Ford 5.4 Oil Cooler Removal & Installation [Step-by-Step Guide]

Having clean, effective, lubricating oil flowing through a car engine makes it happy. To achieve the best result, the oil must be at temperatures of 180 to 210 degrees Celsius.

How necessary is Ford 5.4 oil cooler removal? Engine oil coolers increase the engine’s life as well as reduce the risk of overheating in extreme conditions. When driving without a thermostat for the oil cooler, make sure the car is warm before driving, and the oil reaches the appropriate level.

In case you are seeking tips and tricks about Ford 5.4 oil cooler replacement time and then installation, you are in the right place. The following step-by-step solution will help you get started free of stress.

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How To Install And Remove Ford 5.4 Oil Cooler? Detailed Guidelines

Installing and removing a Ford 5.4 oil cooler is pretty effortless. Here I shared the detailed guideline.

Before You Begin

This Ford 504 oil cooler needs to be installed by a professional mechanic. Damage to the engine could result from improper installation.

To prevent fittings from being damaged, use only aluminum tools.
For better seals, lubricate every flange on fittings.
Tape tapered pipe threads (NPT) with Teflon (PTFE) or use thread sealant.
Before installing O-rings, lubricate them to protect and ensure a tight seal.

WARNING

Oil ports must not be capped after installing the adapter. Capped ports will prevent oil flow, causing devastating engine damage.
Lines should not be looped together since the oil cannot be filtered.

Preparing For Installation: 10 Simple Steps

Follow the below installation steps carefully. These steps are easy to follow and you can complete them without trouble.

Raise the vehicle’s front end using frame stands, lifts, or ramps approved by the automotive industry.
Underbody panels must be removed to reach the fuel filter. Under the oil filter, lay a drip pan, then take the filter off to let it drain.
You can access your front bumper by removing the bumper cover & headlights.
Remove the lower radiator hose clamp with channel-lock pliers using a radiator connection.
When the hose becomes stuck, try using a plastic instrument to release it.
With the channel-lock pliers, remove the clamps from the engine overflow tank and connections.
Lower radiator hoses must be wholly removed from vehicles.
The factory manifold’s pressure sensor can be removed using the 13/16″ tool.
All 4 screws must be removed with a socket wrench 10-mm, followed by carefully removing the oil cooler of the motor block.
Sealing surfaces on engine blocks should be inspected and cleaned.

Ford 5.4 Oil Cooler Removal And Installation [Easier Than You Expect]

Many people think that oil cooler removal is challenging but the procedure is extremely easy. Here is the oil cooler removal process of Ford 5.4.

Jack stands should be used to raise and support the vehicle.
Ensure Ford 5.4 engine cooling system is drained, and also an oil filter must be removed.
Ensure that the oil cooler is disconnected from the 2 coolant hoses.
Take off the bolts that hold the oil cooler in place – then take it out of the top cover.
Open the front cover and remove the seal and replace the seal in front of the cover.
Install the mounting bolts and oil cooler; therefore, tighten them properly.
The remaining installation steps are reversed from removal, including cooling system refilling and monitoring the level of engine oil.
Oil coolers are attached to engines via larger threaded tubes to which oil filters are screwed.
The oil cooler assembly must be removed along with the threaded tube surrounding the cooling system.
“Installation” is the opposite of “removal.” Make sure you use a brand-new 0-ring seal between the engine and oil cooler.
Check the level of engine oil and restore the cooling system.

When The Installation Is Complete [Check Out]

After completing the installation process, it is significantly essential to check everything is done correctly. Following are a few important points that need to be followed.

Ensure that every fitting is tightened and connected.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommended procedure for refilling your automobile’s cooling system. In this case, you can choose the Ford 5.4 recommended automatic transmission oil color.
The ignition fuse and fuel pump should be removed.
Start the engine and let the oil pressure build for 5 seconds. 3 to 5 times should be repeated.0
Check for oil & coolant leaks after starting the vehicle.
Make sure all lines & fittings are leak-free after 1 heat cycle. Whenever a leak is detected, re-tighten all fittings until leaks are eliminated.

Advanced Steps

If you intend to abuse your vehicle, you will have to completely delete your “OEM” oil cooling system or water circuit (for example, when towing mountains in the summer heat of Arizona).
Working under a jack-supported vehicle is never a good idea. Hot oil may cause burns! Be careful.

FAQs

Can you bypass an oil cooler?

It is generally possible to bypass oil coolers if they are fitted as “OEM parts” or as “add-ons.” In the case of a post-production accessory, bypassing the vehicle permanently is not a problem.

Oil cooling systems can always be bypassed by installing an aftermarket unit, but if your OEM system is installed correctly, it will be fine.

Are engine oil coolers necessary?

Obviously yes. An engine’s performance can certainly be affected by the cooling system. For vehicles with high performance, especially those driven on tracks and in rallies – cooling the oil is vitally important.

Can an oil cooler damage an engine?

The cooling system is forced to use oil. Eventually, your engine will lack lubrication, resulting in severe damage.

Having oil-contaminated is also one possible symptom of a failed coolant gasket. When coolant and water affect engine oil integrity, engine oil becomes ineffective. The truth is that engine damage caused by oil leaks can be irreversible.

What happens if the oil cooler fails?

Whenever the oil cooler stops working, the coolant will drain from the engine. As a result, there is a risk of overheating the engine, which could result in engine damage. Usually, when a leak is large, you’ll see coolant spilling or steam coming from under the hood.

Final Note

With regards to Ford 5.4 oil cooler removal time, I believe this should not be an issue for you. Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of oil coolers, so you can install one in your car.

However, engine oil coolers are relatively inexpensive and independent from other systems for controlling temperature. If you plan on keeping your vehicle for longer life, an oil cooler removal system could be a very wise investment.