I have to replace the oil cooler lines on my 89 6.2L suburban. One of them is leaking badly and making a big mess everywhere. I have been told that replacement lines are no longer available. Is this true? I am going to try to call some junk yards and see if I can find some used ones. Can I simply plug these lines at the block and just not have an oil cooler any more? Will plugging them cause any problems or must I loop it so the oil still flows through them? I know this is not the ideal solution but I really don't use the truck for much more than a passenger vehicle. I really don't think not having the oil cooler will make much difference.

Don't plug them off! Take your hoses off and cut off the crimps on both ends. Go to a reputable parts store and have them replace your hoses and crimps with A/C hose. Have done this several times before and it works great. The other way to do this would be to have a set of hydraulic hoses made up and and just buy the adapters to finish off the job.;)

Thanks for the advice, But I would still like to know how to bypass the oil cooler without reducing the oil flow to the engine. Does all the oil flow from the oil pump go through the oil cooler before being routed throughout the engine or is there a parallel route for the oil to go through the engine? If I plug the oil cooler lines will the engine be starved for oil? Must I shunt (loop) the ports to ensure the engine gets oil?

Do NOT by-pass the oil cooler! The increase in oil temperature will cause increased wear and shorter engine life. The oil temps on a diesel are considerably higher than a gas engine and require external cooling for reliability. The oil breaks down sooner due to the higher temperatures. Again, don't by-pass the cooler!

I would be very surprised if Chev doesn't have those two lines. They may to be ordered, but they should have them.

Do not by-pass or cut out your oil cooler. I installed an oil cooler in front of my radiator on my 1970 Chev C20 without a problem. I got a hydraulic hose shop to make the hose for me. I used a good share of the original aluminum tubes that went to the left side of the 6.2L. They crimped the hose on to the tubes and put fittings on the ends that fastened to the oil cooler. I had to do this since my 1970 did not have an oil cooler in the radiator. And the engine never over heated with the standard 2 row radiator in that truck!!!!:grd:

I just replaced mine with 2 new Hydrolic lines. I think $35 each. Take the old ones off and bring them to hydro hose shop, they can hook you up.

I'm not saying its right, but I took off the oil cooler and plugged the block 2 years ago.:uhoh2: