Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) transmission water/oil heat exchanger fittings

[CGustafson]

I noticed one of my transmission heat exchanger lines is seeping just slightly, up under the turbo. I've read here the connectors have a plastic retainer that is not a good thing. Also that some kind of upgrade kit is available, but pretty pricey.



Can anyone tell me how the heat exchanger fittings are attached to the heat exchanger body. Looking up there I just can't see enough detail to tell what I'm looking at. I'm hoping I can retrofit some SAE 37° flare fittings to the heat exchanger and flare the existing tubes or bend new tubes as replacements. My guess, though, is the OEM fittings are brazed to the heat exchanger?



Also, how do you seperate the tubes from the heat exchanger? The manual, in its normal highly detailed manner, says "remove the tubes".



I'm open to any suggestions or experiences dealing with these. Can you install new retainers and get a few more years out of the connectors? Is it an O-ring seal? Are there any aftermarket solutions?



Chuck

 

[Gene Heck]

I forget exactly what the size is but the fittings are npt. Something like 3/8 or 1/2. You will know when you take them out. To unlock the retainer, squeeze the 2 little white "tabs" to the metal line and wiggle the line and it will come loose and pull out. You don't have to go overboard on the flare fittings and such. You can put pipe x barb fittings back in and a short piece of oil rated hose. like for a remote oil filter kit. There isn't much pressure on these lines. Heat is the big deal here. Some guys have braided hydraulic hose made to length with swivel fittings on the ends.



Gene

 

[CGustafson]

Gene,



Thanks much for the info. I was sure there'd be some proprietary fitting brazed to the heat exchanger. NPT! Wonderful. A whole world of options. But, yah, now that you mention it, very low pressure there so just about anything will work.



Are the seals on the existing fittings serviceable? That would be easiest in the short term. I've got a pile of stuff to do before the snow flies, and very little time left to do it!



Regards, Chuck

 

[WilsonF]

If you go to hose make sure you get transmission hose. I got mine at NAPA.

Floyd