1998 Cadillac Catera Oil cooler

1998 CADILLAC CATERA
86,000 MILES • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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RAYMOND PRIESTLEY
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I f a mechanic replace both intake manifold on my 1998 catera. Is it possible for them to have reach the oil cooler? Also, can I check to see if my oil cooler is leaking. I have no oil in my coolant,but I did replace the heater regulator once myself. Could this be leaking onto the transmission, and cause a miss read a mechanic?
May 25, 2010 at 5:52 AM
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FACTORYJACK
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Is this regarding an oil leak, or coolant leak? With both the upper and lower intakes removed, the oil cooler would have been exposed. It can be leaking either oil, or coolant down the rear of the engine. If it is leaking coolant from the cooler cover, it is usually not a severe leak. Oil on the other hand, can leak from the cooler fittings at a good rate. What were the intakes replaced for?
May 25, 2010 at 3:53 PM
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RAYMOND PRIESTLEY
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I replaced the intake for $900. They said that its take a while to take off all pletnum off the catera. The machanic say it's oil he saw leaking and should be replaced.
May 26, 2010 at 1:37 AM
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FACTORYJACK
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
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  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Still don't understand why the intake was replaced. The only oil leak that would be occurring at the oil cooler would be from the fittings(banjo style bolts w/crush seals). It would need confirmed that this is leaking before I would go back into it. There are several things that can leak, most common on the upper engine is the cam covers, but I have seen leaks at the oil cooler lines one time, and I believe it was loose fitting bolts. Keep in mind that if it is leaking there, this is oil under pressure, and it will be leaking pretty good when running. With some extensive visual inspection, and/or adding ultraviolet dye to engine oil, the source can be isolated.
May 26, 2010 at 4:35 PM
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