Air cooled oil cooler Vs Water cooled oil cooler
Air Cooled Oil Cooler
- Principle: Transfers heat from the hot oil directly to the ambient air.
- Key Components: Core (fins & tubes), fan, shroud, bypass valve.
- Pros:
- Self-Contained: Does not require a connection to the engine’s cooling system.
- Simpler Installation: Often easier to retrofit or add to a system.
- No Risk of Cross-Contamination: Oil and coolant circuits are completely separate. A leak will not mix oil and coolant.
Best For: Applications where a separate water circuit is unavailable or undesirable. Common in:
- Automatic transmissions
- Power steering systems
- Hydraulic systems
- Rear axle differentials
- Aftermarket engine oil coolers
Water Cooled Oil Cooler
- Principle: Transfers heat from the hot oil to the engine’s coolant, which is then cooled by the main radiator.
- Key Components: Shell, tube bundle, end caps, often with an integral thermostat.
- Pros:
- Efficient & Consistent: Coolant temperature is stable (~90°C / 195°F), so the oil reaches optimal temperature faster and is maintained precisely, independent of outside weather.
- Compact Design: High efficiency from water cooling allows for a smaller physical size.
- Quiet Operation: No need for an extra fan; relies on the main engine cooling system.
Best For: Applications where precise temperature control is critical. Ubiquitous in:
- Modern passenger car engines
- Marine engines
- Industrial engines integrated with a cooling system