Picked up a nice used O.E. oil cooler for my 85 GSL-SE. I hear what sounds like a ball bearing moving around when I lift it up left and right. It's specific to that movement. It also sounds pretty consistent and not like miscellaneous trash moving around inside. Anyone have any idea what this may be and is this normal? I know there is some sort of pressure valve inside but I've never had the correct cooler for my car so I wouldn't know if it's normal.

 

It should not make a noise. The big bolt on the bottom has the oil temperature thermostat inside. You might find out what the noise is by removing to big bolt on the bottom and removing the spring and thermostat. Just remember how they go back in. This will also give you a chance to have it flushed.

 

Yeah I was afraid I would have to find a new washer once I removed that bolt but I guess I better check it out. Can the washer be reused and if not do you know where I can get a new one?

 

Ok oil temp thermostat is out and still have noise and its not something that wants to come out. Almost sounds like the rattle ball in a can of spray paint except with a much deeper tone.

 

Was there a spring on the thermostat? My guess is that something has come off the thermostat. Or a piece of an apex seal from whatever it came off of, maybe. Definitely get that out. I would take it to a radiator shop and have them flush it out and pressure test it.

 

Spring was in yes. I ran hose through it, both with thermostat in and out, and flowed fine. Blew compressed air through it till it was dry and noise stopped. I dont know that whats in there will even come out. Keep in mind that this thing sat out of a car for years and was flushed before storage. Is there any internal flaps in the before chamber where the thermo. sits?

 

The thermostat is the only thing that should be in there. Whatever it was probably got stuck somewhere.

 

And a radiator shop could get it out? Now if it passes the pressure test, they flush it and nothing comes out should I chance it. Isnt the worst that could happen considering the size is it gets trapped in the oil pan?

 

It might be possible to put a bendable magnetic probe in each side tank and see if it catches anything.