Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Auto Trans Line Problem

[3dracer]

A friend of mine has a "95 CTD with an automatic transmission. This past weekend he had a transmission line develop a leak at the base of the transmission. He took into a dealer and they say that there was an update on the cooler lines. His original line is coupled up with an o-ring and some kind of clip to keep lines together. His clip disappeared somewhere and leaked. They replaced the original line with a line that threads into the transmission, w/a threded adapter. Line, labor and fluid was $175. 00. Anyone else have these problems? Seems like Chrysler is always updating something after the fact that we try their cheap stuff first and find all of the "bugs".

 

[illflem]

There was a recall to replace the cheap plastic connectors but only on the gassers due to fire risk. No such luck with the diesels, if you want to upgrade it's your dime.

 

[Stmpplr]

Does your buddy have the part ## from his invoice or receipt? I've been needin this line replaced for some time. Would prefer to to it myself.

 

[Blakers]

Where are these cheap plastic connectors located? I don't believe I have them on mine.



Thanks.



Blake

 

[illflem]

Check out these two links, have p/ns and cost

http://dodgeram.org/tech/transmission/automatic/plastic_couplings.htm The prices quoted are dealer, the way out of line priced (2)Hose, Aux Cooler isn't needed

http://dodgeram.org/tech/tsb/1996/21-15-96/21-15-96.htm

 

[Dfuruness]

My lines went at 250,000km while towing the trailer. Cost me $700 Cdn dollars and a short stop on the side of the road. What a **** off. Anyways, I wrote a letter to Chrysler expressing my concerns and they politely told me to get stuffed.



If you want to replace the lines it is on your own. I recommend it to avoid an untimely breakdown as I experienced.



Donny Boy

 

[Joe G.]

I replaced my fittings with compression fittings. I've been saying that if I get anymore trouble with them I will replace the whole cooler line mess with hydraulic hose. I've been saying that for over a 120K miles so far. I thought they had given up the ghost a while back, but the leak was another problem. Don't forget that there are FOUR fittings. Two in the trans and two in the bottom of the cooler under the exhaust manifold. Need LONG arms if your truck is a 4X4 for those under the manifold. If you don't already know how to cuss, you will learn how with those fittings.

 

[jdub]

I had the lines and fittings replaced as a prevention by the local dealer. When I ordered the parts I was advised that the job would be a bear so I shelled out $ 170 for the labor. It took them two hours and the grand total came to $490. When you take a good look at those plastic disconnects you wonder about how the engineer got them by the design review people. Someone on an earlier post mentioned that the plastic gets brittle over time causing the separation . At 26k miles mine were

cracked inside and I rarely tow.