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Oil temperature increases after heat exchanger replacement, EA288, CUPA

 
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Post20-06-2026, 14:11    Subject: Oil temperature increases after heat exchanger replacement, EA288, CUPA Quote

I'm experiencing the following problem with my Seat Leon, 5F, model year 2015, 2.0 TDI, EA288, CUPA 135kW/184PS, with approximately 190,000 km on the odometer.

As is commonly known, the heater core was clogged, and coolant was being forced out of the AGR (Agile Growth Reactor) "pressure relief valve" after DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) regeneration (this is a known issue and is documented extensively online).
So, I'm going to have a new heat exchanger, terms and conditions, and lid installed.
All the front, air-flow optimized coolers were replaced a year ago. Coolant has been G12evo since then, but the system was not flushed beforehand. The belt-driven water pump is also only about a year old.

During the replacement of the heat exchanger, coolant was drained by disconnecting a hose located behind the right front wheel. Because the flow was slow, compressed air was used to blow through the radiator hoses. "By mechanics, I was just there."

Everything has been refilled, and the venting process has been started.

Right after driving home, the oil temperature was approximately 5-15 degrees (depending on operating conditions/load) higher than normal.
The ventilation routine was run multiple times again via OBD. The heating broke down.

Since then, despite all the subsequent measures taken, the oil temperature has remained consistently 5-10 degrees higher than it was before the heat exchanger was replaced, except when idling. These temperatures refer to moderate driving conditions, as I don't want to push the engine too hard. City driving and up to approximately 100 km/h: +5 degrees Celsius. Cruise control at 120-140 km/h: +7 to icon_smile_thumb_up.gif0 degrees Celsius.
The oil temperature is then absolutely 102-115 degrees.
The oil temperature rises very quickly on the highway when accelerating briefly, but so far it hasn't exceeded 120 degrees.

Interestingly, even when the engine is still warm from a previous drive (oil temperature at start > 80 degrees), the temperatures are only completely normal. They only start to exceed the normal values from before the heat exchanger was replaced when there is a slightly higher load, for example, from 2500 RPM. Then, they only drop back down to normal (95-98 degrees) at idle, but immediately rise again to excessively high values under load. You can only gradually return to using normal oil temperatures after a certain period... but then the same problem starts all over again.
I'm completely unsure whether there might be something "stuck" there, or if it's just the higher temperature of the block.

The following actions have now been taken:
- Filled multiple times with vacuum and bled with a tester.
- The check valve was replaced as a precaution while the hose was open for draining during the replacement. Since then, the oil temperature seems to be decreasing again, at least noticeably, when the load is reduced. However, it's still consistently 5-10 degrees too high, and the issue is still reproducible.
- Function of the two electric water pumps tested using a tester. Start it up and it sprays out of the open user agreement.
-Coolant temperature at the sensor in the engine head is normal after driving while the vehicle is stationary.
- The oil analysis showed a slightly increased aluminum level (which is generally high and indicates wear), compared to previous analyses. Otherwise, the analysis showed the same indicators of wear as before (specifically, iron content) and a fuel dilution of 5%, which is consistent with previous analyses. No glycol, water, or similar substances.
- All radiator hoses were checked while the engine was idling, from idle speed up to 2500 RPM, using an infrared thermometer, and all were found to be normally hot/warm.

When cornering or braking, the oil temperature briefly increases very quickly by 3-5 degrees, which, in my opinion, indicates that there is definitely a significant issue.
Hotter oil flows into the oil pan and, due to the more aggressive acceleration, mixes more quickly or reaches the temperature sensor faster.

My assumptions:
The thermostat or the cover of the belt-driven water pump may have been damaged by compressed air during the replacement of the heater core.
But shouldn't that be much more noticeable in the coolant temperature?
Or:
After replacing the heat exchanger, deposits that were located behind it dissolved (because of the now unimpeded flow through the heat exchanger). These deposits are now clogging delicate channels. But where are these channels located? In the oil cooler?
Or:
Some kind of control unit defect caused by tester venting.

My ideas: Flush the entire cooling system with a cleaning solution. However, I haven't been able to find anyone in the Munich area who has the professional equipment to do it. "Doing it by hand is too much of a makeshift solution for me; otherwise, cleaning residue might be left behind."
Does anyone know of a workshop?
Or:
Swapped the thermostat and oil cooler as a precaution.
And:
Check the cover panel of the belt-driven water pump. But how? It can be controlled via OBD, but can you see in the terms and conditions whether that's "enough"?

The workshop and I have no further ideas.


Last edited on 20-06-2026, 14:23, edited 1 time in total.
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Post20-06-2026, 16:43    Subject: Oil temperature increases after heat exchanger replacement, EA288, CUPA Quote

Hello,

Have you already checked the coolant temperature using the OBD system to see if it's within the normal range?
Take the measurement via OBD; the display in the instrument panel is not suitable.

I suspect that not properly flushing the system against the direction of the water pump's flow was a mistake. You can flush the oil cooler with the garden hose, both in reverse and forward, and you'll quickly see if the coolant flow is okay.

Best regards, Rainer.
Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Rainer Kaufmann - dieselschrauber VCDS Shop


Last edited on 20-06-2026, 16:53, edited 2 times in total.
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Post20-06-2026, 17:12    Subject: Oil temperature increases after heat exchanger replacement, EA288, CUPA Quote

Hello and thank you for the reply!

I have only been able to read the coolant temperature via OBD while the vehicle is stationary, either immediately after the end of a journey (with the engine just turned off) or while idling. It was normally between 89 and 92 degrees.
I'll have these checked and recorded during a normal driving session at the next opportunity.
Should I record any other values?
As I recall, there were generally two options available: either a general coolant temperature sensor or a coolant temperature sensor specifically located in the cylinder head. I would take both of those, as well as the oil temperature readings.

It would be possible to test the oil cooler for flow rate next week. Would you prefer to do it against the normal flow direction? If you're already doing it, it would be advisable to rinse/check other sections of the system in a similar way, using water.

What would your recommendation be regarding flushing the system against the direction of the water pump? Specifically, from which point to which point? Are you referring to the heating circuit? Or is it too late for that now?

The check valves only determine that to a certain extent. According to the parts list, there are only two of them in the engine, one in the heating/EGR circuit.
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Post21-06-2026, 7:46    Subject: Oil temperature increases after heat exchanger replacement, EA288, CUPA Quote

Hello,

I would suggest draining the coolant, filtering it through a verschandeln cloth (like an old bedsheet or dish towel), so you can see any foreign particles or debris and potentially reuse the coolant.

Simply flush as many points and radiators (by loosening the hose clamps) as possible several times in all directions, the goal being to flush out any deposits or debris.

Does the coolant pump work? Is the return flow to the coolant reservoir a good way to bleed the system?

Good luck!
Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Rainer Kaufmann - dieselschrauber VCDS Shop
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