The oil cooler transfers heat between engine oil and coolant to keep oil temperature in check, and on the 6.0L Power Stroke it is a critical, failure-prone part.
What it does
The 6.0L oil cooler is a compact plate cooler in the valley that passes oil and coolant past each other. Its narrow passages clog with casting sand and coolant sediment, which restricts flow and drives the temperatures that kill the EGR cooler downstream.
Signs it is failing
- Wide oil-to-coolant temperature spread (delta-T)
- Overheating and coolant flow restriction
- Repeated EGR cooler failures
- Coolant contamination and sediment
Replacement and what to know
A plugged oil cooler is replaced, and the cooling system must be flushed to remove the contamination that caused it. Because access is shared and the coolers are linked, the EGR cooler is typically replaced at the same time, along with fresh, correct coolant.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know the oil cooler is bad?
Run a delta-T test comparing oil and coolant temperature under load. A spread wider than about 15 degrees F indicates restriction.
Why does it kill the EGR cooler?
A plugged oil cooler restricts coolant flow, starving and overheating the EGR cooler downstream.
Do I need to flush the system?
Yes. The contamination that plugged the cooler must be flushed out, or the new cooler will plug again.
Need the part?
We stock the parts these trucks need. Shop 6.0L Power Stroke Oil Coolers →