89 burb engine oil cooler

[dustysdaddy]

I just went to change the oil on my 89 GMC burb SLE and discovered she's gotta engine oil cooler with lines coming off the block above the filter. Does this means I need more oil than a standard five quart V-8 ? It's a 350 with TBI and 67,000 original miles.

[screwballl]

usually that just adds at most 1-2 quarts but make sure you get the old stuff out of there of course

[dustysdaddy]

Since the cooler and lines are mounted above the filter, when I remove the filter will it drain on its own? Or do I need to disconnect the lines and drain them?

[skillet]

I have the same year suburban with oil cooler. The Chilton's manual(1988-96) says, "If the engine is equipped with an oil cooler, this will also have to be drained, using the drain plug. Be sure to add enough oil to fill the cooler in addition to the engine." I assume they're talking about the oil pan drain plug. I've never added any extra oil though, just the normal 5 quarts. But, you're question makes me wonder if I have been doing it right. I bought it with 114K and it now has 163K. At least it has seemed to have worked for the last 49K miles with no problems and it still runs great, even after a trip to Utah over some pretty steep mountains and back to Texas.

[u2slow]

You could loosen one line... maybe easier near the radiator end... and blow it out with compressed air.

[Bob Gervais]

I never drain mine, unless it drains along with the filter. Makes sense that since it is higher than the filter, it would drain into it. Maybe I'm doing it wrong as well though. Truck still runs flawlessly at 170k, I'm really not that concerned about it.