erevos

Hi all.
I own a S5 turbo FC3C and a few days ago I tried to clean my radiator by using pressurized air. I noticed that many radiator fins where blocked by a "cotton like" substance that could easily come off by hand. I was baffled because I could not find out what this stuff was and then I realized that it was formed by the deterioration of the foam stripe that is beneath the oil cooler. That stripe still looks ok but small pieces come out of it during driving and then get stuck on the radiator.
So I would like to ask if it is ok to just remove it from the oil cooler?
What is the purpose of this foam stripe? Is it there to just stop oil drips?
One member said in an old topic that it deflects air and sends it up to the cooler but I doubt that since the cooler is tilted in such a way that the deflected air must go downwards, not upwards.
So are there any thoughts or opinions about this?

BLUE TII

iTrader: (9)

The foam strip just seals the oil cooler to the radiator and or the plastic under tray so airflow goes through the core instead of around it.

Its fine without it, but will work imperceptably better with the foam.

That said, it will work perceptably better clean so good job on maintenance.

Zepticon

iTrader: (1)

He is correct. The cooler tilt works only when all the air is able to be deflected downwards without creating a pressure differential.
So the foam makes sure that the only way out is through the cooler, not over or under.

erevos

Thank you for your replies. You are right. I should mention that the plastic under-tray is destroyed so the oil cooler foam was useless. I am planning to built an aluminum under tray in order to improve the air flow. Also after the cleaning of the radiator fins, the water temp is back to normal 86-90 celcius degrees even during driving in traffic.

Natey

iTrader: (19)

Here's an option. LRB treated me well.

https://lrbspeed.com/product/fc-under-tray/

Relisys190

iTrader: (4)

Certainly want the undertray. I replaced that foam with Dense Cell foam with adheasive backing from the local big box store. Something to seal windows/doors worked just fine to keep air traveling through the coils rather than around it.

-M

erevos

Yes, I found recently their site and tried to contact them twice, asking about combined shipping for 3 of their products but never got a reply. I also tried to call them but there is no contact number in the website. Do you happen to know any contact numbers?

Relisys190

iTrader: (4)

LRB is local to me, Not sure of their phone number but Landon and his team are always busy pumping out parts. Here's the Email. lrbspeed@gmail.com

I should note, I have an extra LRB under tray but without hardware bolts i'd be willing to sell if you're interested. But you are located in Greece? I could see what shipping would cost. I can send some photo's tonight when I am home from work.

-Markus

erevos

Athought that I am located in Greece and shipping costs were really high, these awesome people from LRB offered combined shipping for their items and returned to me more than the half of the shipping costs!!!
They are a true asset to the car community! Support them guys!!!

Any photos are welcome. Also please PM me about these bolts if you please.

gsmithrx7

There are a couple of things that happen when the tray is in place.
Directing the air flow through the oil cooler and radiator with the foam in place is one of them. Keeping the temp where it needs to be is very important.

Without the tray in place, I noticed that the front end seemed light and the steering needed more control to keep it steady over 100 MPH!

Put the tray back on and it settled back down to the way it used to handle! Big difference.

Putting in my third engine and replacing the oil cooler also, I found a large piece of "memory foam" that I will cut to size for both parts!