Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Oil cooler lines - dealer only item???

[EJanzer]

My 99 2500 CTD has developed a small, but piddling leak from one of the fittings on the oil cooler lines which run to the oil-to-water cooler by the engine radiator. The guys at the shop I take it to for normal maintenance said that the lines are a dealer-only item and cost about $260 bucks! Is that true? Does anyone else have any other resources for those lines?



Also, if I'm getting a puddle of oil about 1-1/2" in diameter intermittently under this fitting, is it something critical to repair?

Or can I wait on this a little while. I guess the real question may be, what sort of pressures are these oil cooler lines supposed to hold?



Thanks!

Eric

 

[KLockliear]

Which line? The "primary cooler" is the water to oil unit below the turbo. The "secondary cooler" is air to oil unit in front of the rad. From where to where does this line go?

 

[EJanzer]

Thanks for the quick reply, Keith.



The line is running under and off to the driver's side of the motor.

It runs to the front of the truck to the radiator. I'm assuming it doesn't actually connect to the radiator but some additional oil cooler unit? What is strange is that I called a dealer's parts department and the guy wasn't able to find any sort of line listed.

He's looking into it and supposed to get back to me.



Any ideas?

 

[EJanzer]

Well I'll be a ...



Alright. Looks like I stepped in it this time! I went out and looked a little closer at the fittings, lines, etc. that I was having the problem with.



The lines in question ARE the transmission cooler lines. They are NOT leaking.



The oil on the fitting that I saw was coming from what appears to be a crankcase breather hose(?) which coincidentally just happens to vent directly above the transmission line fitting. So I'm guessing the oil vapors condense, and trickle down the breather hose to end up spilling over the fitting.



Next time I'll look a little closer.



Thanks again for your willingness to help.



Eric