[VW T5] Multiple Oil Cooler Failures

[Mats]

Hi guys,

even though this is not a R75/MGZT related topic, I would like to get your knowledgeable input.

I have a friend with a VW T5 (56 plate, 2.5L diesel) who is baffled about all the oil cooler failures he gets with his car and nobody can help him so far, not even the VW garage.

Here is the story in short:

- 05/2014: Oil cooler replaced due to failure.
- 07/2014: Oil cooler replaced due to failure.
- 09/2015: Oil cooler replaced due to failure, oil pump also replaced this time in case relief valve was faulty and causing the issue.
- 05/2016: Oil cooler failed again.

- In all instances, oil and water levels have been solid throughout.
- Oil and water temperatures have remained solid.
- Services carried out at prescribed intervals.
- Genuine Parts used in every case.

What could it be? All ideas and suggestions are appreciated.


Cheers

[murphyv310]

Hi.
There is a recall?? for faulty oil coolers effecting the 5 cylinder engine around 2006.
It's VW's problem, they should be fitting a more substantial cooler!
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads...-recalls.2181/

[muggerbee]

May or may not be related, but I had a suzuki GSX 1100 which was air/oil cooled and the oil cooler always broke, so bad was the problem that you couldn't even get a second hand unit. The issue was caused by insufficient vibration isolation (pants rubber bushes).

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by Mats

- 05/2014: Oil cooler replaced due to failure.
- 07/2014: Oil cooler replaced due to failure.
- 09/2015: Oil cooler replaced due to failure, oil pump also replaced this time in case relief valve was faulty and causing the issue.
- 05/2016: Oil cooler failed again.

That is a typical main dealer response Matt; irrespective of the car's manufacturer.

What was the nature of the repeated failure?

Oh, and thanks very much for posting this. As we all know, MG Rover gets regularly beaten with a stick by media and public alike, yet here we have an example of chronic unreliabilty of a much more fashionable brand which still relies on the reputation of the Beetle.

Simon

[murphyv310]

Originally Posted by SD1too

That is a typical main dealer response Matt; irrespective of the car's manufacturer.

What was the nature of the repeated failure?

Oh, and thanks very much for posting this. As we all know, MG Rover gets regularly beaten with a stick by media and public alike, yet here we have an example of chronic unreliabilty of a much more fashionable brand which still relies on the reputation of the Beetle.

Simon

Very true Simon!
If the truth was known the Beetle wasn't any more reliable than umpteen other cars! There are many stock faults on those flat 4 engines, from brittle valves, stuck thermostats, worn layshaft gearbox bearings, rust and other maladies, the beetle status was due to the cars long production run and its cult following. The 1302 & 1303 must have been one of the worst rusters known to man!
I had two and really wasn't impressed.

The oil cooler in the T5 is part of the oil filter assembly, very similar to the set up on many VAG engines so they must have re-designed this for cost saving.

[Mats]

Originally Posted by SD1too

What was the nature of the repeated failure?

Simon

That is the one million dollar/euro/pound question...
That's what the thread is all about.

Suggestions? Should he simply swap the oil cooler for an upgraded version and hope for the best or could it be anything else?

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by Mats

That is the one million dollar/euro/pound question...

What I meant Matt is: how did it fail? For example, did it leak at a hydraulic connection? Was there mixing of oil and coolant (if it's that particular type)? What were the symptoms leading your friend to take his car to the dealer?

Of course there's always the possibility of misdiagnosis, which is quite a strong possibility when a number of replacements "fail" in quick succession.

No-one can say what the cause might be Matt until we know the symptoms.

Simon