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Old 02-18-2021, 08:37 PM   #1
Mucho Maas
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Default Bad Idea To Block Off My Hood Scoop In Cold Weather?

The backstory is that the shop found a bunch of something water-like in my engine oil at a recent change (2009 WRX GH, 55k, stage 2). I confirmed that it's not coolant, and after some searching, found reports of this happening with AOSs in cold weather. I'm having my Crawford AOS (v2) and it's lines cleaned out, and I figure that and a couple of oil changes should flush out the bulk of the water.

I'd like to prevent recurrence, and am wondering about blocking off the hood scoop (at least partially), to get underhood temps up. I track the car occasionally in the summer, but it's my DD the rest of the year and I mostly drive like an old lady on the street. In the winter it makes lots of short trips (10 min to work) with zero boost.

I don't want to create other problems, and don't know what I don't know, so…
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Old 02-18-2021, 08:43 PM   #2
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maybe try a different AOS that has better design for the coolant lines...the IAG V3 looks like a good design
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Old 02-18-2021, 08:46 PM   #3
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yes it's a bad idea. Water in your oil is from not getting it up to temp and boiling the water off; too much short distance driving in the cold. We saw this a lot where I lived in Alaska. Don't lower your intercooler efficiency/raise intake air temp, go for a nice long drive more often and stay off boost until get your oil temp up. Or change your oil more often during the winter.
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Old 02-18-2021, 08:46 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by murrdogg24 View Post
maybe try a different AOS that has better design for the coolant lines...the IAG V3 looks like a good design
This is a good idea too.
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Old 02-18-2021, 09:16 PM   #5
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More frequent oil changes are doable, and the IAGv3 looks interesting; I like the idea that it retains PCV function. Will consider it for the spring.

Time is in short supply, so frequent "nice long drives" are not an option, though I can take the long way round to work. Although my commute is short, my oil does reach normal temp, but it's not there for all that long. I had the AOS installed in 2013 and this is the first time there's been an issue; guess I've been lucky.

So, even as a short-term stopgap...reducing air into the scoop is a no-no?
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Old 02-18-2021, 09:57 PM   #6
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If your drive to work is ten minutes there is no way in hell the oil comes up to temp


Not even in the summer

Not even if you let your car idle in the driveway for 39 minutes before your ten minute drive

It’s not happening
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Old 02-18-2021, 10:11 PM   #7
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its because you are driving too short of a distance
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Old 02-19-2021, 12:03 AM   #8
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Thanks for all the input people.

I was assuming my (stock) temp gauge moving to its usual position (about halfway) meant the oil was at temp. Sounds like that's wrong.
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Old 02-19-2021, 12:43 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mucho Maas View Post
Thanks for all the input people.

I was assuming my (stock) temp gauge moving to its usual position (about halfway) meant the oil was at temp. Sounds like that's wrong.
Yea needs a few more minutes after that for oil to reach temp as well.
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Old 02-19-2021, 07:33 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mucho Maas View Post

So, even as a short-term stopgap...reducing air into the scoop is a no-no?
blocking off your intercooler will do less than nothing for oil temps, that's why everybody is saying don't do it.
All you are going to do is end up with ultra hot intake air and potential detonation issues, it will not translate into quicker warm ups, or hotter oil or anything that is good.

If you want a real solution and you simply can't do good drives that get the engine hot then put a block heater in and/or an oil pan heater.
A block heater is simple to install and an oil pan heater is even simpler yet, you literally clean the pan bottom and stick a pad on it with adhesive, done.

Then at least you'll be starting from a better place with temps.
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Old 02-19-2021, 09:19 AM   #11
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Like Mike and other said it is because of short trips. I had a Crawford AOS on my built 04 sti and never had a issue. Do some research and you will find lots of threads regarding hoses and piping gunked up due to this issue.
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Old 02-19-2021, 09:32 AM   #12
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+1 On Block Heater

-1 On Blocking Hood Scoop
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Old 02-19-2021, 11:28 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by rtv900 View Post
blocking off your intercooler will do less than nothing for oil temps, that's why everybody is saying don't do it.
All you are going to do is end up with ultra hot intake air and potential detonation issues, it will not translate into quicker warm ups, or hotter oil or anything that is good.

If you want a real solution and you simply can't do good drives that get the engine hot then put a block heater in and/or an oil pan heater.
A block heater is simple to install and an oil pan heater is even simpler yet, you literally clean the pan bottom and stick a pad on it with adhesive, done.

Then at least you'll be starting from a better place with temps.
Great to get this explanation.

Based on searching before I posted, I guessed that the main problem was that the hoses to/from the AOS were getting cold. That would allow water vapor to freeze up on the way to, inside, or leaving the AOS. So if the goal is to keep that from happening, I thought reducing cold air flow over those hoses might help.

No desire to cause knock or other problems, so blocking the hood scoop is off the table. The oil pan heater idea seems simple and without any downsides - will definitely look into that. If anyone is interested, the best threads I had found related to this issue were these:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=2461224 and
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...ulating+my+aos
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Old 02-19-2021, 11:46 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mucho Maas View Post

I was assuming my (stock) temp gauge moving to its usual position (about halfway) meant the oil was at temp.
Not a chance. It takes a whole lot longer for the oil to come up to temp compared to the coolant.

I have an oil temp sender/gauge in my STi, and I have to admit I'm surprised how long it takes for the oil to reach "operating" temperature.
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Old 02-21-2021, 05:12 PM   #15
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With all the bearing issues I've seen in these engines over the 16+ years with turbo ej's, I would remove your AOS, go back to stock.

I also learned years ago, these engine's don't do well when only driven for short distances.
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Old 02-21-2021, 06:20 PM   #16
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I dunno why, but I had the impression that block heaters are a big deal to install and can cause other problems. A quick peek at You Tube showed me how trivial it is to put one in.

So the current plan is block heater and maybe an oil temp gauge. I expect that would mostly take care of this, since this was the first occurrence in 7 years and it took the combination of a pandemic and jet-stream anomaly to produce it.

If this combo becomes the norm, I may need to take additional measures. It's also made me wonder about switching to a cheap used EV (like a Nissan Leaf) for my winter commute and latest generation Miata for summer fun….
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Old 02-22-2021, 06:17 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grocery_GetterWRX View Post
+1 On Block Heater

-1 On Blocking Hood Scoop
What is your score for the category of Nachos?
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Old 02-26-2021, 07:55 AM   #18
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Originally Posted by Vancouver98STi View Post
Not a chance. It takes a whole lot longer for the oil to come up to temp compared to the coolant.

I have an oil temp sender/gauge in my STi, and I have to admit I'm surprised how long it takes for the oil to reach "operating" temperature.
Yeah. My 2015 WRX had a stock gauge, and I added one to my 2020 STI for the same reason; being able to see the actual oil temperature, and when it was actually up to temp, is huge. There is almost 0 correlation between coolant temp and oil temp; oil temp takes forever in comparison.

To the OP, you could just, ya know, drive it more too. I've been WFH for the last year, and just make a habit of taking all of my cars, including the wife's, on nice, warm-me-up drives during the winter. Get it up to temp, bang it through the rev limiter, actually get it driving and warmed up. Get the oil temp up to a nice 200+, etc etc. Plus, it's 'fun'.

Battery issues aside, just getting the damn cars moving is huge. Warm it up. Instead of a 10 minute drive home, make it a 30 minute one, and rev the bitch out a bit.
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Old 02-26-2021, 11:40 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vancouver98STi View Post
Not a chance. It takes a whole lot longer for the oil to come up to temp compared to the coolant.

I have an oil temp sender/gauge in my STi, and I have to admit I'm surprised how long it takes for the oil to reach "operating" temperature.
correct^

My STI doesn't have oil temp, but I have a dry sump car that does and the oil NEVER budges above the minimum value on the gauge (100F) until the coolant is 180+
And then it takes another solid 10-15 minutes before getting over 160
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Old 02-26-2021, 04:07 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hotdog View Post
Yeah. My 2015 WRX had a stock gauge, and I added one to my 2020 STI for the same reason; being able to see the actual oil temperature, and when it was actually up to temp, is huge. There is almost 0 correlation between coolant temp and oil temp; oil temp takes forever in comparison.

To the OP, you could just, ya know, drive it more too. I've been WFH for the last year, and just make a habit of taking all of my cars, including the wife's, on nice, warm-me-up drives during the winter. Get it up to temp, bang it through the rev limiter, actually get it driving and warmed up. Get the oil temp up to a nice 200+, etc etc. Plus, it's 'fun'.

Battery issues aside, just getting the damn cars moving is huge. Warm it up. Instead of a 10 minute drive home, make it a 30 minute one, and rev the bitch out a bit.
I've been doing some extra driving on my daily commutes, and want to add an oil temp gauge. Where did you install your sensor? I found a thread with lots of debating about the "best" place. The best place for me will be the simplest install, and I'm guessing that might be the oil gallery access port underneath the intercooler. I'd welcome any tips for specific hardware kits or install shortcuts.
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Old 02-26-2021, 04:50 PM   #21
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Lightbulb No idea if this is the "best" location...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mucho Maas View Post

...want to add an oil temp gauge. Where did you install your sensor?
On my '98 JDM Impreza STi, the aftermarket oil temperature sender/gauge was installed by the original owner in Japan. The sender is located in one of two ports that are available on the factory oil cooler.

Here's a shot I took (after I installed a later model oil pan and pickup) which shows the oil temperature sender location.


Last edited by Vancouver98STi; 02-26-2021 at 10:41 PM.
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Old 02-28-2021, 07:02 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mucho Maas View Post
I've been doing some extra driving on my daily commutes, and want to add an oil temp gauge. Where did you install your sensor? I found a thread with lots of debating about the "best" place. The best place for me will be the simplest install, and I'm guessing that might be the oil gallery access port underneath the intercooler. I'd welcome any tips for specific hardware kits or install shortcuts.
I added a Moroso oil pan, which had a specific NPT for a gauge, so I used that. Not 100% sure where the 'stock location' would be.
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Old 02-28-2021, 02:30 PM   #23
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So what constitutes a 'long drive'? 30 minutes? I remember reading about short trips not being good for these engines and was concerned my 15 min drive wasn't enough. I guess so...
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Old 02-28-2021, 04:12 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by a5m View Post
So what constitutes a 'long drive'? 30 minutes? I remember reading about short trips not being good for these engines and was concerned my 15 min drive wasn't enough. I guess so...
20/22minutes+ should be fine
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Old 03-01-2021, 02:12 AM   #25
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20/22minutes+ should be fine
Thanks (I think). Seemed sarcastic because that’s very specific lol but I think you’re being serious
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