Audi VW Washer - Corteco N0138481

Product Information

An engine oil cooler is a heat exchanger designed to assist in maintaining stable and adequate oil temperatures to prevent oil breakdown under heavy load conditions. It works by circulating engine oil through a series of small heat conductive passages that are exposed to either airflow (air to oil type) or coolant (water to oil type), depending on the design. Good quality synthetic oil begins to lose protection and lubrication properties generally around 300F and breaks down completely before 500F. In situations where the oil may be approaching this temperature range, it's crucial to bring it back down to standard operating levels.

In an air-to-oil cooler, good airflow is required to ensure the heat is effectively vented. In water-to-oil coolers, engine coolant flowing to the radiator is used to cool the oil. This does not require any additional ducting or fans, which makes this design increasingly popular with carmakers due to additional benefits in engine bay packaging.

Engine oil coolers typically have a thermostat built into the oil cooler circuit that opens and closes depending on the temperature of the oil, to avoid overcooling when temperatures are in a good range.

Engine oil coolers can fail for a few reasons, most commonly due to leaks, blockages, or physical damage. For air-to-oil coolers, the most common failure mode is physical damage caused by road debris or age/rust. Water-to-oil coolers have a different issue. Internal failure can cause coolant to mix with the oil, which will cause a milkshake-like consistency in the oil similar to a blown head gasket.

• External Leaks: Air-to-oil coolers are exposed to difficult road conditions and can be vulnerable to damage from rocks or other road debris.
• Age/Corrosion/Rust: Due to the harsh exposure to the elements, engine oil cooler lines are susceptible to increased levels of corrosion or rust, especially at the fittings. If bad enough, the fittings can become corroded enough to leak, or at minimum lose the ability to service the oil cooler
• Internal failure: Water-to-oil coolers are susceptible to internal failure, which can result in the engine coolant mixing with the engine oil. If gone unnoticed, this can result in engine failure, so it is important to regularly observe coolant or oil quality to ensure the oil cooler is in good shape, especially in older, higher-milage vehicles. Mixing water and oil will result in a “milkshake” style appearance in the fluid.
• Exterior seal leaks: When replacing a water-to-oil style cooler, it is critical to also replace the seals to avoid oil or coolant leaks upon reassembly. These seals can leak either oil or coolant depending on age, mileage, and heat cycling.

About Corteco

Corteco is one of the leading suppliers of sealing and vibration control components. Through their parent company Freudenberg Group, they are an OEM supplier for most car manufacturers around the world. Corteco stands as a distinguished entity within the Freudenberg Group, renowned for its unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation in the aftermarket industry. As an integral part of the Freudenberg Group, Corteco embodies a legacy of precision engineering, superior quality, and customer-centric solutions that have consistently surpassed industry standards.

Passengers can enjoy a comfortable and safe journey, knowing their vehicle is equipped with top-quality components. As Freudenberg’s aftermarket distribution arm, Corteco supplies OE-quality spare parts directly from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) – Freudenberg to the Independent Aftermarket, ensuring passenger cars are restored to their original setup post-repair.

Understanding the diverse needs of drivers, Corteco offers OE-quality spare parts tailored specifically for passenger cars. From rubber-metal and steering & suspension parts for a smooth ride to reliable sealing solutions and micronAir filters for the best air quality in the cabin, Corteco provides a comprehensive range of precision-engineered automotive spare parts.

Originally founded in 1849 as a leather tannery Freudenburg started making seals in 1932 with the invention of the Simmerring®. This seal style quickly replaced felt seals as the new standard for radial shaft sealing rings for rotating shafts/assemblies. Freudenburg began engineering and manufacturing vibration control technology with shock absorbers and bushings in 1957. It was in that same year that Freudenburg partnered with an Italian seal manufacturer Corte & Cosso, creating the Corteco brand. Continuing their history of innovation, Corteco introduced Micronair cabin filters in 1989 and quickly became the market leader in cabin filtering technology.

With over 26,000 parts and products in their product line, Corteco has one of the largest catalogs of sealing and vibration controls. FCP Euro has partnered with Corteco for the 2019 TC America Championship. They are a title sponsor on our 2018 Volkswagen GTI TCR race cars. We offer Corteco's full line of OE and OEM components for your European vehicle.