OE Cross-Reference (verify before ordering)
Confirm the OE number stamped on your existing cooler and cross-check fitment by engine variant and year before ordering — Volvo uses several superseding numbers across the D11/D13/D16 family.
| SUMEC Part | Representative OE | Application |
|---|
| BN-8113 | 20700516 (supersedes 20742946) | D13/D16, FH/FM |
| BN-8171 | 22439157 | D11/D13 |
| BN-8199 | 20810985 | D13A/D13C |
For other Volvo oil-cooler OE numbers (11110220, 20749399, 21359570, 8170816 and more), use the OE lookup to find the matching SUMEC part. Always verify the OE number against your engine before purchase.
Step-by-Step Replacement Procedure
1. Prepare the vehicle
Park on level ground, allow the engine to cool fully, and disconnect the battery negative terminal. Working on a hot cooling system risks burns and inaccurate fluid levels.
2. Drain coolant and oil
Drain the engine coolant into a clean pan (it can be reused only if clean and uncontaminated). Drain the engine oil — if the oil is milky or the coolant is oily, both circuits are contaminated and must be fully flushed.
3. Access and remove the oil cooler
Remove the components obstructing access to the cooler housing (typically on the side of the block). Disconnect the coolant lines and unbolt the oil cooler / cooler housing. Note the orientation and gasket positions before removal.
4. Clean the mating surfaces
Thoroughly clean the housing and block mating surfaces of all old gasket material and debris. Any residue here causes a repeat leak. Inspect the housing for warping or cracks.
5. Install the new cooler
Fit the new oil cooler with new gaskets and O-rings. Tighten fasteners evenly in the correct sequence to the manufacturer's specified torque using a calibrated torque wrench — do not overtighten.
6. Refill and bleed
Refill with fresh oil and a new filter, and refill the cooling system with the correct coolant. Bleed the cooling system per Volvo procedure to remove air pockets, which otherwise cause hot spots and false overheating.
7. Flush if cross-contaminated
If oil and coolant had mixed, flush both circuits completely before returning the truck to service — residual contaminated fluid will damage bearings (oil side) or the cooling system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Volvo D13 oil cooler be repaired instead of replaced?
No. An internally cracked or perforated oil cooler cannot be reliably repaired and must be replaced. External cleaning of coolant passages does not fix an internal oil-to-coolant leak.
Do I need to flush the engine when replacing the oil cooler?
If oil and coolant had cross-contaminated (milky oil or oily coolant), yes — flush both circuits completely before returning to service. Residual contaminated fluid damages bearings on the oil side and fouls the cooling system.
How do I find the right OE number for my Volvo oil cooler?
Confirm the OE number stamped on your existing cooler and cross-check fitment by engine variant (D11/D13/D16) and year. Volvo uses several superseding numbers, so verify against your engine rather than relying on the model name alone.
Should I replace gaskets and seals when fitting a new oil cooler?
Always. Reusing old gaskets or O-rings is a common cause of repeat leaks. Use a full new seal set and clean all mating surfaces of old gasket material before installing the new cooler.
What coolant and torque should I use?
Use the correct Volvo-specification coolant and tighten fasteners evenly in sequence to the manufacturer's specified torque with a calibrated wrench. Bleed the cooling system afterward to remove air pockets.
Overview: Volvo D13/D16 Oil Cooler Replacement
The oil cooler on the Volvo D13 and D16 engines is a liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger that transfers heat from the engine oil into the coolant circuit. When it develops an internal crack it cross-contaminates oil and coolant; when a gasket or housing fails it leaks externally. Once failure is confirmed (see our Volvo D13 oil cooler failure diagnosis guide), the cooler must be replaced — it cannot be reliably repaired. This guide covers the replacement procedure for FH/FM/FMX trucks with the D13/D13TC/D13K and D16 engines.
OE Cross-Reference (verify before ordering)
Confirm the OE number stamped on your existing cooler and cross-check fitment by engine variant and year before ordering — Volvo uses several superseding numbers across the D11/D13/D16 family.
| SUMEC Part | Representative OE | Application |
|---|
| BN-8113 | 20700516 (supersedes 20742946) | D13/D16, FH/FM |
| BN-8171 | 22439157 | D11/D13 |
| BN-8199 | 20810985 | D13A/D13C |
For other Volvo oil-cooler OE numbers (11110220, 20749399, 21359570, 8170816 and more), use the OE lookup to find the matching SUMEC part. Always verify the OE number against your engine before purchase.
Tools and Parts Required
- New oil cooler and a full gasket/seal set (do not reuse old seals)
- Fresh engine oil and filter, and the correct Volvo-spec coolant
- Drain pans for both oil and coolant, torque wrench, standard metric sockets
- Cooling-system pressure tester (for post-install verification)
Step-by-Step Replacement Procedure
1. Prepare the vehicle
Park on level ground, allow the engine to cool fully, and disconnect the battery negative terminal. Working on a hot cooling system risks burns and inaccurate fluid levels.
2. Drain coolant and oil
Drain the engine coolant into a clean pan (it can be reused only if clean and uncontaminated). Drain the engine oil — if the oil is milky or the coolant is oily, both circuits are contaminated and must be fully flushed.
3. Access and remove the oil cooler
Remove the components obstructing access to the cooler housing (typically on the side of the block). Disconnect the coolant lines and unbolt the oil cooler / cooler housing. Note the orientation and gasket positions before removal.
4. Clean the mating surfaces
Thoroughly clean the housing and block mating surfaces of all old gasket material and debris. Any residue here causes a repeat leak. Inspect the housing for warping or cracks.
5. Install the new cooler
Fit the new oil cooler with new gaskets and O-rings. Tighten fasteners evenly in the correct sequence to the manufacturer's specified torque using a calibrated torque wrench — do not overtighten.
6. Refill and bleed
Refill with fresh oil and a new filter, and refill the cooling system with the correct coolant. Bleed the cooling system per Volvo procedure to remove air pockets, which otherwise cause hot spots and false overheating.
7. Flush if cross-contaminated
If oil and coolant had mixed, flush both circuits completely before returning the truck to service — residual contaminated fluid will damage bearings (oil side) or the cooling system.
Post-Repair Verification
- Run the engine to operating temperature and re-check oil and coolant levels.
- Pressure-test the cooling system and confirm it holds pressure (no internal cross-leak).
- Inspect for external leaks at the cooler and lines.
- Re-check the dipstick and coolant reservoir after a short road test to confirm no further cross-contamination.
Why a Quality Replacement Matters
A correctly specified oil cooler restores proper oil temperature control and protects bearings and the cooling system. SUMEC Volvo oil coolers are built to OE dimensions in 304 stainless steel, pressure-tested at 45 PSI before shipment, and backed by a 1-year warranty. Verify the OE cross-reference for your engine before ordering.