Oil Cooler Lines Replacement Costs: All the Details We Need to Know 

Oil cooler line replacement cost ranges from $225 to $253. The part itself costs about $118, while labor costs might range from $106 to $134. 

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The oil cooler lines do not exist in every vehicle. They are usually associated with turbocharged, supercharged, or larger old SUVs.

As these lines age, it is not surprising to deal with wear and tear damage due to vehicle vibration.

Replacing these lines is a must, especially if you noticed a significant drop in your vehicle's oil level or obvious signs of oil leaks under the vehicle.

It is very important as a driver to familiarize yourself with the repair costs associated with replacing oil cooler lines.

This article provides you with all the necessary details you need to know before replacing your vehicle's oil cooler lines. We will highlight these lines' main job, the main symptoms of a bad oil cooler line, the oil cooler line replacement cost, and how to replace your own vehicle's oil cooler line.  

What are the oil cooler lines, and what do they do? 

Oil cooler lines exist only in vehicles associated with supercharged or turbocharged engines. You will see them also in larger old SUVs.

These lines work like your radiator, where the coolant runs around the engine to drop its temperature down. They focus on reducing the oil's temperature to a proper level that does not damage the engine.

These lines allow the oil to reduce its temperature as it runs through these lines. The unique thing about these lines is that there always pressurized, making the oil flow properly and reduce its temperature at the right time.

The oil cooler lines carry very hot oil, and therefore, they are usually made of sturdy material like tough rubber or solid metal. The lines are always under high pressure when the vehicle is running. This pressure might also continue for the first couple of minutes as your vehicle's engine cools down.

Therefore, or any mechanic or any person who would like to replace these lines, the vehicle must be shut down and left for a good amount of time for this pressure to drop down, so it doesn't cause any hazards or injuries. 

Over time of use, these pressurized oil lines can get damaged as they carry pressurized hot oil. It is also recommended that you replace the oil cooler lines that you replace any fittings connected to them. If the oil cooler lines go bad in some scenarios, you might even need to replace the entire oil cooler itself.  

How much does it cost to replace oil cooler lines? 

To replace your vehicle's oil cooler lines, you need to pay between $225 and $253. The part itself costs about 118 dollars, while labor costs might range from $106 to $134. 

Some vehicles might require up to $400 depending on the complexity of the oil cooler lines and the severity of the problem.

The table below shows you the oil cooler line replacement caused by vehicles type: 

What are the main symptoms of about oil cooler line? 

Luckily, most auto components will tell you if they're going bad before they even do.

That's why there are very common symptoms of a bad oil cooler that you can keep an eye on.

It is recommended that once you notice any of these symptoms, you must get your vehicle inspected and repaired by a professional mechanic. Otherwise, you might introduce significant damages that could cost very high repair costs. 

• A noticeable drop in your vehicles oil level 

The first warning sign of a bad oil cooler line is a significant drop in your vehicle's oil level. It might start with a slow drop in your vehicle's oil, which requires you to top up this oil more than often.

Keep in mind that your vehicle requires a certain oil level to perform properly and prevent any friction between the internal metal components. Without this oil level, your vehicle will overheat, which could completely damage the engine.

Rather than spending thousands of dollars on replacing your vehicle's engine, you should get the oil cooler line replaced immediately.  

• Clear bends in the oil cooler hoses 

As we already mentioned, the oil cooler lines are made of sturdy material like strong metal or reinforced rubber.

It is not normal to see any of these hoses or lines bent or crimped. Any sign of wear or tear indicates that it's the right time now to replace the oil cooler hoses.

These lines do not last forever, and as your vehicle vibrates, it can introduce some damages to these lines. Thus, once you see any bend in the oil cooler hose, take your vehicle to a personal mechanic and have him get it replaced. 

• Puddles of oil under your vehicle 

If you realize that there are some oil puddles under your vehicle, then you are dealing with a serious problem. In some scenarios, you might not even have the time to drive this car to the nearest repair shop. Instead, you must have it towed to the mechanic.

A good practice here is to give your mechanic a call and describe or take a picture of the leak asking him whether you can drive this car or not. Sometimes when driving a vehicle with a bad oil leak, you can damage the entire engine quickly. 

Keep in mind that some of the mentions in terms might not always be associated with a bad one; many of them have problems with the cooling system itself. Thus, to confirm the culprit, you need to consult your professional mechanic and use certain tools to diagnose the vehicle and confirm the problem. 

How do you change an oil cooler line?

Many people decide to save on labor costs by learning how to change their vehicle's oil cooler line. It is a great decision only if you have the required mechanical skill sets.

It is known that most DIY's do not work the first time and when it comes to replacing a component within your vehicle that has to do with a sensitive part like the engine, you need to make sure that you're comfortable enough of replacing the parts before experiencing on your vehicle.

There are plenty of online tutorials that you can check out, which might be focused on your exact type.

This section will provide you with a general summary of step by step guidance on how to replace your vehicle's oil cooler line: 

• Prepare all necessary tools 

The first step in replacing your vehicle's oil cooler line is to prepare all necessary materials and tools. You will need a drain pan, hydraulic Jack, Jack stand, towels and rugs, screwdriver set, wheel chocks, wrench set, and socket set for this job. 

Having these toolsets handy next to you is very helpful, and the last thing you would want to do is stop or postpone your job because you don't have basic tools. 

Make sure to have your vehicle's Owner's manual close because you will refer to it a couple of times as you replace the color lines. 

• Get your vehicle ready 

Since you're going to be working under your vehicle, you need to have the vehicle jacked up to a certain level.

If you've never jacked your vehicle, you need to follow certain instructions and ensure that it's done properly to prevent any injuries.

Once the vehicle is raised, you can now use the wheel chocks to ensure that the car does not slip or move from its place. 

• Find the oil cooler lines 

Once your vehicle is ready and has all toolsets, you can refer to your vehicle's Owner's manual to check where to locate the oil cooler lines.

In general, you will find them in the front portion of your vehicle. They will typically be connected to the engine at some access point.

•  Remove the old oil cooler lines 

Before you attempt to remove the oil cooler lines, you need to keep in mind that these lines are filled with oil, pressuring in some situations.

Thus, make sure that your vehicle was cooled down properly and get an oil drain pan to collect any oil drips as you're taking out to the old oil cooler lines. The oil cooler lines are usually connected with some retaining hardware like bolts, nuts, clamps, etc. Thus, find your vehicle's specific retainers and make sure to remove them safely without breaking them. 

• Remove any access oil 

Immediately after you disconnect the oil cooler line, you will see some oil dripping out of it, as we mentioned earlier. Get your oil pan ready and collect any excess oil.

Automotive experts suggest that you point the oil cooler line downwards to clean up any messes in the line itself. 

• Ensure you've purchased the right cooler lines 

Before installing the new lines, it is recommended that you compare the old cooler lines to the nuances.

You can always refer to your vehicle's Owner's manual for detailed guidance about which lines to use. However, it won't hurt to compare the old ones to the new ones and make sure that you selected the right one.

• Install the new oil cooler lines 

Install the new oil cooler lines and connect them using the right seals. Connect them on both sides and make sure it's a tighten the retainers properly without over-tightening them. 

You should have good guidance on your vehicle’s Owner's manual about how much you need to tighten these retainers. 

Make sure to connect the oil cooler lines to both sides: the engine side and the cooler side.

Once you install the new oil cooler line, you can put back any components you took out as you are trying to reach these lines. 

• Put your vehicle down 

At this point, you've finished installing the new oil cooler lines, and everything should be good to go. You can go ahead and put down the vehicle slowly and safely without causing any injuries or damages to yourself.

• Confirm that you have proper oil level and test drive your vehicle

If you had a significant issue with your oil cooler lines, your vehicle's oil level might be very low. Thus, it is time now to top up any missing oil. 

Once you accomplish this step, you should be good to go and test drive your vehicle to ensure that the problem is not there anymore. 

Bottom line

Your vehicle's oil cooler line is an essential component responsible for transporting the hot oil around the oil cooler to reduce its temperature.

Any problem with these lines can result in significant engine issues. Some of these issues might be a clear drop in your vehicle's oil level, engine overheating, or probably engine damages.

You must get these lines replaced as soon as you notice any of the symptoms of a bad oil cooler line. 

If you notice that repair costs are piling up, especially if you're dealing with other problems than the oil cooler lines, we recommend that you sell your car to Cash Cars Buyer.

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