[Dude-Man]

Ok, according to the incredibly large service manual (3195 pages) the funky piece that the oil filter mounts to is an oil cooler. Cooled with engine coolant instead of air no less!
I figure this is actually a very good thing since the engine coolant is regulated at a consistent temp unlike a direct oil to air cooler. Would make for a much more stable oil environment.
Only potential disadvantage that I see is if the oil cooler springs an internal leak you might get coolant in the oil galleys....

 

[RogueClimber]

So did you get the paper version of said large manual or the down load?

Interesting tidbit about the oil cooler though. Thanks!

 

[Dude-Man]

Can't imagine how they would send this manual printed- it would be HUGE!
Got the CD instead.

 

[kokopop]

So did you get the paper version of said large manual or the down load?

Wise ass.

 

[RogueClimber]

So did you get the paper version of said large manual or the down load?

Wise ass.

I'm serious once in a while. I knew several have done the one day membership and downloaded the manual. I forgot you can also drop a couple Benjamins on a cd...

 

[ZwithanX]

My '87 Jetta had an oil to water cooler that was sandwitched between the filter and block and so does my '99 Audi. They've never had any major problems with the multitudes of those little four bangers springing leaks. Hopefully Nissan got it right too.

Z.