Hey guys I have an 04 mcs. I need to replace my Heat Exchanger attached to the oil filter Housing. Would like To know the best way to access the 3 bolts that attach it to the block. Thanks in Advance!

 

Anyone it would be greatly appreciated

 

Pop out the passenger's side axle and you'll have better access to it. Some specialty tools are needed.

 

Thanks is there anyway to remove it without pulling the axles?

 

I just did this yesterday without removing the axle and it was one of the hardest things i have done on the car from an access point of view. Probably would be faster to remove the axle if you can easily pop the ball joints.

I removed the coolant bottle, bent up the upper heat shield, unbolted the next shield, pushed it down and back, because it won't come out. there are two screws holding the next heat shield, one you can not see over the curve of the shield to the right (looking from the top). Need a 10mm ratcheting wrench. The shield is also held with pins that it slides off of on the driver side, after the screws are out. One you can see from the top and the other from the bottom. remove the PS fan below. Then the top bolt of the oil filter housing is accessible from the top. bottom bolt from the bottom and the middle bold from the side (can't see it, only feel) they are all 13mm. I also removed the PS hose "U" turn from the bracket to give more room.

I did not remove the coolant hoses from the heat exchanger and it flopped around in the way. but did unscrew the whole exchanger from the oil filter housing, be ready to catch about a cup of oil. Maybe removing the lower motor mount and pivoting the engine forward some will improve access.... Get the triangle shaped gasket and the two O-rings for the exchanger.
This was a real PITA.

 

Just re-read your original post...If you only need to replace the heat exchanger then it has four T-30 torx screws into the oil filter housing. Not hard. I needed to replace the oil filter housing to block triangle shaped rubber gasket...which what i described above. Every rubber seal on this car has gone stiff and leaks. the only one i have not replaced is the camshaft position sensor.

 

Funny, awhile back, I installed a Sneed Oil Cooler with the pancake adapter that replaces the heat exchanger and I had no problem accessing it. I guess the Good Lord looks out after dumb animals!

 

Thanks a lot guys going to have a mechanic friend of mine come over tomorrow morning. Going to leave the oil filter housing alone lol. Just going to change the oil cooler and 2 o rings. DHOGAN how did you remove the 4th torx screw behind the timing cover?

 

I used a 6in. extension on a 1/4 in ratchet for all 4 screws, maybe i added another extension for that one all the way on the right you can barely see.

 

Thanks man I got! It's finally out and changed. Thanks for all the support and help everyone!