On my 5.3L engine, the Oil Cooler Gasket was leaking slightly (located above the oil filer where the oil cooler line bolts on)

So, I changed it using the gasket I found at Rock Auto.com Mahle B31872... and it was fine for a few months but now it's seeping again



Is there a better brand I should be considering?

I've heard this is a common issue on 5.3L engines with oil cooler lines so I thought I'd check in to see if there is better option for the gasket

If not, I guess I'll install a new one and this time use some which is like Elephant snot aand it resists oil and fuel (probably should have done this the first time... a little on each side)

 

I've added some RTV to o rings and gaskets before. Sometimes that is your only option.

Make sure the surfaces are flat before reinstalling

 

Both surfaces appear to be perfectly flat.

I may have under tightened it since I couldn't find what torque setting to use and I have a tenancy to over tighten things unless I can find the torque setting

 

I forget the Torque spec off the top of my head but it is in inch pounds. Even at that, 1/2 the time, at least 1 side pulls the thread. When this happens, I install a product called a keensert on both sides. They are much stronger and retain the bolt better than the raw aluminum threads. I have yet to have a leak after that.

 

OK, thanks.

I guess I also need to consider it may be the line itself that is leaking too.

 

Those can also leak too.

 

I bought GM Genuine replacement cooler lines for my 06 LQ4, since the old ones had started to seep. I have not installed it yet. I "think" it came with the crush metal type gasket. 🤔 I'm kinda worried now about installing it, LoL

I installed the FelPro block off plate with has the rubber O-ring like the one you posted on my 99 Silverado and I don't believe it has leaked.

 

I've done the oil cooler lines on both our 06's and used the GM lines, no issues with leaks using the supplied gasket.

Sounds like you may have undertightened it as you suspect, understandable, nobody wants to strip that out.

Richard

 

Yeah, I guess I need to buy a manual that has torque settings so I can actually torque this to factory specs

When I was a young guy turning wrenches... when they said "tighten it down real good"... I experienced a few times where I tightened things down so hard the bolts either stripped or broke, and then they would tell me "you caused it, you fix it" and then I was drilling and putting in heli coils which as you know is really hard in areas with little room to work

So, I always remember now to not tighten things too tight





.

 

Does your truck's computer provide oil temp info?

Just curious what the oil temp would be with the oil cooler in tact as from the factory, versus no oil cooler.