How Does an Oil Cooler Work?

Motorbike overheating is a serious concern that every rider hates while riding the motorbike and here the oil cooler comes into play. And that’s why the question arises, how does an oil cooler work? 

Oil coolers are devices that feature horizontal and vertical aluminum fins, they absorb excess heat that your motorbike generates while in use. Additionally, they safeguard your motorbike oil from becoming too viscous.

Let’s look at 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 working of oil coolers. 

Attention all US riders! 🌟 Explore the inner workings of an oil cooler as our website breaks down its vital role in your motorcycle’s performance. But that’s not all! Don’t forget to explore customized motorbike insurance options, ensuring you stay protected while your oil cooler keeps your engine running strong. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to gear up for success and ride with unbeatable assurance! 🔍🔧❄️🎯

How Does an Oil Cooler Work? 

It’s more common when a motorbike overheats irrespective of the oil that you changed. Sometimes it’s the fault of the motorbike oil you’re using, but sometimes it’s the fault of external temperature. 

Yes, external temperature highly impacts your motorbike temperature. And to reduce this overheating, you need oil coolers. 

Oil coolers are simply devices that come with aluminum-made fins that run horizontally and vertically. These aluminum fins absorb unnecessary heat that your motorbike produces while riding. The motorbike oil coolers also protect your motorbike oil from becoming highly viscous.

How Motorcycle Oil Coolers Work: 

Before understanding the function of oil coolers, you should know why you put oil into a motorbike. 

Oil is generally put in your motorbike to reduce friction between the piston and cylinder in the engine, but one of the most essential reasons riders forget is that engine oil helps the motorbike cool a bit. 

Like water, the oil also comes with a heat-absorbing feature that absorbs significant heat from your engine, this continuity process heats the motorbike oil more than its threshold amount, thus making it dense. 

And this highly viscous oil can’t rotate correctly in the engine, which increases the friction between the cylinder and piston further, thus making your motorbike engine overheat. 

Fortunately, motorbike oil coolers are there for your motorbike. The functioning of an oil cooler is simple yet effective. 

Motorbike oil coolers work by allowing oil to flow through them. And when motorbike oil flows through them, the aluminum fins, which have a heat-absorbing feature, absorb most of the heat. The aluminum fins and grates always fit the exterior of your motorbike for more cooling. 

In simpler words, motorbike oil coolers transport heat from the oil to the exposed aluminum fins. 

How to Use Motorcycle Oil Coolers: 

Using motorbike oil coolers is not rocket science. 

You just have to install a motorbike oil cooler for your motorbike, and it will automatically work, always make sure you buy motorbike oil coolers that fit perfectly to your motorbike. 

Or simply, you can ask a technician to recommend the best oil coolers for your motorbike. 

In the next section, I’ve mentioned how you can install oil coolers into your motorbike. 

How to Install Motorcycle Oil Coolers: 

Installing a motorbike oil cooler is not rocket science; below are some easy steps through which you can install oil coolers on your motorbike. 

Attention: Although the steps below are easy if you’re a bit non-techy, then it’s better to hire an experienced technician to install an oil cooler for you.

Steps	Details
Preparation.	Always wear protective glasses and gloves before starting.
Drain the oil.	Drain all oil left on the motorbike.
Make a room.	Disconnect all wires and harnesses.
Install an oil cooler.	Drain all oil left on the motorbike.
Close inspection.	Inspect closely and make sure all screws tighten.
Final installation.	Connect all hoses to the motorbike oil cooler.
Refilling the oil.	Refill the oil which you drained earlier.

Preparation:

Before installing the motorbike cooler, you need to prepare yourself. Always wear protective glasses and gloves to protect yourself from skin-to-oil exposure. 

Drain the Oil:

After preparing and wearing all protective units now, you’ll have to drain all oil left in the motorbike. 

It’s more important to avoid any internal spill and damage. 

Make Room:

Now after draining the oil next, you have to make room by disconnecting all wires and harnesses. 

It’s more critical when your motorbike has less space. 

Install Oil Cooler:

This step is the most crucial; in this step, you have to install a new oil cooler on your motorbike as per the instruction manual that came with the cooler. 

This step also includes removing old coolers if it’s installed. 

Closely Inspection:

Now inspect closely and see everything is fitted alright. Check all crews and tighten and seal properly. 

Final Installation:

In this step, you have to ensure that all hoses are connected to the motorbike oil cooler. This step will ensure the motorbike oil flows directly through aluminum fins before circulation into the motorbike. 

Refill the Oil:

In this step, you’ll have to refill the oil, which you drain once. 

After refilling the oil, don’t forget to ride your motorbike for an hour to see if the whole system is working or not. 

You can also see these videos if you’re confused. 

Harley Davidson riders see these videos: 

Is it Necessary to Install Motorbike Oil Coolers: 

Till now, you’ve learned the functioning of motorbike oil coolers and their pros and cons. 

Now the question arises, whether it’s necessary to install motorbike oil coolers or not. 

It’s necessary to install motorbike oil coolers if you ever want to overheat your engine. Even installing a motorbike oil cooler helps save money in the long run by avoiding engine expenses. In simpler words, it’s necessary to install motorbike oil coolers. 

Pros and Cons of Motorcycle Oil Coolers: 

Every gadget has some pros and cons; let’s see the pros and cons of motorbike oil coolers.

Pros of Motorbike Oil Coolers:	Cons of Motorbike Oil Coolers:
Protect motorbikes from overheating.	It may require some technical knowledge to install the oil coolers.
Prevent the oil from becoming viscous.	May add extra weight to your motorbike and reduce engine efficiency.
Save money in the long run by extending the life of motorbike parts.	Finding a suitable cooler for your motorbike may require some research.

Pros of Motorbike Oil Coolers:

The most significant pros of oil coolers are that they protect your motorbike from overheating issues, extending the engine parts’ life.

Another advantage of a motorbike oil cooler is that it prevents the motorbike oil from being highly viscous, thus reducing the friction between the cylinder and the piston. 

You could save more money by preventing any internal damage after installing the oil cooler on your motorbike in the longer run.

Cons of Motorbike Oil Coolers:

The most significant cons of motorbike coolers are that it requires a bit of technical knowledge for installing the coolers.

Installing motorbike coolers might also add some weight to your motorbike, which overall reduces engine efficiency.  

The last cons of oil coolers are that it requires more research to find a suitable oil cooler for your motorbike. 

You can ask your technician to find the best motorbike oil cooler as per your motorbike needs. 

When to Change the Motorcycle Oil Coolers: 

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 there’s something wrong with your motorbike oil coolers. 

When to Change Oil Coolers:	Details:
Oil leakage.	Oil leakage indicates an improper connection.
Power loss.	The burning smell caused when your motorbike overheats indicate the failure of the oil cooler.
Burning smell.	The burning smell caused when your motorbike overheats indicate the failure of the oil cooler.

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, it means your motorbike is starting to overheat, which indicates 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, it would be best to check your motorbike oil cooler. 

Also, read my previous post where I discussed whether motorbike oil coolers can damage your motorbike engine or not, CLICK HERE to read.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Words: 

How does an oil cooler work? Motorbike oil coolers come with aluminum-made fins that absorb unnecessary heat, which your motorbike oil might carry. 

By absorbing heat, the coolers ensure the oil won’t become highly viscous or low viscous, in simpler words, motorbike coolers work by protecting your motorbike from overheating. 

Don’t forget to call a motorbike technician if you ever find some motorbike failure symptoms as mentioned above.