Remove Oil Cooler assembly

1999 Suburban, can I remove the oil cooler assembly completely, and just run the oil filter?

1999 Suburban, can I remove the oil cooler assembly completely, and just run the oil filter?

I assume you mean you want to remove the bypass adapter which bolts to the engine and just use a spin-on oil filter there. I can speak only for my 1994 Suburban 5.7 liter, on which I have replaced the bypass adapter O-rings: Yes, one can do this. I believe that the front-mounted oil cooler was an option, part of the tow package. On mine, it's a simple cast assembly which has two lines which route to and back from the front oil cooler, and simply bolts onto the engine block (two 1/4 allen drive bolts on mine).

But I need to ask why? Is there a leak somewhere, or do you just feel that the engine is operating too cold (thermostat issue), or feel that you don't need that extra oil cooling in the Mid-west?

Yes it sounds like the same set up. The rubber lines are seeping in front and the part that bolts onto the engine has always been wet since it was new. Just thought it would be easier to eliminate it since we never do any serious towing and live up north.
Do you have the part number of the regular oil filter adapter?

Jeff

Do you have the part number of the regular oil filter adapter?

I'm not sure what you mean by this. I'm guessing (and just guessing) that once the bypass adapter is unscrewed then all that's needed is for the center "threaded cylinder" to be screwed in, then a filter. can that threaded part from the adapter be used there? Maybe; obviously its thread would fit the filter.

On a Nissan Frontier I installed a remote oil filter kit, very similar principle, and the adapter screwed on to where the filter had originally been.

Hopefully its that simple, if anyone has first hand experience with this, please chime in

Jeff

I think you need the entire oil filter adapter assembly or cap the current one you have where the hoses attach to the adapter. Personally I would get new hoses.