1999 Cadillac Catera Internal Engine oil cooler

NARVINT

MEMBER
1999 CADILLAC CATERA
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
165 MILES

I am having problem with my engine oil cooler or what where you subject,

I am open for answers. When I check my engine radiator fluid it is mixed with engine oil.

Now, the first think comes to my mind that the head gasket is leaking oil into the crank case.

The engine is not missing and runs great.
Went I first purchase the car about 5 years ago,

I notice doing radiator fluid exchanges
a little bit of engine oil mix in the radiator fluid.
Today oil is very notable in the radiator.
Help.

Is this is an easy fit? I can purchase a internal oil cooler and gasket for under $ 250.00

what is the likely hood of self repair?

3 Replies

2CARPRO JACK

MECHANIC
11,533 POSTS

It is located under the intake manifold between the cylinder heads.If you are mechanically inclined at all you should be able to do it yourself, but you will need some special sockets for the "inverted Torx" bolt heads that they use on that engine. Try going here fo step-by-step instructions

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/mitchell1eautorepair-car-repair-manuals

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Friday, April 25th, 2008 AT 7:32 AM

BUZZSAW

MECHANIC
1,198 POSTS

Jack this is for some help, This isn't a easy job and the cooler if it hasn't came down on price is 4-500 dollars, you will need 4 gaskets for the cooler bolts, the oil cooler plate gasket is silicone, if your not use to this stuff its messy, an 8mm 1/4 in socket will work on those torx bolts, dont over tighten those oil cooler lines going back together or you will be buying another cooler its real thin aluminium, to get the lines loose you have to remove the oil filter and remove the lines from the block first you will need a 18mm or 19mm crows foot to do this, do not bend the lines at the top, this will put to much strain on the cooler and damage it later and buying another one, all the other gaskets are reusable

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Friday, April 25th, 2008 AT 10:16 PM

BBACON

MEMBER
1 POST

I found this to be a relatively easy repair. Fantastic instructions with pics can be found on the omegaowners. Com forum maintainence sections 1159298765 and 1152564281 Once you have printed these instructions have the tools and parts you should be able to complete the project on a long saturday. It is recommended to change the thermostat at the same time as the same chore will have to be repeated to get to it. Also make sure you are not getting any oil blow by past the valve cover gaskets (oil around spark plugs) If you have this get the gasket kit and replace the gaskets and clean the intake breather tubes as outlined on Omega group. This may take you into the evening however, you will be good for many more miles and feel great about your car. I was pretty intimidated to try this and had excellent results. With six kids I could not afford the $2500 Cadillac quoted. I fixed it all for about $300 however, I forgot to put the water temp sensor wire back on and got to practice again. The second time took me an hour and a half. My oil cooler failed in a major way the other night. I would be greatly in your debt if you could share your resource for the oil cooler parts kit for $250. Cheers, brianbacon@austin. Rr. Com

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Monday, July 28th, 2008 AT 11:42 PM