Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) What is it?

[JDinterman]

I was changing the oil in my 02 ctd and I noticed transmission fluid leaking from the trans lines up under the turbo. There is a little canister about 10 inches long and about 4 inches around with the two lines coming out of it Is it like a cooling tank or something I tightened the lines but they continue to leak.

 

[TnLRacing]

That is the heat exchanger

 

[JDinterman]

Is it a common problem for these lines to leak?

 

[lmills]

I can't say that I have ever heard of one leaking on these before. It is possible though.

 

[Sticks]

I think there is a TSB for that one - warranty repair. Any one got a list of the TSB's? I had the same problem on my '01 2500 auto, stea... dealer fixed it, no questions asked.

 

[JDinterman]

Do you know if the heat exchanger is under pressure I was going to take those lines off and see if I could get them to seat right The dealer that is near me doesn't have the best service dept. if you know what I mean

 

[Sticks]

I guess you'll find out when you loosen it. You can always fill it back up.

 

[Tom L]

What is it Answer

About that little cannister, what it is is a collector for crankcase oil fumes. According to the service manual it is suppose to be removed and drained at every oil change. What is happening is it fills with the now un-vaporized oil and that oil blows out the holes in the cannister causing what appears to be an oil leak at the front of the motor. Tom

 

[lmills]

We are talking about two entirely different canister. The one you are referring to is on the driver side front of the motor and is for venting blow by. The one we are talking about is an exchanger that is located on the passenger side of the motor. It is has a coil inside that transmission fluid flows thru as antifreeze is run thru the tank.

 

[Tom L]

IMills, Thanks for pointing that out, I stand corrected. What is being questioned sure sounds like a trans oil cooler, I'll be watching it too. Tom

 

[B.G. Smith]

Cooler

The cooler is only under pressure when the engine is running, you will lose a little trans fluid if you disconnect the line. bg