How Does a Lube Oil Cooler Work?
It operates on the principle of heat exchange. The basic components and process are:
- Hot Oil In: Hot oil from the engine or gearbox is pumped through a series of tubes or channels inside the cooler.
Coolant Flow (or Air Flow): A cooler fluid, called a coolant, flows around these tubes. In most vehicles and industrial engines, this coolant is the same engine coolant (a mixture of water and antifreeze) that cools the engine itself. In
- some applications (like performance cars or aircraft), air is used as the cooling medium instead of liquid.
- Heat Transfer: Heat from the hot oil is transferred through the tube walls into the cooler coolant or air.
- Cooled Oil Out: The now-cooled oil is circulated back to the engine to begin the cycle again.
- Coolant Loop: The coolant, now carrying the extra heat from the oil, continues to the main radiator where it is cooled itself before repeating its cycle.
This process continuously regulates the oil temperature, typically keeping it within a range of 180°F – 200°F (82°C – 93°C) for optimal performance.