Whilst towing the other day I noticed that my oil temperature was regularly going up to about 120 degrees C. Now I know that is to be expected, and modern synthetic oil can happily handle those kind of temps but on a break at the services I did take a look at the oil radiator and saw a lot of debris, flies etc, along with the usual slight denting of the delicate metal folds of the rad.

This got me thinking, has anyone tried cleaning the radiator in situ? I’m not talking about a pressure washer, as that may cause damage, but what about a garden hose and a brush? Do I need to?

Im towing again in September, and if the weather is hotter want to keep my car happy.

 

Ta.

It's not easy to get a clear spray at the "radiator". or even to touch it. When I fouled mine with floating grass  , I sprayed it with Mucoff (when cold) and gently hosed it down, sideways, from the little gaps I could see through.

I've never had to do it myself, but the air-hose at your local garage used to be the favoured method.

Does the MK3 have an oil radiator?

Ok, so now i'm doubting myself.

 

I assumed, probably incorrectly that there is a radiator / cooler for the oil system behind the mesh in the lower part of the front grille, sitting underneath the main water cooling Rad. Having looked at Mk 3 oil coolers on t'web, they do seem to have one, but maybe not where i am looking.... 

Usually oil-to-coolant heat transfer. Therefore doesn't need to be at the front.

What's your engine code?

 

There is a sandwich of three "radiators "iirc.

The outermost one , which you may be able to clean like what I did ,is for the air conditioning,  and there is an intercooler for any turbocharger and a coolant radiator. 

The code seems to be CRMB...

cooling the oil off with air is a waste of heat that can be used to get the car to operating temperature faster and thus saving fuel and polar bears so I doubt an oil to air cooler would be fitted.

 

Edited 18 July, 20196 yr by SuperbTWM

I've used sleeves over the oil filter to good results in the past.  Might be enough to take the edge off while not getting the full radiator effect.