Hi All,
My name is Graeme, I live in Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia.
I noticed a post from
@Andre some years ago about Cool Experts Race Oil Coolers for the 14.
My oil cooler failed recently (usual cracked oil line connection point), so I ordered and received one of these Race Coolers, thinking that it would do a better cooling job than the standard sized one. (at significant expense given the shipping to Aus and tax etc etc)
Their coolers are supposed to be a direct replacement for the original, however I have run into a number of issues now preventing installation (listed below).
I was wondering if you Andre, or anyone has fitted one of these, and if you might have any info of advice on mods required. I am not getting any sensible support from Cool Experts as yet (they just keep saying they have fitted these many times with no problems...). I'm getting to the point that I might have to return it, but that will incur more cost and is not my favoured option - yet.
I have tried to mount the cooler and found a number of issues:
1. If I mount the cooler and fan using the original grommets at the top flange, the cooler is too far forward and is impacted by the fork leg on full right or left turn.
2. The only way I can get the cooler to fit behind the forks with clearance is with no grommets (ie: screwed directly to the frame points at the top flange), but I am concerned the fan and / or cooler will eventually be damaged by vibration etc.
3. The bottom flange on the cooler for the fan leg and pin is too short (see photos), so the fan leg wont locate in the hole where the grommet goes. If I force it I will damage the core. I could modify the fan leg and pin to fit, or mount the fan bottom leg against the bike frame behind instead, but given the above issues, there may be no point.
Any info or advice anyone can give me would be much appreciated.
I have attached a couple of photos of the fan leg flange problem (as sent to Cool Experts), but don't have any yet of the top mount issues (although these are pretty self explanatory - won't fit behind the forks with the grommets in place).
Thanks in advance and cheers Graeme
Yep that is definitely too short, good pic's show that exactly. Wonder if they've sent you the right component?
Just re-read you post, if the top is too far forward & the bottom is too short, it upsidedown? Positioning it the other way would bring the top inward yeah? Wonder is the hoses fit different on this cooler to the std cooler?
Ask them if they have a pic of the fitted cooler, that should give you some ideas.
As Col said - too short.
Sorry, I can't help you with with own experience with the race cooler as I have the smaller (standard replacement) one from them. There were no problems with installation at all.
Maybe useful for some here:
I modified the top-brace that obscures some of the fan by cutting it out a bit.
The paint was not great. Maybe it needed to be baked but I put a coat of brake caliper paint on it and treated it in the oven.
The length of the cooler is a bit less than the original. I had to shim it (used the standard side covers) for my cooler cover to fit.
Cooling wise it's maybe slighlty less (for me preferable).
G'day Watgra,
about your point 1 and 2, it seems that it is actually specified on coolex website for this very cooler that: "only require minor modification with the top bracket removing some of the depth of rubber bush".
As this cooler is thicker than the OEM one, and considering the tight space in this area, that makes sense that the top spacers may need to be shortened -- or use regular shorter ones designed for 'single' grommets -- and then use only one of the grommets pairs on each side. If you want to fit the 'half-moon' fan grille, you may fit it directly at the front of the top cooler bracket.
About 3 (the fan): I too have fitted a "race" cooler, also thicker, and smaller in overall size, although it has more 'elements'. It is from HEL (actually from Mocal) and supposedly more efficient than the OEM one -- as the race Coolex one you have, I suppose.
OEM fan obviously doesn't fit, so... I've not even tried to fit it :-)
And that's never been an issue. And I live in the south of France, where it can get hot in the summer, as I can say I ride in a "demanding way" on the local mountain roads.
When I had a the OEM cooler and fan, I've never heard the fan kicking in anyway...
Will you even need a fan with that cooling monster? The fan for my cooler (oem and the standard from cooler experts) never came/comes on; but then I don't live in AUS. Without the fan you could shorten the grommets. Wouldn't use without grommets.
Found someone on German forum who put this cooler in. Unfortunately he hasn't been on the forum for 4 years, so I can't ask him. He didn't go much into detail.
Anyhow, the too-short flange is a no-go.
Quote from: KiwiCol on Friday, 16 May 2025, 06:53 PMYep that is definitely too short, good pic's show that exactly. Wonder if they've sent you the right component?
Just re-read you post, if the top is too far forward & the bottom is too short, it upsidedown? Positioning it the other way would bring the top inward yeah? Wonder is the hoses fit different on this cooler to the std cooler?
Ask them if they have a pic of the fitted cooler, that should give you some ideas.
Hey Col, yep the cooler is the same width top and bottom, and the flanges are made to fit only one way. Std hoses fit this model and the standard cooler. cheers G
Quote from: KiwiCol on Friday, 16 May 2025, 06:53 PMYep that is definitely too short, good pic's show that exactly. Wonder if they've sent you the right component?
Just re-read you post, if the top is too far forward & the bottom is too short, it upsidedown? Positioning it the other way would bring the top inward yeah? Wonder is the hoses fit different on this cooler to the std cooler?
Ask them if they have a pic of the fitted cooler, that should give you some ideas.
Hey Col, yep the cooler is the same width top and bottom, and the flanges are made to fit only one way. Std hoses fit this model and the standard cooler. cheers G
Quote from: Andre on Friday, 16 May 2025, 09:19 PMAs Col said - too short.
Sorry, I can't help you with with own experience with the race cooler as I have the smaller (standard replacement) one from them. There were no problems with installation at all.
Maybe useful for some here:
I modified the top-brace that obscures some of the fan by cutting it out a bit.
The paint was not great. Maybe it needed to be baked but I put a coat of brake caliper paint on it and treated it in the oven.
The length of the cooler is a bit less than the original. I had to shim it (used the standard side covers) for my cooler cover to fit.
Cooling wise it's maybe slighlty less (for me preferable).
Thanks for the good info Andre, going back to their standard cooler may be the only solution. Good to know it just works if I have to go there eventually. Will also consider drilling out the top flange for more air flow, though I am surprised its not already like that. Cheers G
Quote from: KiwiCol on Friday, 16 May 2025, 06:53 PMYep that is definitely too short, good pic's show that exactly. Wonder if they've sent you the right component?
Just re-read you post, if the top is too far forward & the bottom is too short, it upsidedown? Positioning it the other way would bring the top inward yeah? Wonder is the hoses fit different on this cooler to the std cooler?
Ask them if they have a pic of the fitted cooler, that should give you some ideas.
Hey Col, yep the cooler is the same width top and bottom, and the flanges are made to fit only one way. Std hoses fit this model and the standard cooler. cheers G
Quote from: Andre on Friday, 16 May 2025, 09:19 PMAs Col said - too short.
Sorry, I can't help you with with own experience with the race cooler as I have the smaller (standard replacement) one from them. There were no problems with installation at all.
Maybe useful for some here:
I modified the top-brace that obscures some of the fan by cutting it out a bit.
The paint was not great. Maybe it needed to be baked but I put a coat of brake caliper paint on it and treated it in the oven.
The length of the cooler is a bit less than the original. I had to shim it (used the standard side covers) for my cooler cover to fit.
Cooling wise it's maybe slighlty less (for me preferable).
Thanks for the good
Quote from: SpongeBob on Saturday, 17 May 2025, 01:26 AMG'day Watgra,
about your point 1 and 2, it seems that it is actually specified on coolex website for this very cooler that: "only require minor modification with the top bracket removing some of the depth of rubber bush".
As this cooler is thicker than the OEM one, and considering the tight space in this area, that makes sense that the top spacers may need to be shortened -- or use regular shorter ones designed for 'single' grommets -- and then use only one of the grommets pairs on each side. If you want to fit the 'half-moon' fan grille, you may fit it directly at the front of the top cooler bracket.
About 3 (the fan): I too have fitted a "race" cooler, also thicker, and smaller in overall size, although it has more 'elements'. It is from HEL (actually from Mocal) and supposedly more efficient than the OEM one -- as the race Coolex one you have, I suppose.
OEM fan obviously doesn't fit, so... I've not even tried to fit it :-)
And that's never been an issue. And I live in the south of France, where it can get hot in the summer, as I can say I ride in a "demanding way" on the local mountain roads.
When I had a the OEM cooler and fan, I've never heard the fan kicking in anyway...
Quote from: Andre on Saturday, 17 May 2025, 01:31 AMWill you even need a fan with that cooling monster? The fan for my cooler (oem and the standard from cooler experts) never came/comes on; but then I don't live in AUS. Without the fan you could shorten the grommets. Wouldn't use without grommets.
Found someone on German forum who put this cooler in. Unfortunately he hasn't been on the forum for 4 years, so I can't ask him. He didn't go much into detail.
Anyhow, the too-short flange is a no-go.
Quote from: SpongeBob on Saturday, 17 May 2025, 01:26 AMG'day Watgra,
about your point 1 and 2, it seems that it is actually specified on coolex website for this very cooler that: "only require minor modification with the top bracket removing some of the depth of rubber bush".
As this cooler is thicker than the OEM one, and considering the tight space in this area, that makes sense that the top spacers may need to be shortened -- or use regular shorter ones designed for 'single' grommets -- and then use only one of the grommets pairs on each side. If you want to fit the 'half-moon' fan grille, you may fit it directly at the front of the top cooler bracket.
About 3 (the fan): I too have fitted a "race" cooler, also thicker, and smaller in overall size, although it has more 'elements'. It is from HEL (actually from Mocal) and supposedly more efficient than the OEM one -- as the race Coolex one you have, I suppose.
OEM fan obviously doesn't fit, so... I've not even tried to fit it :-)
And that's never been an issue. And I live in the south of France, where it can get hot in the summer, as I can say I ride in a "demanding way" on the local mountain roads.
When I had a the OEM cooler and fan, I've never heard the fan kicking in anyway...
Thanks for your response and info Spongebob, I have tried fitting the cooler with no fan and therefore only 1 set of grommets rather than 2 on each side, but the forks still tap the cooler on full steering extension either way. Cutting off one side off the single grommets might work,but none of this solves the fan installation issue unfortunately. It can get pretty hot here in summer, and sitting in traffic in 40+ degrees C with no fan might not be the best idea. Not sure what the kick in temp for the fan is. Cheers G
Quote from: Andre on Saturday, 17 May 2025, 01:31 AMWill you even need a fan with that cooling monster? The fan for my cooler (oem and the standard from cooler experts) never came/comes on; but then I don't live in AUS. Without the fan you could shorten the grommets. Wouldn't use without grommets.
Found someone on German forum who put this cooler in. Unfortunately he hasn't been on the forum for 4 years, so I can't ask him. He didn't go much into detail.
Anyhow, the too-short flange is a no-go.
Thanks Andre, nervous about no fan in the summer heat here. Cheers G
Thanks all for your rapid replies! Very helpful. Dont think i've mastered the responses to each reply though, sorry about that. Seems to work in mysterious ways.....G
Graeme,no fan ?? No idea if mines ever been on, not sure how id tell.Our Summers in SE Qld get pretty warm, have ridden in over 40c, always runs amazingly cool.There are lots of cooling fans available, maybe look for a more compact to adapt.
Hi Grae
My two cents worth I had an oil cooler fail and was fortunate enough to get one from a dealer who'd changed it out for an aftermarket one.
In 24 years of ownership living in South East Queensland and travelling in the hottest 🥵🥵of summers I've never heard my fan go on. 😎
Agree with that, here in WA, hottest days and "spirited" riding, fan does not come on, std cooler (22yo). I'd do the single grommet idea. Is there any way to modify the bottom lugs? Surely a welding shop could TIG weld two matching brackets onto these for you? Cooler looks trick in my opinion.
Graeme, just had another look.What if you cut bracket off old cooler, measured and cut for locating on top of new cooler bracket for correct distance.Glue it on with 24 hr Araldite or drill and bolt together🤷
We had the fan-does-not-come-on topic here a great many times. The tenor has always been: it doesn't come on.
QuoteCooling fan thermo-switch operating temperature
Standard (OFF→ON): Approx. 120°C (248°F)
(ON→OFF): Approx. 108°C (226°F)
I "forced" it to come on. Running the engine in the garage for about 30 minutes the fan came on (can't remember outside temp). Screw-in temp gage at the clutch cover showed 105°C with the OEM cooler, 100° with the standard cooler expert cooler. That the temp is cooler at the top of the clutch cover compared to the location of the fan thermo-switch is logical.
I would go without the fan on the race cooler. The top-flange needs to be modified to ensure adequate air-flow to the cylinder head. The top-flange issue is seen with some other after-market coolers as well. I prefer cut-out over drilling holes. Without the fan and modified top-flange, the air-flow to the head will be even better.
If you can solve the issue of hitting the cooler with the stanchion when turning in by leaving the fan off and cutting the grommits in halve, I think you are good to go with that cooler...
Except: Your oil temp might be too low a lot of times!
My gripe with oil temp on the 14 is that it is too low at low outside temps. Depending on the outside, screw-in temp gauge didn't go above 60°(makes 75-80° at the oil switch) no matter how hard I pushed. Sixty ° at the screw-in is what I consider warmed up. Was considering installing a thermostat. Dropped that idea as I don't ride anymore below 15°C.
Screw in at our temps, lowest is around 6, highest over 40. Ive pushed hard in high ambients, never seen it show over 80. Ive checked with laser thermometer, its fairly accurate, around 10 below motor temp. None of that will turn fan on. Air/oil cooling is a wonderful invention.Others are missing out.
Quote from: GSXKING on Saturday, 17 May 2025, 12:51 PMHi Grae
My two cents worth I had an oil cooler fail and was fortunate enough to get one from a dealer who'd changed it out for an aftermarket one.
In 24 years of ownership living in South East Queensland and travelling in the hottest 🥵🥵of summers I've never heard my fan go on. 😎
thanks, good to know!
Quote from: grog on Saturday, 17 May 2025, 08:26 PMScrew in at our temps, lowest is around 6, highest over 40. Ive pushed hard in high ambients, never seen it show over 80. Ive checked with laser thermometer, its fairly accurate, around 10 below motor temp. None of that will turn fan on. Air/oil cooling is a wonderful invention.Others are missing out.
thanks Grog, Interesting that it sounds like the fan rarely or never comes on, and may not be needed. cheers G
Quote from: GSXKING on Saturday, 17 May 2025, 12:51 PMHi Grae
My two cents worth I had an oil cooler fail and was fortunate enough to get one from a dealer who'd changed it out for an aftermarket one.
In 24 years of ownership living in South East Queensland and travelling in the hottest 🥵🥵of summers I've never heard my fan go on. 😎
thanks Chris, i'll look into after market options or maybe modifying the existing fan mount. Lots of suggestions that the fan is maybe not required as well. Cheers G
Thanks again for all your replies everyone. Sounds like modifying the fan mount, or not having the fan at all, and modifying the grommets to allow the cooler to fit are the takeouts here. Ill also look into a cut out in the top mount for better air flow to the head as suggested. Although support from Cool Ex to date has been minimal, I will be calling them again on Monday to follow up previous inquiries and try and get photos, diagrams and more detail of how they think this cooler should be installed too. I'll also ensure they are committed to swapping out the race cooler for the standard one if it comes to that. Hope not. Cheers G
Quote from: Eric GSX1400K3 on Saturday, 17 May 2025, 03:00 PMAgree with that, here in WA, hottest days and "spirited" riding, fan does not come on, std cooler (22yo). I'd do the single grommet idea. Is there any way to modify the bottom lugs? Surely a welding shop could TIG weld two matching brackets onto these for you? Cooler looks trick in my opinion.
Thanks Eric, may go that way. Love the cooler, hate the hassels. Cheers G
Quote from: grog on Saturday, 17 May 2025, 04:17 PMGraeme, just had another look.What if you cut bracket off old cooler, measured and cut for locating on top of new cooler bracket for correct distance.Glue it on with 24 hr Araldite or drill and bolt together🤷
Thanks Grog. Yep, good idea. Also, maybe Cool Ex could not make an extension up in the same alloy and send it over, given theirs is too short. Cheers G
Maybe by welding a washer at the end I would have the holding point OK
I'll disagree with the others on the fan, it is needed occasionally. I had a seized fan at one point that I didn't know about till crossing a Swiss city in 35-40c heat the engine was feeling horribly rough & tight, along with a hot/burning oil smell. Once I got into moving traffic again ( it was too congested to filter & I don't think the Swiss like you doing so ) it was all good.
Quote from: Hooli on Monday, 19 May 2025, 08:16 PMI'll disagree with the others on the fan, it is needed occasionally. I had a seized fan at one point that I didn't know about till crossing a Swiss city in 35-40c heat the engine was feeling horribly rough & tight, along with a hot/burning oil smell. Once I got into moving traffic again ( it was too congested to filter & I don't think the Swiss like you doing so ) it was all good.
Thanks Hooli, yeah I think keeping the fan makes sense (esp in hot climates / traffic). Cheers G
Hey all, just an update on this. Have decided that I want to keep the fan and Coolex have agreed to swap the cooler for a standard one. They have them on the shelf apparently. I have requested the unpainted one if they have one (not sure). I did want to keep the race cooler if it was possible, but there just is too much work modifying the bike for the fan and risk squeezing it in with little or no grommets in place. Anyway, thanks again for your input and Ill keep you posted on where this ends up.
Cheers Grae
Good result Mate👍
Decent customer service there to resolve your issues then.
Quote from: Hooli on Tuesday, 20 May 2025, 06:36 PMDecent customer service there to resolve your issues then.
Yeah, initial contact was like a brick wall, but once I found (stumbled across) the right person, I got some traction. Ill keep everyone posted about how the actual swap ends up going (beyond the email commitment that I have to date). Cheers
Hey all, just to keep you updated, after many phone calls and emails back and forth over the last few weeks, I have finally received a replacement 'standard' oil cooler from Coolex. The product itself looks good and is significantly more robust than the Suzuki original. (see photo) All the mountings and fittings appear to be in the right place. It looks like it should fit straight in including the fan etc. I'll get on to it on the weekend, let you know how I go, and post a few photos of the outcome. Cheers Grae
Great result so far, hope it fits
I replaced my leaking unit with a Coolex, very happy with the product and went on very easily.
Triangular end tanks too, that removes the weak spot in the original design.
Quote from: watgra on Wednesday, 11 June 2025, 07:47 PMHey all, just to keep you updated, after many phone calls and emails back and forth over the last few weeks, I have finally received a replacement 'standard' oil cooler from Coolex. The product itself looks good and is significantly more robust than the Suzuki original. (see photo) All the mountings and fittings appear to be in the right place. It looks like it should fit straight in including the fan etc. I'll get on to it on the weekend, let you know how I go, and post a few photos of the outcome. Cheers Grae
Certainly looks far sturdier than the original. May I ask the price please 🙏
[/quote]
Certainly looks far sturdier than the original. May I ask the price please 🙏
[/quote]
https://www.coolexperts.co.uk/product/suzuki-gsx-1400-oil-cooler-new-modified-flanges/
Chris earlier models had a problem leaking at flange (overtightening doesn't help).
I spoke to them before I purchased that's where I got the information.
Previously on this forum some have complained that the top gusset in front of the fan should be cut like original, in my opinion there is no need for that.
They send all over the world except Iran, Israel and Russia. ;)
Surprised to see they're still the same price I paid over a decade ago for one very similar.
These look the part, mines still original, but no signs of leaks or corrosion with our climate.
Just did a delivered price, they quote 125GBP for delivery to our little corner of the world. Comes in at just under 500GBP delivered. Still, good to know there's a decent quality aftermarket unit for these coolers.
Would be great to see a pic of your install
No leaks in mine thank Buddha 🙏 this one's about 12-13 years fitted to my bike.
I've always had a protective steel cover fitted which I think not only protects from sticks and stones damaging the very fine structure and adds a lot of strength 💪
Quote from: Eric GSX1400K3 on Wednesday, 18 June 2025, 09:55 AMThese look the part, mines still original, but no signs of leaks or corrosion with our climate.
Just did a delivered price, they quote 125GBP for delivery to our little corner of the world. Comes in at just under 500GBP delivered. Still, good to know there's a decent quality aftermarket unit for these coolers.
Would be great to see a pic of your install
245+125=370 GBP about $763 AUD, I would have thought you would not have to pay VAT the Brits Tax.
Uk 20% VAT shouldn't be charged in goods exported outside of the UK.
I was paying no import tax on stuff a while back, but now some imports up to Au$1000 can get the 10% GST added.
I haven't been charged on recent UK or US parts.
True, I had included VAT, which is not payable by us in Oz.
The charges add up if over $1000. I recently did exercise to get golf cart from China. Locally available $3750 set to go.$800 US in China. Sounded good, worked out costs, inc insurance,$3100.Thats plus wait time, worry time, will i get my product time.Just pay the local price was result.
Hey all, just remembered to post a pic of the final result with the replacement std Coolex Oil Cooler:
Thanks again for all your input!
cheers Grae
Looks so sturdy 👍
I'd personally still have a radiator guard on.