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hey out there,
can a oil cooler be replaced without engine removal ?
thanks in advance,
doc

yes it can.

ok bugman, tell us the story on how its done. doc asked about an oil cooler and not a oil filler/geneator tower right. not an external cooler nor did he mention it was a railcar or baja. you can change an alternator in a car but the fan shroud does not come all the way off. i am not saying your wrong because if there is a way i want to know.

ok here is how i changed my oil cooler seals on mine. i pulled the engine lid and the mounting hardware for it, thenthe gen and stand, then the intake unbolt both ends from the heads. then i unscrew the fan shroud and remove it then i unbolt the oil cooler. it's a pain but it can be done

bugman, thank you for sharing. i have trouble getting my fat fingers in there with the motor out of the car.

What body style? For the most part you can do than in car, but be warned it is a deceptive amount of work to reassemble.

Non-stock hot rodded engines in ghias are easy, thermostats and dog houses in early beetle damn hard, thing or buses impossible.

I've done it too. In a bug, the lid, hinges and hinge brackets need to come out. MARK their position before loosening any of the bolts, so you can get them lined up good ahen it's time to put it all back together. It's a bitch. Also, before doing anything, tape up the top edge and especially the top corners of the decklid with plenty of masking tape. It is really easy to chip the paint when trying to reinstall the lid. Don't ask me how I know.

Don't leave the masking tape on there for any longer than you need to get the whole job done and teh lid back on. The glue sticks real hard with time.

To get the damn lid spring back on: attach one side of the lid hinge only, I do the right side. Just ONE bolt. Then the lid can swing out sideways, swiveling around that one bolt. Slip the spring in it's place, and compress it by pushing the lid back where it belongs. Spring nicely goes where it's supposed to. Keep applying force to the lid so you can start the second hinge bolt on the opposite side. It's pretty easy from there on.

that's what i have is a 74 beetle. it's a major pain but it is possible

It's a lot easier to remove the engine.

Ever notice that all the people who say, "Volkswagens are easy to work on." are the ones who have never worked on one? Sorry, but that phrase just came to mind after reading this thread.

I have also been unfortunate enough to have done this job, and YES it is a pain, but it CAN be done.

Lee

i do all of the work on mine. and i do say that they are easier to work on. these new cars are a real pain in the rear. on a bug if it dosen't run it's either not getting fuel,spark, or low compression. thses newer ones could be anything from computer,spark,fuel,oil pressure, and anything in between.

usually, i know what i need to do, i can see what i need to do, just getting to what i need to do is the problem sometimes. it even happens on the rail car and the baja.

Bugman,

That was my attempt at humor. Most jobs on the ACVW are very simple, but some of the more mundane jobs can be a real pain. Changing spark plugs or replacing an alternator (without dropping the engine) can be downright frustrating for someone who hasn't done it before. Even an oil change takes three times longer to do on a Bug than a modern car (if you take the time to remove and clean the strainer).

Indeed, jury-rigging a Bug is easier than other cars, but it takes time and experience to get one to run the way it did when it came from the factory. I have only been in the hobby since 1995, so I am fortunate to have the good people in this forum to help me out when I need it. I am constantly learning new things about these deceptively "simple" little cars!

Lee

sorry about that it's been one of those days. i know what you mean if it looks like an easy job it probably isn't