AudiQua

I've had my 1994 90 since 1997 and never changed oil cooler gasket (I know). A month ago I had huge, gushing oil leak from oil cooler gasket. Replaced it and car was fine for a week then huge blow out again.

My guess is when torqueing the nut down there was resistance from the gasket (I bought 2 from Rockauto and used the slightly thicker one). Should I have waited for the gasket to settle and re-torque? Any value in putting thread locker on nut. Needless to say I am gun shy at this point and almost feel like towing it to my mechanic. Do not want to be stranded again. Any thoughts would be very appreciated.

Thanks.

desertsage

Is this the AAH 12v V6 engine? Yeah, that is a weird one. The gasket has 2 little fingers that connect to the hooks on the cooler. Were they attached properly? You applied clean engine oil to the gasket? I wouldn't apply thread locker to that nut. It could get into the engine oil. What about the cooler itself? Is it the original? They are fairly inexpensive and a common failure point. You might as well install a new cooler for piece of mind, as well as the two short coolant hoses, which are a pain to fiddle with.

The only other thought that I could offer is to make sure that both of the mating surfaces are smooth and clean, but you must have done that.

Rusty Spokes

Desertsage is correct. Use the later revised "cooler" part number 078-117-021A which has an extra hole for better cold flow. Get the OEM gasket from VW/Audi #038-117-070A . The aftermarket stuff can be unreliable. FCP Euro has both. Nissens is fine for the cooler.

AudiQua

Thank you for the replies.
It is AAH. I did install a new cooler (Uro parts) and maybe this contributed. The hoses are fiddly and I was getting resistance from the hose when pushing the cooler assembly to the mating surface. Hose can be pushed in further not interfere with cooler mating against surface (cooler was on a slight angle as the part with hose connections was pushed out by the hose. I'll correct this).

I will get the gasket from audi dealer ($4.50 CDN) and I am inclined to put my original cooler back but it will not be the revised one. Is Uro any good or should I purchase better cooler?

Thanks

desertsage

Ahem... Well, I installed a Uro oil cooler on one of my B5s (in a moment of cheapness) and it's been fine so far. A year or two? If I were you, I wouldn't put that old cooler back on, especially if it's..... old. Those things can rot out from corrosion from the inside. Only my humble opinion.

Rusty Spokes

It is easy to misalign the cooler to the mount, especially when fiddling with those hoses. There are some mount tabs that are there to orient the cooler and can "dent" or keep the cooler from seating correctly.

I have not had good luck with URO parts. Get the updated cooler made by Nissens. FCP Euro $28. Throw in some oil filters and get free shipping.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/aud...r-078117021a-1

egp320i

There is a torque spec for the collar nut for the oil cooler but I can't remember. If it's not on tight enough it will weep
I want to say 30-35?