So I was trolling the OEM parts diagrams at Sewell Lexus. (Yes I know I am a geek, no need to point it out ) And I cam accross a diagram labeled "Engine Oil Cooler". Looking at the diagram shows two little tubes, one from each valve cover that lead back to the block:


Anybody know the story on these? I can't see that these would really provide much cooling, also from just looking at these I wouldn't really expect that the oil is pressurized in these tubes but I guess they could lead from the pump up to the valve covers... I also can't help but wonder if the engine was designed for coolers to be added to the engine here, and maybe Toyota decided they were unnecesary in this application.

Just curious, if this were a feature I could utilize by adding a pair of small oil coolers to the engine I might take advantage of it.

 

Yes, you could remove the stock "cooler" lines and add in a real oil cooler. I was going to do this when I mocked up a rear mounted turbo setup on the is350.

 

Despite being listed in the "Oil Cooler" section, those are not cooler lines, they are oil pressure hardlines to provide oil pressure to the VVT-i OCV's in the head heads.

Jeff

 

Hmmm... In that case it would worry me to tap into those lines for a cooler for fear that any pressure drop in the oil cooler would affect valve timing. Especially since I would prefer to put a thermostat in any add-on cooler.