****** Fluid Leak!

[bmrrwolfe]

So i was playing around under the jeep about a week ago and noticed a little fluid built up on the ****** cooler line. It was right after my weekly fluid check and everything was normal so i wiped it off and decided i'd just keep looking at it. Well i noticed today again doing my fluid checks the dipstick is still reading where it should be, but it looks like it has gotten worse down below, and has dripped down onto the sway bar etc.
I'm assuming its coming from the crimp onto the rubber line.
I've fixed this once on the same style spot on mu buddys 01 cougar but his car was a piece of sh*t so we just cut the metal tubes right before the crimps and tried to flare it, but couldn't fit the flaring tool in the tight spots and just used some rubber ****** lines and double clamped it down. Probably not the right fix but held for a couple months then he sold it.
So whats my best option to go about fixing this??

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For the time being to be safe i put the jeep out of commission until i get it fixed, except for driving to work (only about a 1.5 mile drive) and ill check before and after every commute to and from.

 

[kb0nly]

Besides replacing the entire line, major PITA and cost, go to an auto parts store and see if any of the stores around you have one of the cooler line repair kits...

Its kinda like what you were talking about doing, you cut the metal line, clean out the end and make sure there is no filings in there if you use a saw, the best way is a small tubing cutter so it makes a clean cut, then you slide on the included nut, flare it, and then thread on this piece that looks like a barbed hose nipple but has a flared fitting on the other end. Then you just cut the metal crimp off the rubber part of line and slide onto the nipple and install a clamp.

I have done this with high pressure hydraulic lines on farm equipment, and when the same problem happened on a power steering and transmission line on my old pickup i did that too, it never leaked again.

 

[bmrrwolfe]

I think i know what your talking about, any chance you have a picture of what one would look like?

 

[bmrrwolfe]

Something like these?
http://www.transmissioncoolers.us/M...Category_Code=cooler-fittings&Product_Count=1
or this?
http://www.makcotransmissionparts.com/13032.html

 

[Warren.fischbeck]

Those look like what kbonly describes, What does the hose look like further up the line? you don't want to make a repair only to have a hose that's dry rotted out crack just past your repair.

 

[bmrrwolfe]

Those look like what kbonly describes, What does the hose look like further up the line? you don't want to make a repair only to have a hose that's dry rotted out crack just past your repair.

The hose is still pretty good looking no dryrot (atleast what i can see) and all the other crimps still look solid.
I was kinda shocked when i saw it, since its only an 06.

 

[bmrrwolfe]

Another thing i thought of is i'm going to be losing a good amount of the fluid left in it. I'm sure its due for a fluid change anyways but do i need Mopar atf+4 or would any other atf+4 be alright, i've heard both sides to it needs mopar/any atf+4 would work?

 

[Warren.fischbeck]

Another thing you may want to check on is the pressure that the line needs to be able to withstand. I don't know what that PSI is though.

 

[bmrrwolfe]

Another thing you may want to check on is the pressure that the line needs to be able to withstand. I don't know what that PSI is though.

I do not think that the cooling lines are under that much pressure, but hopefully someone will double check me on that?

 

[Spidey]

This link was posted once before regarding transmission fluid:
http://centerforqa.com/licensedatf4brands.html

 

[bmrrwolfe]

This link was posted once before regarding transmission fluid:
http://centerforqa.com/licensedatf4brands.html

Thanks for the link! I guess i will be alright going with the Non-Mopar brands as long as price is worth it.

 

[ThunderbirdJunkie]

Or start checking your PS fluid level...

 

[MickityMike]

Or start checking your PS fluid level...

Yeah, I'm kinda lazy so I think that's how I'd "fix" it, too.

 

[bmrrwolfe]

Or start checking your PS fluid level...

TBJ you got me confused?

 

[kb0nly]

Yes, thats the type of repair part i was talking about, although those are the newer style compression fitting, like a compression fitting you use on a water line, neat didn't know they made them that style yet, but it has been a few years since i needed one.

You put the nut over the line, then that metal ring which is the compression sleeve, then slide the tubing into the end of the fitting and slide up the ring and nut and tighten. Don't over do it, get it good and snug and then maybe another half turn, you can always tighten it a bit more if it develops a leak.

I think what TBJ meant is make sure its the transmission line thats leaking and not the power steering line, as they are nearly the same and both use the same ATF+4 fluid, so make sure its not power steering fluid that your bleeding.

 

[bmrrwolfe]

Yes, thats the type of repair part i was talking about, although those are the newer style compression fitting, like a compression fitting you use on a water line, neat didn't know they made them that style yet, but it has been a few years since i needed one.

You put the nut over the line, then that metal ring which is the compression sleeve, then slide the tubing into the end of the fitting and slide up the ring and nut and tighten. Don't over do it, get it good and snug and then maybe another half turn, you can always tighten it a bit more if it develops a leak.

I think what TBJ meant is make sure its the transmission line thats leaking and not the power steering line, as they are nearly the same and both use the same ATF+4 fluid, so make sure its not power steering fluid that your bleeding.

Thats what i thought he meant but then mikes response threw me off.
I also was hoping TBJ knew i was smarter then that
Hopefully tomorrow i can run to autozone or murrays and see if they have one of those compression style fittings.
Also the lines are 3/8" right?

 

[kb0nly]

I would think they are 3/8" only because that's a pretty common size, but i haven't looked to verify.

If you can't find one locally i would order one online and just keep it topped of until it arrives.

If you can get your hands on a pair of calipers i would measure the outside diameter of the line, its going to be either 5/16" or 3/8" as thats what just about everything uses... If you don't have access to a pair of calipers here is a cheat... Get a good cresent wrench that doesnt have a lot of play in it, put that on the line and adjust it till it just slides on and off the line then take it off and measure between the jaws.

 

[bmrrwolfe]

I would think they are 3/8" only because that's a pretty common size, but i haven't looked to verify.

If you can't find one locally i would order one online and just keep it topped of until it arrives.

If you can get your hands on a pair of calipers i would measure the outside diameter of the line, its going to be either 5/16" or 3/8" as thats what just about everything uses... If you don't have access to a pair of calipers here is a cheat... Get a good cresent wrench that doesnt have a lot of play in it, put that on the line and adjust it till it just slides on and off the line then take it off and measure between the jaws.

I actually looked for my caliper, but of course like most of my tools they never end up being put away and are never seen again..
I'll have to look again, or try to compare it to my 3/8" aluminum fuel line i just got from summit for my project truck.

 

[ThunderbirdJunkie]

TBJ you got me confused?

The shape and location look more like the KJ's PS cooler hoses than the trans cooler hoses. Granted, ThunderbirdJunkie has an '02 and has not messed with a 42RLE KJ in quite some time.

Remember that '03+ KJs spec ATF4 rather than PS fluid for the power steering system.

 

[bmrrwolfe]

The shape and location look more like the KJ's PS cooler hoses than the trans cooler hoses. Granted, ThunderbirdJunkie has an '02 and has not messed with a 42RLE KJ in quite some time.

Remember that '03+ KJs spec ATF4 rather than PS fluid for the power steering system.

I did not ever know that the PS was suppose to take ATF+4...
Good to know now.