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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: Jon87V20 on October 26, 2020, 05:07:34 PM

Title: Oil Press Sender/Cooler Lines
Post by: Jon87V20 on October 26, 2020, 05:07:34 PM

Hi everybody,

I have a 1987 Chevy Suburban V20 with a TBI 350.

I noticed it looks like the oil pressure sender and oil cooler lines are leaking. I’m going to replace these in a few weeks and I have the oil drained out right now. However, I need to put oil in the truck so I can move it out of that spot.

This may be a stupid question, but can I remove the cooler lines and/or the pressure sender while it has oil in it, or will it start leaking out everywhere?

I would hate to put fresh oil in, just to drain it to fix the leaks in a few weeks... I’ve been dealing with the leaking for a long time, but now the oil is dripping on the exhaust manifold and is getting pretty stinky not to mention a fire hazard.

Thanks!

Title: Re: Oil Press Sender/Cooler Lines
Post by: VileZambonie on October 26, 2020, 06:25:21 PM

I would just eliminate the oil cooler altogether. Plug the oil sender or just replace it.

Title: Re: Oil Press Sender/Cooler Lines
Post by: JohnnyPopper on October 26, 2020, 07:22:15 PM

You won't lose your oil, most of it is in the pan while it's not running.

Title: Re: Oil Press Sender/Cooler Lines
Post by: Jon87V20 on October 27, 2020, 05:11:20 PM

Thanks, guys!

Vile, I was kind of surprised to see you say to eliminate the cooler. Does it really not help much? I figured it was probably doing a lot to assist the cooling. I also am running electric fans in it. It seems to be fine as is but do you think that could get worse without the cooler?

Title: Re: Oil Press Sender/Cooler Lines
Post by: VileZambonie on October 28, 2020, 03:49:31 PM

If one of those cooler lines fails, you will pump all of your engine oil out in a matter of seconds. They are prone to failure and are unnecessary. Are you running 30+ year old lines and an oil cooler or planning on replacing everything? Routine maintenance and quality oil is the key.

Title: Re: Oil Press Sender/Cooler Lines
Post by: ehjorten on October 28, 2020, 04:30:42 PM

Good to have an oil cooler if you off-road, haul heavy loads, drive in a warm climate, or drive in heavy stop-and-go traffic. High temperature oil breaks down and significantly impacts its useful life. But...you can over cool your oil in cold climates. If you don't get your oil over the boiling point of water, you can build up moisture in the oil.

Title: Re: Oil Press Sender/Cooler Lines
Post by: Jon87V20 on October 28, 2020, 07:25:34 PM

Okay. Yeah it sounds like the best option is to just remove it. I found the leak today too. It looks like the power steering hose wore through the oil cooler hose from moving back and forth on it when the engine flexes for decades (see photo).

Does anyone happen to know what size bolts I would need to grab to plug the cooler hose fittings by the oil filter there?

Title: Re: Oil Press Sender/Cooler Lines
Post by: JohnnyPopper on October 28, 2020, 09:17:15 PM

Most of the oil coolers I've seen start with an adapter that attaches to the oil filter landing. I believe GM made the adapter for their version of motor home, which was built on a Toronado power plant.

Using a threaded tube, it lands the adapter where a stock oil filter lives, leaving a surface and threaded hollow fitting that your oil filter then spins onto.

The body has the fittings routing the oil to the cooler. If that is the case, FIRST find the threaded tube that is used in a 'NON' cooler motor, then remove the cooling adapter, replace the elongated threaded tube with the shorter stock version.

Having said all that, and with due respect for the opinion expressed, evaluate the value of a oil cooler based on your climate and the other factors presented by members. Where I live, I would probably use one, with steel lines.

Title: Re: Oil Press Sender/Cooler Lines
Post by: VileZambonie on October 29, 2020, 02:50:31 PM

All you need is one of these https://www.summitracing.com/parts/SES-3-60-08-900

Title: Re: Oil Press Sender/Cooler Lines
Post by: TexasRed on October 29, 2020, 05:57:48 PM

I think rockauto sells the same thing: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=8311328&cc=1301858&jsn=972

You may have to purchase the bolts yourself however.