Replacing transmission cooler

[silky28]

Hey all,

so I have an 03 Tahoe z71 with the from mounted transmission cooler. The line that goes to the cooler from the radiator was leaking at the fitting to the cooler. When I removed the line the cooler broke...so I need a new cooler.

long story short, there are no oem or aftermarket coolers available in my area for more than a week and I need the truck.

I do not tow...never have never will...so I wh I don’t really need this cooler. Is it possible to bypass the cooler all together by running a rubber hose from the feed to return line?

if not, I may replace it with an aftermarket cooler. My question is this: how do you connect the new cooler to the factory lines if the new cooler does not have the press in fittings? Can I just use a hose and clamp from the factory line to the aftermarket cooler or will that leak?

thanks!

 

[Doubeleive]

Hey all,

so I have an 03 Tahoe z71 with the from mounted transmission cooler. The line that goes to the cooler from the radiator was leaking at the fitting to the cooler. When I removed the line the cooler broke...so I need a new cooler.

long story short, there are no oem or aftermarket coolers available in my area for more than a week and I need the truck.

I do not tow...never have never will...so I wh I don’t really need this cooler. Is it possible to bypass the cooler all together by running a rubber hose from the feed to return line?

if not, I may replace it with an aftermarket cooler. My question is this: how do you connect the new cooler to the factory lines if the new cooler does not have the press in fittings? Can I just use a hose and clamp from the factory line to the aftermarket cooler or will that leak?

thanks!

yes in the mean time until you get a more permanent fix you can just connect the ends together with a hose and clamps you will be fine, it doesn't need to be bled or anything, any fluid that came out already is negligible loss maybe a pint at the most nothing to worry about. fluid pressure thru the cooler lines is not much maybe 15-20 psi so you don't need anything special to connect the lines to each other. I would just shove the lines in the hose real good just to be sure it's on good.

 

[silky28]

yes in the mean time until you get a more permanent fix you can just connect the ends together with a hose and clamps you will be fine, it doesn't need to be bled or anything, any fluid that came out already is negligible loss maybe a pint at the most nothing to worry about. fluid pressure thru the cooler lines is not much maybe 15-20 psi so you don't need anything special to connect the lines to each other. I would just shove the lines in the hose real good just to be sure it's on good.

thanks! I think I will put a bubble flare on the end of the line that goes from radiator to cooler. That way I will have something for the clamp and hose to grab on...the other end still has the factory flare on it so I should be ok there.

do you know What metal the factory tubing is? I assumed it is stainless. I have been trying to find a stainless compression fitting so I can add a barb end but cannot find a stainless fitting under $25 each :|.

 

[OR VietVet]

IMO, you should also double clamp the bypass hose.

 

[mpope2]

No parts stores close by have a Hayden or Trans go brand universal cooler on the shelf?

 

[S33k3r]

thanks! I think I will put a bubble flare on the end of the line that goes from radiator to cooler. That way I will have something for the clamp and hose to grab on...the other end still has the factory flare on it so I should be ok there.

do you know What metal the factory tubing is? I assumed it is stainless. I have been trying to find a stainless compression fitting so I can add a barb end but cannot find a stainless fitting under $25 each :|.

Have you tried a plumbing house? I bet you can find what you need there.

 

[silky28]

No parts stores close by have a Hayden or Trans go brand universal cooler on the shelf?

It's Canada...the stores have nothing. Be easy to get things off Amazon but cannot get stuff till Monday and I need truck for Saturday...

 

[silky28]

Cannot find a stainless compression fitting anywhere. I have managed to track down some Dayco 3/8" rubber transmission hose. I am going to put that over the tube and clamp it down...see what happens.