Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Trany Cooler Lines

[19swinger70]

hey guys, i have a 96 3/4t auto. 180000 miles. anyway, it seems that one of my steel transmission cooler lines has a crack or something, it's leaking bad. no big deal, i have another vehicle to drive until i fix it. my question is, on my hotrod, i use AN fittings and braided hose for lines, could i do that on the big rig too? i would assume it to be ok. i dont want to splice a piece onto the broken line, and i dont want to bend a new one. my bending tool will put crimps in it. i like the braided hose and AN fittings because they are tough, and will hold up to the vibration. and, i would think it would probably be as cheap or cheaper than going to the dealer and buying a new line set. any thoughts?

 

[JKouzez]

where is it leaking is it leaking at the heat exchanger, that would be right under the turbo.

 

[19swinger70]

sorry, i have been away all day. thanks for the reply. this morning, in haste, i put the truck in gear w/ the brake on, and noticed a good sized leak coming from the steel line in the area around where there is a metal bracket that holds the lines with an oil pan bolt. i saw it was leaking there, and then parked the truck, and wenjt about my daily business. i didnt investigate further. honestly, i didnt realize that the lines went anywhere else besides the transmission to the cooler. so, i'll have to do some investigating, because the leak maybe somewhere else, and just running down the lines.

 

[ndurbin]

I bet that bracket has worn a hole in one of the lines. It did it to one of my lines. You can get some hose and slide it over the hole and clamp it down until you can do a better fix. It worked for me until I could get the lines ordered and in. I ordered new lines from Dodge (ran me about 180 bucks since I get a discount) since I didnt have the updated ones. I replaced them and then put 3/4" heater hose around them to keep from getting holes again.



Nathan

 

[19swinger70]

that's kind of what i was suspecting. those are expensive lines!

 

[JohnE]

If you replace the rubber lines ask the dealer for the recall kit. It is about half price of purchasing them separate.



When I had my trany upgraded, the first thing the tech did was cut off the breather hose above the cooler lines. They've noticed over the years, the plastic breather hose wears into the steel trany lines.

 

[Extreme1]

Note: the $180 price includes the '94-'95 steel line that has the temp sender fitting in it, you might want to opt for that one anyway.

 

[19swinger70]

ok, i confirmed it, one of the cooler lines has a hole in it. it's where the clamp is closest to the front of the truck. put a temporary hose and clamps on it for now. are there any dealer people on here that want some business? i know my stupid local dealer will have to order the new lines anyway, so, if there's someone here i can order thru i will, as long as they can take visa. should i replace the rubber lines as well? they look fine, but should i throw them in too?