Auxiliary oil cooling
What does Dave’s oil cooler add to a Sprinter?
A loaded camper can spend much longer under sustained load on a climb than it does around town. An auxiliary oil cooler adds an air-to-oil heat exchanger to the engine oil circuit. Oil passes through the external cooler and returns to the engine, while air flowing across the fins carries heat away.
Dave’s Auto Center lists a dual-pass, bar-and-plate cooler for the Sprinter 3.0L V6 diesel, with a base configuration and an option with fans. The installation shown here has a fan behind the grille. Fan-assisted airflow can be useful when road speed is low. The right configuration depends on the van and how it is driven. See Dave’s kit specifications and fitment table.
Fitment
Will Dave’s oil cooler fit your Sprinter?
The kit covered here is for compatible Sprinters with the 3.0L OM642 V6 diesel. Model year alone is an unreliable way to identify the engine because Sprinter powertrains vary. Have us confirm your VIN and the kit version before ordering parts or booking the installation.
We also need to know about changes behind the grille. Aftermarket bumpers, winches, lights and other hardware can change the available mounting space and airflow. If you already own a kit, send the part number and tell us whether it includes fans.
From the workshop
What matters during installation
- Check the starting condition. Discuss when the van runs hot and look for existing leaks or cooling faults before adding parts.
- Check mounting and line routing. Plan cooler position and line clearance around moving parts, hot surfaces and sharp edges. The mounting must also account for vibration and access for future service.
- Verify the system after fitting. Confirm oil level using the vehicle procedure and check fittings for leaks once the engine is warm. With a fan-equipped setup, verify the fan control and inspect the wiring before closing up.
Before replacing parts
When should you diagnose the van first?
Engine oil temperature and coolant temperature tell you different things. A coolant warning, a sudden loss of power or oil under the van calls for diagnosis. The additional cooler is intended to help manage oil heat under load. Leaking factory oil cooler seals, a fault in the coolant circuit and a stored engine fault each need their own assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Does this Dave’s kit fit every diesel Sprinter?
Dave’s lists this kit for the 3.0L OM642 V6. Send us your model year and VIN so we can confirm the engine and check the kit revision and front-end clearance for your van.
Will an auxiliary cooler fix an oil cooler seal leak?
A leak at the factory oil cooler or elsewhere in the engine needs its own repair. Have the source identified first so you can decide whether an auxiliary cooler is worth adding after the leak is resolved.
Is the fan included in every kit?
Dave’s lists a base option and an option with fans. The installation photos show a fan behind the grille. Ask which configuration is appropriate for your van and confirm what is included in the estimate.
How much will my oil temperature drop?
There is no single figure for every van. Load, grade, ambient temperature, airflow and the condition of the existing cooling system all affect the result. Comparable before-and-after data is more useful than a universal estimate.