Hi, Just a quick question. Can the original Mk1 GTI oil cooler be mounted horizontally, or does it have to be kept in the vertical position to function best? Original orientation: Horizontal: Thanks in advance!
I would have thought it doesn't matter as the oil needs to circulate all the way through and that oil cooler design is the same as they used on beetle engines and more importantly (albeit a thicker core) a type 4 engine that ran the cooler horizontal in stock configuration
That's excellent thank you for that, I only knew about the Mk1 and Beetle being the same but did not know about the Type 4 running horizontally, good to know! Nice one! Yeah that's the only thing with having the fittings above, I think I may just take off the sandwich plate when I carry out oil changes and make the cooler easy to get to/remove so I can drain it all out.
In the first photo its separate from the filter housing and the outlet and inlets are lower so it wont drain anyway. The only way it would drain is to unbolt it and raise it so the pipes allow the oil to drain away. Same if mounted horizontally in my view.
Is or are there any issues with the height of which the cooler is mounted, in respect of does it have to be above the level of oil in the sump or anything like that?
Where are you considering locating it ... below / behind the bumper ? I ran a similar cooler in a Mk2, below the bumper ... OK.
I'm wishing to hang it down from the front panel (with a pair of brackets next to where the front engine mount is) with some ducting coming through the chin spoiler. The bottom of the cooler would nearly be at the same height as the lowest part of the sump - just to give a bit of visualisation as to the heights of things. I guess that would be pretty similar to your Mk2 position?
Aye ... just take your time filling the system and all should be OK. I inherited the Mk2 in that configuration but later changed it to replicate the standard Mk1 GTI position ... as I was concerned about possible cooler damage given the use the car was given. My Mk1 GTI (9A) retains the original cooler & location.
Just to add on to this, I've tried offering the original cooler into a place id like to fit it but the original cooler is just too deep and will be too close to the engine/sump (1.8T) Can anyone verify the fittings on the standard cooler, are they 1/2" BSP? Thanks!
M16x1.5 I'll have to find some adapters as most new off-the-shelf oil coolers have 1/2" BSP fittings!
