Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) auto transmission cooler lines

[csutton7]

Yesterday on my way back into town from Fortuna I blew a transmission cooler line hose and lost all my transmission fluid, which then preceded to stop me dead in my tracks--luckily I was able to make it one mile to a gas station--once I got to the station I couldn't move----anyway the lines are hose clamped on the drivers side at the bottom of the radiator--two 1/2" or so lines---anyway put 11 qts of fluid in(Dexron 111) and motored home---chris

 

[John]

Ok Chris...

... and what's the rest of the story?



By that I mean, how did the "hose" blow? More specifically, was it the hard supply/return lines or the short "rubber" hoses near the radiator? I'm just trying to figure out which part of the transmission cooler "hoses" let go, and more importantly, why? You see, on one hand it would be more plausible that the short length of "rubber" hose would fail first although, on the other hand, I have seen substantial wear marks/patterns on the metal supply/return cooler lines where the plastic retention clips have worn into them. Failure here would only be a matter of time.



On my Ram I have systematically moved the retention clamps a little from time to time in order to reduce wear and fatigue in one specific area. Also, one of the two hard lines rubs on the frame cross member below the engine (if memory serves) which will certainly lead to failure if left to run its course.



Hopefully no permanent damage was done to your transmission.

 

[csutton7]

it's the rubber hoses that connect directly to the front cooler(2 rubber hoses there)--mine has hose clamps-- I didn't follow them toward the transmission to see the total configuration--but when I saw the transmission fluid leaking(what was left of it) I figured I was going to have fun chasing parts in the small town I was in---oh what a relief to see the hose clamps---



why it did it I have no idea---hose shrinkage + higher pressure maybe other thatn that I have no idea--I've never messed with those clamps and to my knowledge no one has either--



damage is being accessed --possible bad solenoid and hopefully nothing else-hunts for gears at 10 mph(never hunted there before) and transmission goes into limp when I put it in first gear to keep smoke down..... will have it checked out Tuesday or Wednesday hopefully and then head to Idaho for Bullydog's event if everything is OK... ... ... ..... chris