GUIDELINES FOR REUSABLE PARTS AND

SALVAGE OPERATION OF ENGINE OIL COOLERS

PRESSURE TESTING PROCEDURES OF AN ENGINE OIL COOLER

Notes :
Engine oil coolers can be tested in water that is room temperature or in hot water (near the boiling point).
Caterpillar recommends that oil coolers be tested at room temperature, 16 to 33°C (60 to 90°F). Hot testing is more
dangerous and usually not necessary if the correct procedure is followed.

1. Clean the oil cooler thoroughly before pressure testing. Flush the oil cooler with solvent and then water. Check
the oil cooler for obvious physical damage
2. Block the inlet or outlet port on the oil side of the cooler with a plate or clamp (1, Illustration 1)
3. Install an adapter plate or clamp to the other port so pressure air can be put into the cooler (see illustration 1 &
2)

Illustration 1 Illustration 2

Modified C-clamps are used to block the inlet or outlet ports. (1) C- Special plates can be used to block the ports, but many different
clamp. (2) C-clamp. (3) Quick disconnect sizes will be needed. These plates are also used in the water
flushing procedure

4. After the adapter plates or clamps have been installed, put the oil cooler core into a tank of water. The cooler
must be completely submerged, but still close to the surface. This allows any air bubbles to be seen. Use a rack
that slopes downward in the tank so that different diameters and lengths of oil coolers can be tested without
changing the water level
5. Apply air pressure of 690 to 760 kPa (100 to 110 psi) to the oil cooler.

Notes:
Air pressure must not exceed 795 kPa (115 psi) for any Caterpillar engine oil cooler. Higher pressure can
damage the oil cooler core
6. Agitate the oil cooler at first to help remove air from inside the tubes to prevent false indications of leaks. Keep
the oil cooler in the water, with the air pressure on, for at least 10 minutes before looking for leaks. Wait for the
bubbles, which occur naturally when you put the cooler core in the tank, to disappear before looking for leaks.
Repair the large leaks first, so small leaks can be found

Oil cooler core in tank of water. Bubbles indicate a leak. Repair the
leak and test again

Illustration 3
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