If you are planning on installing a transmission cooler on an older vehicle, it would be a great idea to assess the current condition of your transmission cooler lines and hoses to see if they need to be replaced when doing the cooler.
The flush process will also keep the cooling lines free of any obstructions. The sizes can run from 5/16 inch to 5/8 inch so that DIYer will need to be careful to choose the right size hose.Īnother tip for DIYers working on a leaky cooler line is to check the condition of the transmission fluid, especially if it has been a while between service and you notice any pieces of metal in the drained fluid.Ī normal flush will only replace about half of the fluid so a complete flush may be needed to keep the transmission running smoothly. Take action if a small red puddle of fluid is on the ground or pavement beneath the car.ĭIYers may be tempted to use any hose available in the garage but only new high-quality hoses made with chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) with a Hypalon cover (Hypalon is a synthetic rubber material resistant to chemicals, temperature extremes, and ultraviolet light) should be used.
The best way to keep any of these from developing into a larger problem is to check the engines’ fluid levels often and take a few minutes to inspect the transmission cooler line fittings. Leaking at threaded terminations can be caused by worn O-rings and gaskets, improper installation or the threads have become stripped for some reason.Split or dented tubing can be due to road debris, rust aggravated by high salt concentrations or simply an impact from an accident.Coupling separation is normally a result of oil contamination and once again excess heat causing hose reinforcement separation.Exterior damage can be a result of oil contamination to the hose, prolonged exposure to ozone from auto exhaust, excess heat wear from any abrasion, and road debris.Oil leaking or “weeping” from the hose or coupling can be caused when the hose deteriorates at the crimp site due to excessive heat.Let’s look at five common problems that occur with automatic transmission cooler lines and fittings and identify the probable cause: The repair or replacement of the tranny cooling lines may seem like a simple matter of removal and replacement but their location in the engine and the interference of other engine parts will be a challenge, especially for the not as skilled DIY mechanic. The return cooler line is attached in a similar fashion completing the cooling loop.
Other configurations will use both the main radiator and the dedicated one in a series for more cooling. Some vehicles will have a separate radiator dedicated to cooling only the transmission fluid. The configuration will vary depending on the make and model of the vehicle and it terminates with transmission cooler line fittings.Ī rubber transmission oil cooler hose connects to the fitting and the other end of the hose connects to another similar fitting on the automobile radiator. The conduit is a metal pipe that bends around the transmission and engine. It feeds the hydraulic system and pumps fluid out of the transmission via the hot line. One component inside that “box” is a small pump that circulates the transmission fluid. For our discussion simply know that two cooling tubes are attached to the transmission, the hot and cold lines mentioned earlier. The trite saying “think outside the box” is apt when discussing automatic transmission cooler lines. It’s a marvelous example of mechanical innovations but a bit too complicated for the scope of this article. Don’t worry too much about what happens inside that container. Think of the transmission as a box, or container of moving parts.