Can An Oil Cooler Damage an Engine?

Motorbike overheating is a severe concern for many riders, and that’s why some riders prefer installing the oil cooler to cool down the engine temperature, and that’s why the question arises, can an oil cooler damage an engine? 

An oil cooler can’t damage an engine even if it helps regulate the engine temperature so that it can last for years by significantly decreasing the motorbike engine temperature. However, it can cause significant damage if it malfunctioned and stops reducing the engine temperature. 

Let’s consider what it means and what you can do about it. 

While writing this post, I leave no stone unturned so you can know everything about the oil cooler damaging an engine. 

Can an Oil Cooler Damage an Engine? 

Engine overheating can be a severe concern for the rider and the motorbike engine. Now the question arises, can an oil cooler damage an engine? 

An oil cooler can’t damage an engine even if it helps regulate the engine temperature so that it can last for years by significantly decreasing the motorbike engine temperature. However, it can cause significant damage if it malfunctioned and stops reducing the engine temperature. 

To protect your motorbike engine from any possible destruction, it’s always recommended to maintain it, including cleaning the oil cooler frequently.

How Can Oil Coolers Damage an Engine? 

So far, you understand that an oil cooler can damage the motorbike engine if a malfunction occurs; now, how can an oil cooler damage an engine? 

The oil cooler contains coolant or antifreeze, which rotates around the tubes and coils to absorb all heat from the oil circulating in the engine, and when the oil cooler malfunctions, it causes coolant leakage, which automatically starts the engine to overheat again.

Overall, the oil cooler is the device that can extend the engine’s health and life as long as it works properly. 

Can a Coolant Leakage Destroy the Motorbike Engine? 

Indeed, a malfunctioning coolant leakage can be caused by coolant leakage; now the question arises, can a coolant leakage destroy the motorbike engine? 

Coolant leakage can’t destroy the motorbike engine instantly as it comes with the proper oil circulation, which can cool the motorbike engine itself. However, suppose you own a racing or high CC motorbike which demands external cooling output then the machine can be destroyed after some time. 

That’s why checking the leakage regularly is crucial to protect your motorbike engine from overheating. 

Is Installing an Oil Cooler Necessary? 

So far, do you understand that coolant leakage can slowly harm your motorbike engine? Now the question arises, what’s the point of installing an oil cooler, and is establishing an oil cooler necessary? 

Installing an oil cooler isn’t necessary, especially if you’re an average city rider who doesn’t ride the high CC motorbike or racing motorbikes for miles. The oil cooler is specially made for riders who ride high CC motorbikes on racing tracks and don’t want to miss the performance because of an overheated engine. 

However, you can install the oil cooler if you don’t want performance degradation because of engine overheating to extend the engine’s overall health. 

Also, read my previous post, where I discussed why your motorbike engine starts overheating; CLICK HERE to read more.

Can You Ride a Motorbike With a Damaged Oil Cooler? 

Indeed an oil cooler can be necessary if you don’t want to miss out on the best performance because of an overheated engine. Now, can you ride a motorbike with a damaged oil cooler? 

Although it’s advisable not to ride the motorbike if you observe that the oil cooler is leaking and all the coolant is coming out from it, as it can cause engine overheating. However, if it’s a short ride of fewer than 10 miles, you can ride the motorbike and there won’t be any risk or issue. 

But don’t take the leaked oil cooler issue lightly, as it can cause severe damage, which has a high cost to repair. 

What Will Happen If You Ride a Motorbike With a Damaged Oil Cooler? 

Indeed you can ride the motorbike with the damaged oil cooler for only 10 miles; now the question arises, what will happen if you ride a motorbike with a damaged oil cooler? 

Suppose you ride a motorbike with a damaged oil cooler beyond 10 miles then, your motorbike engine will suffer from overheating issues. Also, you’ll feel performance loss because of an overheated engine which will permanently reduce your motorbike engine health. 

If you’re riding a high CC motorbike without enough cooling technology, then your motorbike can face clutch-burning problems and even worse, overheating can cause expansion or swelling of the motorbike piston. 

How Much Time does It take to Repair the Damaged Oil Cooler? 

So far, you understand that riding the motorbike with the damaged oil cooler can be riskier for more than 10 miles. Now the question arises: how long does repairing the damaged oil cooler take? 

Because of the complexity and location of the oil cooler fitted in the motorbike, the repairing time will take approximately 2-3 hours with a cost of $250 approx. However, the time and cost totally depend upon the place and your motorbike engine’s complexity. 

The more complex the cost will be, the more time it will take to repair the damaged oil cooler. However, you can save money and time instantly by focusing on the early symptoms of damaging oil coolers. 

When to Change the Motorcycle Oil Coolers to Reduce the Engine Damages?

Motorbike coolers come with an excellent lifespan; still, it’s better to know when to change the motorbike oil coolers.  

Here are some symptoms concluding that your motorbike oil coolers are wrong. 

When to Change Oil Coolers: Details: 
Oil leakage. Oil leakage indicates an improper connection. 
Power loss. Power loss indicates motorbike overheating, indicating oil coolers’ failure. 
Burning smell. The burning smell caused when your motorbike overheats indicate the oil cooler’s failure. 
Table Explaining When to Change Oil Coolers.

Oil Leakage:

Motorcycle oil goes through the oil cooler first before circulating on your motorbike. 

Oil leakage can be caused when you don’t join hoses together ideally. Contact technical asap if you see any oil leakage. 

Power Loss:

Power loss is one of the most significant signs of motorbike overheating. And if you see power loss, your motorbike is starting to overheat, indicating a faulty oil cooler. 

Remember, in the case of oil coolers, a stitch in time saves nine. 

Burning Smell:

Motorbike oil coolers prevent your motorbike engine from reaching a high temperature. The burning smell is the most significant sign of motorbike overheating. 

If you ever sense a burning smell while riding, checking your motorbike oil cooler would be best.  

Frequently Asked Questions:

How can oil coolers damage an engine?

The oil cooler contains coolant or antifreeze, which rotates around the tubes and coils to absorb all heat from the oil circulating in the engine. When the oil cooler malfunctions, it causes coolant leakage, which automatically starts the engine to overheat again.

Can a coolant leakage destroy the motorbike engine?

Coolant leakage can’t destroy the motorbike engine instantly as it comes with the proper oil circulation, which can cool the motorbike engine itself. However, suppose you own a racing or high CC motorbike which demands external cooling output. In that case, the machine can be destroyed after some time. 

Is installing an oil cooler necessary?

Installing an oil cooler isn’t necessary, especially if you’re an average city rider who doesn’t ride the high CC motorbike or racing motorbikes for miles. The oil cooler is specially made for riders who ride high CC motorbikes on racing tracks and don’t want to miss the performance because of an overheated engine. 

Can you ride a motorbike with a damaged oil cooler? 

Although it’s advisable not to ride the motorbike if you observe that the oil cooler is leaking and all the coolant is coming out from it, it can cause engine overheating; however, if it’s a short ride of fewer than 10 miles, you can ride the motorbike, and there won’t be any risk or issue. 

What will happen if you ride a motorbike with a damaged oil cooler? 

Suppose you ride a motorbike with a damaged oil cooler beyond 10 miles. In that case, your motorbike engine will suffer from overheating issues. Also, you’ll feel performance loss because of an overheated engine which will permanently reduce your motorbike engine health. 

Final Verdict: 

Can an oil cooler damage an engine? Oil can damage a machine even if it helps regulate the engine temperature so that it can be lost for years, decreasing the motorbike engine temperature significantly. 

However, it can cause significant damage if it starts malfunctioning and stops reducing the engine temperature. I’ve mentioned some signs of malfunctioning oil coolers which you should focus on to protect motorbike engines from every possible consequence of overheating.