Oil cooler problems

[Rich H]

Hi guys, been a while.

 

Not long put the Esprit back on the road and I've got a rather large problem...  it's sprung a rather large leak from the OS oil cooler (It's had a damp patch for a while) so I decided to remove it and replace...  but both fittings have snapped off leaving ali stubs in the pipe nuts. 

 

They are stuck fast and I can't shift them at all.  The lower one rotates but as there is nothing to grip it just spins.  The upper one has a longer stub but the ali nut (that was part of the cooler) is too soft to grip.  Usually I'de just heat them up but obviously this will damage the hoses.

 

any ideas on how to remove them?  Or a work around?

 

Thanks

Rich

[fjmuurling]

Use a Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) solution, it will dissolve the aluminium but not the steel hose fittings. Take all safety precautions. I used a glass jar to put the solution and fittings in. Increasing the strenght of the solution and using warm water will speed up the process.

[glynherron]

Caustic soda. Yes. Caustic soda. Glass jar 3/4 filled with water. Add caustic soda until it gets hot. Then immerse the union. The aluminium will start to bubble. Leave for a few hours and repeat. Mine took only 2 times. Easy. Really easy.

Hi freek. You beat me to it

Sodium hydroxide though not potassium hydroxide

[Rich H]

Nice one thanks guys - Will give it a go.

[fjmuurling]

Glyn, thx for correction. I corrected my post, it now has the right name for NaOH.

[Escape]

I had the same problem when I tried to remove the cooler. I ended up cutting of the old fittings and replaced them with push-in fittings. They are a real tight fit, I even had to heat the hoses somewhat, so I'm confident they will remain leakfree.

 

Filip

[Rich H]

That will be athe next option if the caustic fails for any reason

 

Cheers

Rich

[Rich H]

Thanks guys - I've ordered all the required bits washers, nuts, etc and will get the caustic to work tonight.

 

Few hours work (and checmical reactions) plus oil change and I'll be running again.

 

Cheers

 

Rich

[Rich H]

It's pickling now.

Couldn't get Caustic soda but got oven cleaner instead, it's NaOH.

The ali is merrily fizzing away just suspect it's not quite as concentrated as it could be.

Ah well it'll just take longer.

[mr.oogieboogie]

You can get caustic soda from boots the chemist about 3quid use a jam jar