FWIW:
I was doing some towing (sled dragging up a 45% incline, repeatedly, then off to the dump with a full load and trailer) with my Chevy truck and noticed that my engine didn't sound happy after a few hours of that, burnt the trans fluid and oil (regular ATF and castrol 5-50 synthetic). Changed the oil right then and had the ATF purged at a quickie place.

Installed both an inter cooler on the trans and an oil cooler on the front (damn thing was stubbed out for one but it seems to be a factory option that no one buys...). Anyway, next time I abused the heck outa the thing everything was roses. When not punishing the truck I notice that the oil stays "nice" far longer than it did before. I know it's not your situation, but IMHO I'd keep the oil cooler.

Heck do a cost/benifit analysis. ~$100 to fix Vs. how much to bypass + shorter oil intervals?
-nB

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'83 300D Turbo
Current: ???K mi - 19.2mpg -> 17.4mpg -> 22.9mpg ---> ODO Died
bought at: 233.8K mi - 10MPG For $1.00
3.5 cylinders work: 320 320 100 340 280
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