Engine oil cooler- gs1100e 1982

[e23mike]

I am rebuilding a 1982 gs1100e and the bike has had an engine oil cooler added in front of the engine attached to where the horns attach. It has been added by drilling two holes in the filter cover ( one right/ one left) which attaches to the cooler above. First of all I don't know why the oil would circulate and secondly I want to get rid of it because it interferes with the engine cooling air flow. The new synthetic oils should be more than enough to keep the engine running properly. MY BIG QUESTION IS CAN I JUST PLUG THE 2 HOLES IN THE FILTER COVER WITHOUT INTERFERING WITH THE OIL FLOW??

[Nessism]

I'd buy a new cover.

[Rob S.]

When I bought my 1982 GS1100E in autumn of 2013, it was 8 months before I saw the need for an oil cooler. According to the gauge, oil temperature was frequently around 300 degrees. With the addition of an 1150 cooler (and a NOS 1150 filter cover), the needle rarely hit the 210 mark. My horns are mounted on the upper corners of the cooler for a 'Mickey Mouse' look.

As you can tell, the engine was designed to make adding an oil cooler plug & play. So take advantage of that. Keep the oil cooler.

And I would advise against using synthetic oil. It's thin nature will find leaks that wouldn't be an issue with regular oil.

I assume you're talking about the oil connections on each side near the bottom of the filter cover (there are no "holes" in the filter cover itself). Those can just be blocked off if you remove the cooler and install a stock filter cover.

[rphillips]

If that cooler was installed right, the 1100 cover was replaced with a cover from an 1150 or the 1100 cover was modified to direct the oil through the oil cooler. Not sure how that would affect things without a cooler installed. I'd suggest trying to find a OEM cover just to be sure. Plus you wouldn't have to fool with plugs in your cover.

[Nessism]

Not the first 1100E with fittings added to the cover. There are oil ports behind the cover, so, most likely, strategically placing the fittings to pick up the oil.

The Flying Banana has info on how the oil flows with a cooler. Unfortunately, that website's security certificate has expired, so most browsers throw a warning about the site. I clicked through regardless, but some may say it's risky.

One other thing, I've seen photos when guys put a metered plug into the engine oil galley just behind the cover, in order to force oil into a cooler. When pulling off the cover, I'd look close to make sure the engine hasn't been modded.

[e23mike]

Thank you all. I'll keep the cooler . I have already installed the horns for Mickey Mouse ears

[rphillips]

I wish I could advise on what to look for behind the filter cover to see if it was done right. The way I remember it if the cooler is installed and plumbed in, but without the mods very little or no oil goes thru it.. ,

[e23mike]

Rob S. I experienced the SLICK oil syndrome when racing hydroplanes. The old engine seals wouldn't hold the new synthetic oils. ----BUT---by adding one quart of regular oil the seals would hold. I'm a long way away from worrying about the oil however.- Ha