radiator to transmission hoses leaking

[bearandbee]

The previous owner had the radiator replaced and I believe used the wrong size lines that run to my trans. One or both lines leak at the connection despite being extremely tight. And I have a ton of slack on the lines because they hang down. Can anyone confirm the correct size and length for these lines? Or is that info useless because the radiator has been replaced and the new one requires a different size. I'm hoping to tackle this messy job tonight and then add more trans fluid.

[circmand]

at the line to the radiator or the line to the TRan or both? If both probably the wrong line. If at just the radiator might be wrong radiator. If the tran might be wrongradiator and line.

[bearandbee]

It's the connection where the rubber radiator line meets the metal line from trans. I have a drip that's splashing trans fluid all over the front half of under body.

[evillecutter]

It's the connection where the rubber radiator line meets the metal line from trans. I have a drip that's splashing trans fluid all over the front half of under body.

maybe your hose clamp is too tight and cut the rubber line?

[Y33TREKker]

It may be a matter of needing two different sized rubber hoses with an adapter needed at the point where the two different hose sizes meet. The lines you're talking about are most likely the trans cooling lines going to the radiator, but if the radiator has been changed, the rubber line size needed for the radiator may not be the same now.

I'd first take measurements of the openings of the metal line-outlets themselves (at the radiator and at the end of the metal line coming from the trans) to determine if they are the same now. It takes more than a tight hose clamp to ensure no leaks, and with the wrong hose size, an over tightened clamp can actually make leaks worse.

[LittleBeast]

I had the same issue. I had to use 4 clamps on each line (8 clamps total), 2 on each connection.

[bearandbee]

Yes I did overtighten, which cut the hose. Since then I fixed and reattached but still have a leak. I'll start by removing lines and measure the holes. The leaking hose is larger, which made me think its the wrong size.
If needed, The adapter for two hose sizes may save me from buying a new radiator...good idea Y33trekker!

[bearandbee]

Ok turns out rubber hose was NOT leaking but a few inches above the connection, the metal line has a hair crack that is leaking. Autozone does not carry. I'm gonna call the other parts stores. Any other ideas?

[PK]

Ok turns out rubber hose was NOT leaking but a few inches above the connection, the metal line has a hair crack that is leaking. Autozone does not carry. I'm gonna call the other parts stores. Any other ideas?

I would think that would be an Isuzu only part.
Perhaps contact the magical Merlin at St Charles.

Otherwise, take the steel line off and get it brazed up at a workshop.
Braze it, do not weld it.

Regards

PK

[bearandbee]

I'm thinking about just pushing the rubber hose up over the crack on the metal line and hope the drops joins the rest of the fluid flow.

[Triathlete]

You can remove the metal line, take it to a good brake shop and they can bend you a new one using their brake line machine or you can buy a brake line tool and so it yourself using the old line as a patern.

[SlowPro48]

That fatigue crack might keep running. If you've got that much hose why not just shorten the metal pipe - cut the bad section off, deburr, re-attach the hose. Weird that you got a crack in the first place though. Is there an attachment/support missing? Need to find out why it cracked and keep it from happening again...

[Y33TREKker]

That fatigue crack might keep running. If you've got that much hose why not just shorten the metal pipe - cut the bad section off, deburr, re-attach the hose. Weird that you got a crack in the first place though. Is there an attachment/support missing? Need to find out why it cracked and keep it from happening again...

Possibly a result of over tightening the hose clamps during the radiator replacement?

I'd second the idea of cutting the bad section, etc, it would just depend on the condition and thickness of the rest of the tubing. The stuff that gets used for those types of lines usually seems to be made of thin wall material, so unless it's new, I'm not sure how much luck a person would have flaring/expanding the end like it comes from the factory. Without that flared end, the hose and clamp could simply slip off the end.

[evillecutter]

if the rubber tube was too big it would make a crease when clamped - the crack will follow that crease - how old the rubber is will probably determine how far the crack will go

[bearandbee]

The leak was where the metal line was touching the suspension ARM that attached to two front wheels. Vibration and friction slowly wore it down. I could cut and flare or pull the hose up over past the crack and tighten a clamp over it. The hose comes from one of those small trans radiator coolers so I have to remove cladding to attach a longer hose either way. I'm just glad I found the real problem.