cooling

Engine Oil Cooler

for 2017 Ford F-150 5.0L V8 Coyote · RWD
Editorial review:Chris HacklemanMaster Technician · 20+ years · Jeff MooreMaster Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years
Difficulty
Moderate
Time
2.6 h
Tools
9
Steps
15
Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.

This procedure replaces the engine oil cooler on the 5.0L Coyote V8, which is integrated into the cooling system and requires coolant and oil system access.

Warnings

⚠️Never open the cooling system when the engine is hot. Allow engine to cool completely for at least 2 hours to avoid severe burns from pressurized coolant.
The oil cooler is located low on the engine block. Engine oil will drain when disconnected. Have adequate drain pans positioned.
Coolant is toxic to pets and wildlife. Dispose of used coolant at an approved recycling facility.

Tools required

10mm socket and ratchetEssential
13mm socket and ratchetEssential
Torque wrench (5-50 Nm range)Essential
Drain pan (large capacity for coolant)Essential
Oil drain panEssential
Hose clamp pliersEssential
Pry tool or flat blade screwdriver
Shop towelsEssential
Coolant funnel

Parts

  • Engine oil cooler assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
  • Oil cooler O-ring seals × 1 — Usually included with cooler
  • Coolant hose clamps (if reusing old clamps) × 2 — Standard worm-drive clamps

Fluids

  • Motorcraft Orange Coolant — 4 qt
  • Motorcraft 0W-20 Full Synthetic — 1 qt

Preparation

  1. Ensure engine is completely cold before beginning work
  2. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
  3. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
  4. Disconnect negative battery terminal to prevent electrical issues
  5. Remove engine cover by pulling upward on cover (press-fit clips)
  6. Position drain pans under radiator drain petcock and engine oil cooler area

Procedure

  1. 1
    Drain cooling system
    Open the radiator drain petcock at the bottom of the radiator passenger side. Allow coolant to drain completely into drain pan. Once drained, close the petcock hand-tight.
    Torque spec
    Drain Petcock8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
  2. 2
    Remove radiator upper hose
    Use hose clamp pliers to release the clamp on the upper radiator hose where it connects to the thermostat housing. Twist the hose gently to break the seal, then pull off. Additional coolant will drain from this connection.
    Torque spec
    Hose Clamps3 Nm (2 lb-ft)
  3. 3
    Access oil cooler location
    The oil cooler is mounted on the driver side of the engine block, below the exhaust manifold. It may be necessary to remove the air intake duct for better access. Remove air intake duct by loosening clamps and pulling free from throttle body.
  4. 4
    Disconnect coolant lines from oil cooler
    Locate the two coolant hoses connected to the oil cooler housing. Use hose clamp pliers to release both hose clamps. Twist hoses to break seal and pull off. Position drain pan below as residual coolant will drain. Note the orientation of hoses for reinstallation.
    ℹ️Take a photo of hose routing before removal to ensure correct reinstallation.
    Torque spec
    Hose Clamps3 Nm (2 lb-ft)
  5. 5
    Remove oil filter
    Remove the engine oil filter using an oil filter wrench. Oil will drain from the filter housing. Allow to drain completely into the oil drain pan positioned below. The oil cooler is integrated with the oil filter adapter on this engine.
  6. 6
    Disconnect oil cooler lines
    Locate the oil supply and return lines connected to the oil cooler adapter. Use a line wrench or flare nut wrench to disconnect the threaded fittings. Be prepared for additional engine oil to drain from these lines. Cap or plug lines immediately to prevent contamination.
    Use a flare nut wrench to prevent rounding off the fitting. Standard wrenches can damage the fittings.
  7. 7
    Remove oil cooler mounting bolts
    Remove the mounting bolts securing the oil cooler assembly to the engine block. There are typically 2-3 bolts depending on the specific cooler design. Support the cooler assembly as you remove the final bolt to prevent it from falling.
    Torque spec
    Mounting Bolts34 Nm (25 lb-ft)
  8. 8
    Remove oil cooler assembly
    Carefully pull the oil cooler assembly away from the engine block. Residual oil and coolant will drain. Clean the mounting surface on the engine block thoroughly with a clean shop towel. Remove all traces of old gasket material and debris. Inspect the mounting surface for cracks or damage.
  9. 9
    Prepare new oil cooler
    Install new O-ring seals onto the new oil cooler assembly. Lightly lubricate the O-rings with clean engine oil to ease installation and prevent tearing during installation. Verify all coolant and oil ports are clear of debris or protective plugs.
  10. 10
    Install new oil cooler
    Position the new oil cooler assembly onto the engine block, aligning the mounting holes and ensuring O-rings seat properly. Hand-thread the mounting bolts to prevent cross-threading. Tighten mounting bolts in a criss-cross pattern to specification using a torque wrench.
    Torque spec
    Mounting Bolts34 Nm (25 lb-ft)
  11. 11
    Reconnect oil lines
    Reconnect the engine oil supply and return lines to the new oil cooler adapter. Hand-thread the fittings first, then tighten with a line wrench. Do not over-tighten as this can damage the aluminum threads in the cooler housing.
    Tighten oil line fittings snug plus 1/4 turn. Over-tightening can strip aluminum threads.
  12. 12
    Reconnect coolant hoses
    Reinstall the coolant hoses to the oil cooler housing, ensuring they are fully seated. Position new hose clamps (or reuse if in good condition) and tighten to specification. Ensure hoses are routed correctly and do not contact sharp edges or hot components.
    Torque spec
    Hose Clamps3 Nm (2 lb-ft)
  13. 13
    Install new oil filter and refill engine oil
    Install a new engine oil filter. Pre-fill the filter with fresh oil and lubricate the filter gasket with clean oil. Hand-tighten the filter 3/4 turn after gasket contact. Add the appropriate amount of Motorcraft 0W-20 oil to compensate for what was lost during the procedure.
  14. 14
    Refill cooling system
    Reconnect the upper radiator hose to the thermostat housing and secure with hose clamp to specification. Refill the cooling system with Motorcraft Orange Coolant through the radiator cap or coolant reservoir. Fill slowly to allow air to escape. Start with approximately 4 quarts.
    Torque spec
    Hose Clamps3 Nm (2 lb-ft)
  15. 15
    Bleed cooling system and check for leaks
    Reconnect the negative battery terminal. Start the engine and allow it to reach normal operating temperature with the heater on high. Monitor coolant level and top off as needed. Watch for leaks around the oil cooler connections and hoses. Check engine oil level and top off if needed. Run engine for 10-15 minutes, then shut off and allow to cool. Recheck all fluid levels.
    Monitor temperature gauge closely. If engine overheats, shut off immediately and check for coolant leaks or air pockets.

Reassembly

  1. Reinstall air intake duct if removed, securing all clamps properly
  2. Reinstall engine cover by aligning clips and pressing firmly until seated
  3. Verify all hose clamps are tight and coolant hoses are properly routed
  4. Double-check oil filter is tight and oil level is correct on dipstick

Verification

  • Start engine and verify no coolant leaks around oil cooler hoses and connections
  • Verify no engine oil leaks around oil cooler mounting surface and oil line connections
  • Confirm engine reaches normal operating temperature without overheating
  • Check that heater produces hot air, confirming proper coolant circulation
  • After test drive, recheck all fluid levels and inspect for any new leaks
  • Monitor oil pressure gauge to ensure normal pressure readings
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