Oil Cooler Leak

[Dead Eye]

After the fun and excitement of getting the engine removed and refitted earlier this year it appears that the Oil Cooler has developed a leak It's leaking between the cooler and the sump so it is likely the O-ring that is behind it. It is however a pain in the ass to get to and means a loss of all the brand new engine oil that's still in there as it drops below the min marker but doesn't trigger the warning light... yet... (it did once on my way back from Bristol which is what alerted me to the leak)

So, can anyone suggest a temporary fix until I have the money and time to deal with removing the exhaust and affording more oil?

Edit: Also, any ideas on where to find a replacement? I've looked but at £20-£30 for a little bit of rubber they can sod right off!!

[His Dudeness]

Is it leaking at the bottom of that thin metal pipe? Try undoing the bolt and check if there is a crush washer either side of the metal line. So there should be one between the engine and the metal line and then one between the metal line and the head of the bolt. Hope that makes sense. Also if it is leaking around those washers you could try just getting two new copper washers and that might solve the problem.

[Gnasher]

Why will you loose all the oil?

Drain it into a clean container replace the O ring behind the oil cooler and put the oil back in!

[Fazerider]

I had a similar leak a while back.
Bought a new 'O' ring, but when I went to fit it discovered the bolt holding the cooler on was loose.
So, if you've not already checked, it might be worth taking the filter off and making sure it's torqued up.

[Dead Eye]

Why will you loose all the oil?

Drain it into a clean container replace the O ring behind the oil cooler and put the oil back in!

I did not think of that :| Wow, now I feel like a complete moron :P

Is it leaking at the bottom of that thin metal pipe? Try undoing the bolt and check if there is a crush washer either side of the metal line. So there should be one between the engine and the metal line and then one between the metal line and the head of the bolt. Hope that makes sense. Also if it is leaking around those washers you could try just getting two new copper washers and that might solve the problem.

Nope, it is literally leaking from the join between the oil cooler and the sump. Got a bit confused by the rest of your message unfortunately :P

[Dead Eye]

So armed with a bright idea from Gnasher I got out in to the garage, removed the exhaust and drained the oil. Luckily, my catch pan is large enough to catch the oil from the drain bolt on the side of the sump as well as leaking oil from the oil filter / cooler

In any case, removed the oil cooler and pulled off the old O-Ring to find it partially destroyed on one edge which you can kind of see in the below photo. Thankfully I have a second oil cooler and the O-Ring looks in good nick so once the last remnants of the oil has drained I'll clean up the mating surfaces and get the O-Ring on and HOPEFULLY I will have stopped both the oil and coolant leaks in the last few days ready for tomorrows London Foccer meet

Details Oil Cooler O-Ring

Oil Cooler O-Ring

[Chris]

Nice one buddy! 

[Gnasher]

Good job mate glad it all worked out.

[Dead Eye]

Went out for a ride to get some fuel for tomorrow and it *appears* as though the oil leak has stopped

[Chris]

Went out for a ride to get some fuel for tomorrow and it *appears* as though the oil leak has stopped

SSSHHHH, Don't anger it! 
 
Chris