Which cooler is it? Hoses leaking

[JohnDodge]

Which cooler is directly in front of the radiator but behind the intercooler? Is it a transmission cooler or engine oil cooler? From what I have read and seen there is also a transmission cooler on the back of the engine that circulates engine coolant. I have some leaking hoses above the steering shaft. I have attached a photo. Where can I get these hoses and what is involved with R&R? Local dodge dealer quoted $330 labor and $200 for hoses. Should I purchase the hard line to hose adapters as well? Thanks in advance, I know I will get a quick answer. I tried to find the search function but didn't locate it.

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[fox]

Trans cooler.

What color is the fluid?

 

[JohnDodge]

Appears red, does not seem to have an odor. It is right below the overflow bottle.

Why would it have two transmission coolers? Or is the engine coolant one for engine oil?

 

[rscurtis]

The engine oil cooler is the housing behind the oil filter. The second transmission cooler (in front of the radiator) provides additional cooling when the engine mounted heat exchanger cannot manage the temp. by itself.

 

[JohnDodge]

Roger,



Where can I find these hoses aside from at the dealership? I don't think they sell them at your average parts store.

 

[cerberusiam]

Thats not the trans cooler at the bottom, thats the power steering cooler.



If the hoses in your picture are the ones that are leaking, power steering cooler. If the leak is coming from above its the trans cooler lines as they are directly under the battery.

 

[JohnDodge]

Those leaking lines attach to the big cooler between the radiator and the intercooler. I am pretty sure its trans cooler lines.

 

[cerberusiam]

Those leaking lines attach to the big cooler between the radiator and the intercooler. I am pretty sure its trans cooler lines.

Unless it has changed in 05, those lower hoses pictured go to the power steering cooler. The trans cooler lines are higher, about halway up the rad support. You have to remove the left front fender liner to work on them.



Look closely in between the rad and CAC, you should have 2 coolers, one high and one low.

 

[JohnDodge]

I tracked the hoses from the cooler on the back of the engine to the upper cooler between the radiator and the intercooler. I can see the lines through the fender liner openings above the frame rail. I also tracked the power steering lines to the lower cooler as well.

These will be the trans cooler lines. Where can I get them for a decent price?



edit: As for the photo, I took that from under the the balancer towards the steering box which may be causing the confusion.

 

[cerberusiam]

Yeah, or my upside down way of looking at things. Trans cooler lines they be.



Only one place to source the originals and that is dealer. Only other choice is have lines made up if you can match the fittings. Not sure what would be the most effective.

 

[mwilson]

If the leak is at the coupler (looks like one of them is wet at least) it has been mentioned on TDR in the past that the dealer may have a clip and o-ring kit to repair the hardened, baked, cooked o-ring that is in there.

Might be worth a call.

I think that cooked o-rings are the main issue with these dripping transmission lines, makes sense as hot as they get.



If the lines are junk I believe that Dorman products is offering some, if not all of the replacement transmission cooler lines that these trucks take.



Go to Dorman Products and look them up by year, make and model.



I have seen them in the catalog but the Dorman lines are going to be China stuff, may still be ok.



Please check both aftermarket and dealer pricing, sometimes there is very little difference in price.



Plus the OEM part will have the latest improvements built in, the aftermarket part will not.



Mike.