitting to rejoin the 2 halves and clam them with some good clamps - if you want something done properly you have to do it yourself

Get him to pay for the fitting and the clamps or maybe even a new hose length so you have no joins. Having said that , look at frankies build thread where he used fittings to enable the oil cooler to be drained at oil change intervals !

[danwit]

Your 100% right! He should be paying for a tow, if he is telling you to drive across the city knowing you have an oil leak he isnt very bright.

[Rides]

To be honest for a mechanic to place a hose in without properly tying it down and letting it pinch, I wouldn't even bring it back to him. Tow or no tow. For a mechanic to pay for your tow you'll probably piss him off too. Imagine a pissed off mechanic that does half ass job working on your car?? Get my drift?

It wouldn't hurt to ask him to fork over some money on a new hose.

[cortexx]

I believe you just hit the nail on the head !

To be honest for a mechanic to place a hose in without properly tying it down and letting it pinch, I wouldn't even being it back to him. Tow or no tow. For a mechanic to pay for your tow you'll probably piss him off too. Imagine a pissed off mechanic that does half ass job working on your car?? Get my drift?

[Skym]

This guy is now telling me to drive the car back across the city so he can fix the leak and the hose, I don't think it is a good idea because of the leak and pinched hose. What do you guys think?

the hoses are nice and straight, the hose got pinched between the intercooler mount and the frame when he put the intercooler back on.

I would say he should be paying for a tow to the shop or he should be coming to my house to fix his mistake, am I right?

Don't drive car with low oil pressure.

If installed correctly it shouldn't have happened. Do you have photo's of the install, so we get a better idea of how it's installed?