cooling
Engine Oil Cooler
for 2012 Ford F-150 5.0L V8 Coyote · 4WD
Difficulty
Moderate
Time
2.6 h
Tools
8
Steps
15
🤖AI-generated, not yet human-verified. This walkthrough was produced by AI and may contain errors. Treat it as a guide, cross-check every step and torque value against the manufacturer's service manual, and stop if anything looks unsafe. This is a moderate-risk job — take extra care.
This procedure covers removal and replacement of the engine oil cooler assembly on the 2011-2014 Ford F-150 with 5.0L Coyote V8 engine, including coolant drainage, hose disconnection, and housing removal.
Warnings
⚠️Allow engine to cool completely before beginning work. Hot coolant and oil can cause severe burns.
⚠The oil cooler is located near the front of the engine and coolant will drain when disconnected. Have adequate drain pans positioned.
ℹ️Mark all coolant hose positions before removal to ensure correct reassembly routing.
Tools required
Socket set (8mm-19mm)Essential
Torque wrench (5-50 Nm range)Essential
Drain pan (minimum 2 gallon capacity)Essential
Hose clamp pliersEssential
Coolant refill funnel with adapter
Pry bar or trim removal tool
Shop rags or absorbent padsEssential
Extension set (3-inch and 6-inch)Essential
Parts
- Engine oil cooler assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Oil cooler housing gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
- O-ring seal kit for coolant connections × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Coolant (if needed to top off) × 1 — Motorcraft Orange Coolant
Fluids
- Motorcraft Orange Coolant — 2 qt
Preparation
- Ensure engine is completely cold (minimum 2 hours after last operation)
- Disconnect negative battery cable and secure away from terminal
- Remove engine cover by pulling upward on front and rear clips
- Position vehicle on level ground with parking brake engaged
- Place drain pans beneath radiator drain plug and oil cooler area
- Take photos of hose routing and connection points for reference during reassembly
Procedure
- 1Drain engine coolantOpen the radiator drain plug located at the bottom of the radiator on the driver's side. Allow coolant to drain into a suitable container. Once drained, close the drain plug and torque to specification.Torque specCoolant Drain Plug15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
- 2Remove air intake componentsDisconnect the air intake tube from the throttle body. Loosen the hose clamp at the air filter housing and remove the intake tube assembly to provide access to the front of the engine. Set aside in a clean area.
- 3Locate oil cooler assemblyThe oil cooler is mounted on the driver's side of the engine block, below the exhaust manifold. It consists of a housing with coolant hoses and an integrated oil filter adapter. Identify all coolant hoses connected to the oil cooler housing.
- 4Disconnect coolant hosesUsing hose clamp pliers, compress and slide the spring clamps back on each coolant hose connected to the oil cooler. There are typically two hoses: one inlet and one outlet. Twist hoses gently while pulling to break the seal, then remove completely. Expect residual coolant drainage.⚠Residual coolant will drain from hoses and housing. Keep drain pan positioned beneath work area.Torque specHose Clamps3 Nm (2 lb-ft)
- 5Remove oil filterIf the oil cooler is integrated with the oil filter housing, remove the oil filter using an oil filter wrench. Allow any remaining oil to drain into the pan. Inspect the filter mounting surface for debris or damage.
- 6Disconnect oil cooler linesLocate the engine oil supply and return lines connected to the oil cooler. Use a line wrench to loosen the fittings, supporting the cooler housing to prevent twisting. Cap or plug open ports immediately to prevent contamination.
- 7Remove oil cooler housing boltsRemove the housing bolts securing the oil cooler assembly to the engine block. There are typically 3-4 bolts. Use a socket with extension to access all bolt locations. Keep bolts organized for reinstallation.Torque specHousing Bolts17 Nm (13 lb-ft)
- 8Remove oil cooler assemblyCarefully pull the oil cooler assembly away from the engine block. The assembly may be tight due to gasket seal. Use gentle prying if necessary, taking care not to damage mating surfaces. Remove and discard old gasket material.
- 9Clean mounting surfacesThoroughly clean the engine block mounting surface where the oil cooler attaches. Remove all old gasket material using a plastic scraper. Wipe surfaces clean with a lint-free cloth and brake cleaner. Inspect for cracks or damage to mating surface.⚠Do not use metal scrapers that could gouge the aluminum mounting surface. Scratches can cause coolant or oil leaks.
- 10Prepare new oil coolerUnpack the new oil cooler assembly. Install new O-rings on all coolant connection ports using light coating of clean coolant as lubricant. Position the new housing gasket on the engine block mounting surface or on the cooler housing per manufacturer design.
- 11Install new oil cooler assemblyAlign the new oil cooler assembly with the mounting holes on the engine block. Ensure the gasket remains properly positioned. Start all housing bolts by hand to ensure proper thread engagement before tightening any bolts.Torque specHousing Bolts17 Nm (13 lb-ft)
- 12Reconnect oil cooler linesRemove caps from oil supply and return ports. Reconnect the oil cooler lines to the new assembly, tightening fittings with a line wrench. Ensure fittings are snug but do not over-tighten aluminum threads.
- 13Reconnect coolant hosesSlide coolant hoses onto the oil cooler inlet and outlet ports, ensuring they are fully seated. Position spring clamps over the connection points and compress to secure. Verify hoses are routed correctly per reference photos taken during disassembly.Torque specHose Clamps3 Nm (2 lb-ft)
- 14Install new oil filterInstall a new oil filter onto the oil cooler housing if integrated. Lubricate the filter gasket with clean engine oil before installation. Hand-tighten the filter per manufacturer specifications (typically 3/4 turn after gasket contact).
- 15Refill coolant systemRefill the cooling system with Motorcraft Orange Coolant through the radiator cap or coolant reservoir. Use a funnel with adapter to minimize air pockets. Fill to the appropriate level per reservoir markings. Start engine and allow to reach operating temperature while monitoring for leaks.
Reassembly
- Reinstall air intake tube and secure all clamps
- Reinstall engine cover by aligning clips and pressing firmly until seated
- Reconnect negative battery cable
- Check engine oil level and top off if necessary after oil cooler replacement
- Verify all tools and parts have been removed from engine bay
Verification
- Start engine and allow to idle for 5 minutes while monitoring coolant temperature
- Check for any coolant leaks around oil cooler housing and hose connections
- Check for oil leaks around oil cooler mounting surface and oil filter
- Verify coolant level in reservoir is at proper cold fill line after engine cools
- Monitor oil pressure gauge during initial operation to ensure normal readings
- Test drive vehicle and recheck all connections for leaks after reaching operating temperature