What might indicate that the oil cooler passage is obstructed?

An obstructed oil cooler passage typically results in high oil temperatures. The oil cooler's primary function is to dissipate heat from the engine oil, and when this passage becomes obstructed, it restricts the flow of oil through the cooler. As a result, the oil is unable to be adequately cooled, causing an increase in temperature. A higher-than-normal oil temperature reading can indicate that the oil is not being effectively cooled, leading to potential overheating of the engine. This situation can also signal a need for maintenance or investigation into the state of the oil cooler and the oil passages.

While low oil pressure, increased engine vibration, and unusual engine noise may indicate other types of problems within the engine system, they do not directly correlate with the obstruction of the oil cooler passage in the same definitive manner as high oil temperature.