Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) transmission lines

[vc]

Ok, I know the lines and fittings have been discussed and I am doing a search, but while I'm looking I'll ask. I just checked all my lines and fittings on my 97, and the only plastic fittings are on the two rubber lines connected to the aux cooler up front. They connect the rubber lines to the metal ones. The other end of these rubber lines are on the cooler with hose clamps. The other fittings at the transmission and the oil to water cooler under the exhaust manifold are all metal.

So my question is for the two plastic connections do I need two replace those two metal lines and the two rubber cooler lines with the new fittings if I want the "upgraded lines"? Can I actually just cut the ends off and slip those rubber hoses over the metal and then hose clamp them there as well?

Thanks.

vc

 

[Dieselnerd]

If it's true that the only plastic fittings you have are on the transmission cooler up front by the radiator, I wouldn't worry about them. The ones that typically fail are the ones on the transmission where they get pretty warm. I have not heard of anyone having a problem with the ones up front. If someone has, please speak up.

 

[vc]

The more I look into this, the more I think my lines are the better ones anyways.

Thanks.

vc

 

[BillGotthelf]

VC I believe that the 97's had the plastic fittings. If you don't have them then you may have a late 97 or someone before you? replaced them. It takes alot of heat to melt them but towing long uphill stretches with an "upgraded" engine will do it-I found out the hard way.

 

[vc]

BillGotthelf,

I double checked every fitting on the lines and I am certain beyond doubt that the only plastic fittings are the two up front connecting the rubber hoses from the aux cooler to the metal lines coming up front. I bought the truck when it had 19,000 miles on it and I really doubt it had been touched at all. I could be wrong on that, but I found no evidence anything had been touched on this truck when I bought it.

vc

 

[BillGotthelf]

VC the plastic fittings are inside the fitting. Only two little plastic ears stick out. Maybe you are lucky and don't have them.

 

[Reddog1]

Check with dieseltrans.com. I am sure DTT will explain which lines you need to replace and why.



Wayne

 

[jbrowne]

Plastic fittings on transmission.

Well let me tell you exactlly where I found the plastic in the fitting. On the left side near the front of the transmission is a fitting that holds the outlet tube that goes to the ATF cooler. It looks like any 7/8 fitting that has a 3/8 pipe thread that screws into the transmission. I was able to distroy it by going down a steep grade called White Bird pass in Idaho. I was going about fifty MPH on the Exaust brake and was marveling that I did not have to touch the brakes all the way down. (About three miles. ) Then I looked in my mirror and saw white smoke rolling out. The Plastic in that fitting had softened enough to allow the pressure to shove it out dropping five quarts. Luckily I got stopped before distroying the transmission completelly. Now I am in the process of converting this truck to a five speed manual shift. I learned the hard way that automatics get just as hot going down hill as up.