Page 1 of 1

Oil cooler line REPAIR

Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 12:55 pm
by 97CargoCrawler
We have a thread on how to remove the oil cooler lines and manifold but not one on how to repair them. My oil cooler lines have been leaking really bad ever since I added in my 2" body blocks during my lift. The oil cooler itself is attached to radiator which is bolted to the body, and the other end of the lines are attached to the oil cooler manifold which is bolted to the engine....which of course is bolted to the vans chassis. So adding any type of lift block between the body and chassis will stretch the lines. As we all know these lines leak no matter what, but having a lift stretching them makes the leak much worse.

I live in CA where it gets rather warm, so eliminating the lines altogether made me a bit nervous. Repairing them seemed to be the better option, especially since it looks damn easy to do. So that's what I did, and I thought I'd post some photos showing my method and how easy it is.

What the lines look like after you remove and clean them:

Image

The crimp fittings that need to be removed so you can install new rubber hose:

Image

Removing the fitting requires two separate cuts, denoted CUT #1 and CUT#2.

CUT #1: You can use a Dremel to cut around the fitting, but I found it much easier to use a pipe cutter for cut #1. The metal is very soft, in fact you need to be very careful you don't twist the metal line. Make the cut in incremental depths just as you would any pipe, and keep the cut as straight as possible. If you cut it right on the top edge you're leaving behind a piece of the fitting that works great as a backstop for the new hose:

Image

Image

CUT #2: For cut #2 you'll need a hack saw. Cut at an angle across the fitting so as not to cut into the backstop we left behind. DO NOT CUT TOO DEEP! If you start cutting into the rubber hose (and you will) keep it as shallow as possible so as not to damage the metal line inside.

Image

The crimped part of the fitting should now break away:

Image

Image

Image

Image

You might want to use a metal file to clean up the backstop a bit if the cut wasn't very straight.

The replacement hose needs to be 1/2" inside diameter and should be high quality, able to withstand at least 250 deg. F and 40 psi. I used Earl's Super Stock hose rated at 250 deg. F and 200 psi. The higher the ratings the better, but remember the hose needs to bend 90 deg. once installed. Higher rated hoses are often much stiffer.

Due to my 2" lift I added a few inches to the stock length of hose. I added 3", I figured having a bit more length would keep it that much further away from the fan.

Just like the stock crimped fitting, I thought it a good idea to use two 7/8" hose clamps on each connection:

Image

Image

My repaired, 3" longer lines:

Image

The lines originally had some black plastic corrugated sheathing on them from the factory and I was too lazy to clean the crud off of them, so I replaced it with some cable sheathing I had laying around:

Image

Installed. Notice how my extra inch of hose keeps the lines a comfortable distance away from the fan and the pulley:

Image

Image

A few things to note:

1. Removing the lines from the radiator/cooler assembly only requires removing the clip at the connection point. Pull the clip off with needle nose pliers and the line should pull out. ***will post a pic later***

2. You do not need to remove the oil cooler manifold (the thing the oil filter screws into) to remove the lines. Depending on the year of your vehicle, there will either be two threaded fittings or a single bolt connecting the lines to the manifold. HOWEVER, there is a very good chance the seal between the oil cooler manifold and the engine block is leaking. So, after the lines have been removed it is a very good idea to remove the cooler manifold and replace the seals. The seals come as a kit, and are available cheap at your local automotive shop:

http://shop.oreillyauto.com/productdeta ... er=ES70016

Items needed for this repair job:
2-3' of 1/2" i.d. rubber hose
8 7/8" hose clamps
oil cooler manifold gasket kit

Tools needed:
ratchet set
needle nose pliers
metal hack saw
medium sized tubing cutter

****I will be adding more pix of the cooler manifold removal and service later today/tomorrow. I discovered my seals were leaking after I bolted everything back together! Hence, why it's a good idea to replace those seals while the lines are detached! *****

Re: Oil cooler line REPAIR

Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 1:45 pm
by snapple
Great write up! :supz:
I went the removal route with both my '94&'95, but I'm in a cooler environment. :cheers:

Re: Oil cooler line REPAIR

Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 3:18 pm
by Smiliesafari
Nice job. The double clamps are a good idea. Check them periodically. Those scew type clamps have a bad habit of loosening a bit over time. \:D/

Re: Oil cooler line REPAIR

Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:00 pm
by astrozam
Excellent repair info and pics, now we have 2 options for whatever suits a persons needs best. :cheers:

Re: Oil cooler line REPAIR

Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:28 am
by LiftedAWDAstro
Great write-up and even better pics!