CSF oil cooler problem (has anyone actually DIYed one?)

[DavidZ]

The original problem I had has been resolved. Ravi at CSF has been great. Unfortunately, I still haven't been able to install it on my car. I've had 3 separate oil coolers so far and none of them line up with the mounting holes on the car. I got the CSF radiator, power steering and transmission coolers installed no problem (well a bit of plastic trimming with the PS cooler) but this oil cooler just will not fit. I'll spare further details for now because Ravi/CSF has been so great, but I have one simple question:

Has anyone here actually installed a CSF oil cooler themselves without any modification to the cooler or the car (i.e. a simple DIY bolt-on install)?

[nholmes]

TLDR:

Did you order the correct one for your car? There are two different versions depending on the production year of your vehicle.

[Hujan]

Originally Posted by nholmes

TLDR:

Did you order the correct one for your car? There are two different versions depending on the production year of your vehicle.

[cenix]

Hope you get your oil cooler issue resolved. As far as Vivid Racing, I've heard they were quite poor with customer service and then I experienced it for myself. They have multiple websites that sell similar parts that all link back to their main business, something to keep in mind.

[MVEED3]

OP,

Sorry to hear about your troubles but thanks for sharing.

Vivid had about $1k of my funds tied up for over 2 months on a back-ordered part. It took some serious work to get a refund but my time was lost forever. Never again.

[admranger]

Two words when things like this happen: "disputed charge"

Call your credit card company and open a disputed charge on this transaction. Tell them the amount of the dispute (the oil cooler cost plus any shipping charges) and send them the pics you posted here (maybe link the thread).

This is why I always use AMEX when making an online purchase. They are the best at protecting the consumer.

[burnrbr]

I mostly hear bads things about Vivid racing on other car forums. Bimmerworld took back my CSF powersteering cooler that didn't fit. All they needed was a few pictures showing the issue. They quickly sent me a return shipping label and a full refund.

[nholmes]

vividracing

Let's stir some drama up in this piece!

[CIFUM3]

Originally Posted by nholmes

TLDR:

Did you order the correct one for your car? There are two different versions depending on the production year of your vehicle.

Yeah, what this guy said^^ if yours is older than you actually need to buy new hoses and some fittings for it to work.

Plus I'm pretty sure vividracing is the most expensive vendor I've seen, I shop multiple websites for one part and now I just don't bother with vivid

[DavidZ]

Originally Posted by nholmes

TLDR:

Did you order the correct one for your car? There are two different versions depending on the production year of your vehicle.

That's the first I've ever heard of it, but doing a little research, I found "BMW superseded the two oil lines on E9X M3s built around and prior to 03/08, and CSF oil coolers require the use of the current-spec BMW oil lines." Mine's a 2011.5 so no issue there, plus digital calipers show the IDs of the inputs are different sizes (21.61 mm vs. 22.15 mm) - that'd be pretty weird if BMW had different sized inputs on each side. One of the inputs is simply bored too small but CSF keeps asking for more pictures, as if pictures could show a 0.5 mm defect.


To the rest, thanks for the replies, advice and support. Vivid actually had by far the best prices when shopped around on the CSF and Brembo GT 380/380 packages - I guess they were desperate for the business.

[nholmes]

That seems odd. Maybe just a manufacturing defect.

[BPMSport]

The oil cooler lines on the early 08 models are different and the CSF cooler doesn't fit those lines. I think it was 4/08 when the new lines were put into production which this cooler will fit. I can't see what year your car is on mobile, but this is what happened to me when I tried to fit the cooler to my 12/07 build.. It was a no go and had to put back the stock cooler.

I wound up replacing the lines and the cooler with the newer version. Not sure if this is what you're running into here but hope this helps. The pictures and explanation you posted make sense to me.

[jwzimm]

Is no one else seeing that the port in question on the side of the cooler is out of round? It looks like the cooler got dropped on that port and put a flat spot in it. See photo with area circled.

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by jwzimm

Is no one else seeing that the port in question on the side of the cooler is out of round? It looks like the cooler got dropped on that port and put a flat spot in it. See photo with area circled.

Bingo. It just got dropped at some point. It's not the issue of outdated lines because one side clearly fits just fine- the issue is only on one connection.

Hopefully CSF will stop being tools and just take it back and repair/replace it.

[BzsBimmer]

If it was dropped and resulted in it being out of round, they might have an issue getting a refund or warranty. It looks like it was done post manufacturing and who knows if it was due to Vivid, UPS, or the buyer.

Good luck regardless. Sucks when things like this happen. You might want to talk to a machine shop to see if they can bore it out back to round if Vivid or CSF won't help.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

You might want to talk to a machine shop to see if they can bore it out back to round.

That'd be the fastest thing to do, assuming you have a good machine shop near you. Heck, you *could* figure out the correct drill size and do it yourself, but that'd be risky even if you had a drill press (doesn't everyone have a drill press, or is it only me?).

[DavidZ]

Originally Posted by jwzimm

Is no one else seeing that the port in question on the side of the cooler is out of round? It looks like the cooler got dropped on that port and put a flat spot in it. See photo with area circled.

Good looking out. I did notice the side looked oddly flat on the outside in that area but never thought that it might have been dropped our out of round as there's no other indication that the cooler had ever been dropped - it's otherwise in pristine condition. But I guess you're right.

Originally Posted by admranger

That'd be the fastest thing to do, assuming you have a good machine shop near you. Heck, you *could* figure out the correct drill size and do it yourself, but that'd be risky even if you had a drill press (doesn't everyone have a drill press, or is it only me?).

I thought about that but was paranoid about getting metal shavings in the oil system.

Anyways, I finally contacted CSF directly and they're sending me a replacement. I would have done this earlier but I thought Vivid was doing that...
So it seems CSF is a standup company. Will update or delete thread when resolved. Thanks all.

[jwzimm]

Originally Posted by DavidZ

Good looking out. I did notice the side looked oddly flat on the outside in that area but never thought that it might have been dropped our out of round as there's no other indication that the cooler had ever been dropped - it's otherwise in pristine condition. But I guess you're right.

I thought about that but was paranoid about getting metal shavings in the oil system.

Anyways, I finally contacted CSF directly and they're sending me a replacement. I would have done this earlier but I thought Vivid was doing that...
So it seems CSF is a standup company. Will update or delete thread when resolved. Thanks all.

Yeah, don't try and machine it yourself. Those port handle high pressure engine oil and need to be precisely machined or it will most certainly leak. This kind of work can only be done on a mill.

One way to confirm is to measure the ID of the port at several clocking angles. I bet it will measure nominal when you are at 90 degrees to the flat spot.

Glad you are getting a replacement.

[nholmes]

Originally Posted by jwzimm

Glad you are getting a replacement.

+1

[SYT_Shadow]

What ridiculous customer service. That back and forth you posted could drive anyone crazy

Shame on Vivid Racing for the situation.

I deal with BW for race parts and when something is wrong I expect them, as the vendor, to help me out instead of contacting the manufacturer. So far their customer service has been excellent

[Hujan]

Glad you got it sorted, OP. Hopefully the second attempt goes smoothly.

[DavidZ]

The original problem I had has been resolved. Ravi at CSF has been great. Unfortunately, I still haven't been able to install it on my car. I've had 3 separate oil coolers so far and none of them line up with the mounting holes on the car. I got the CSF radiator, power steering and transmission coolers installed no problem (well a bit of plastic trimming with the PS cooler) but this oil cooler just will not fit. I'll spare further details for now because Ravi/CSF has been so great, but I have one simple question:

Has anyone here actually installed a CSF oil cooler themselves without any modification to the cooler or the car (i.e. a simple DIY bolt-on install)?