Quarterwave Posted December 11, 2018 Share Posted December 11, 2018 Hi everyone What I thought was a leaking power steering line has turned out to be a leaking trans cooler line. From what I can tell, there is a connection from a hose coming from the trans cooler to the line which has been clamped and when under pressure, the fluid is leaking from there, down some lines and onto the steering box (which is what initially led me to think it was power steering fluid). Anyway, the following pics are in sequence from the cooler to where the lines run parallel to the frame rails going back to the transmission. After looking at the blow apart diagrams on this site, I can't seem to determine what I need as the coolers in those diagrams look different to what I have. Also - I have a 4 core aluminum radiator - could that be why a factory steel line was not used to the existing line? If so, what are my options? Buy all new Ford parts and work my way forward from the lines at the trans connection all the way to the front mount cooler? The cooler itself is not leaking, but every time I've tried to make a double-flared line I've failed and spent a lot of time doing it! As always, any insight is appreciated. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve83 Posted December 11, 2018 Share Posted December 11, 2018 Yes, the aftermarket radiator is the reason the hard lines aren't screwed into it. In the 90s, Ford simply clamped a short rubber hose to the straight-cut steel tubing between the O2A cooler & the return line, just behind the front bumper. It usually leaks after a decade or 2, but it's cheap to replace with modern "ATF cooler" rubber hose, which is improved & less-likely to leak. https://supermotors.net/getfile/1142332/thumbnail/20181009_152002.jpg So I'd just cut off the unneeded factory flared ends (FAR back from the flares, so you can save those ends in case you ever need to put them back on) and clamp on some new rubber hose. I'd also add an external filter, as Ford recommends. https://supermotors.net/getfile/1142312/thumbnail/20181022_162438.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted December 11, 2018 Share Posted December 11, 2018 Yes, the aftermarket radiator is the reason the hard lines aren't screwed into it. In the 90s, Ford simply clamped a short rubber hose to the straight-cut steel tubing between the O2A cooler & the return line, just behind the front bumper. It usually leaks after a decade or 2, but it's cheap to replace with modern "ATF cooler" rubber hose, which is improved & less-likely to leak. https://supermotors.net/getfile/1142332/thumbnail/20181009_152002.jpg So I'd just cut off the unneeded factory flared ends (FAR back from the flares, so you can save those ends in case you ever need to put them back on) and clamp on some new rubber hose. I'd also add an external filter, as Ford recommends. https://supermotors.net/getfile/1142312/thumbnail/20181022_162438.jpg I agree with Steve. Just replace the hose with good, modern hose, but ditch the flares as you can't get the right size of hose over the flare. And, I'd double-clamp the hoses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quarterwave Posted December 11, 2018 Author Share Posted December 11, 2018 I agree with Steve. Just replace the hose with good, modern hose, but ditch the flares as you can't get the right size of hose over the flare. And, I'd double-clamp the hoses. Ok, thanks guys. Is this 5/16th size hose? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve83 Posted December 11, 2018 Share Posted December 11, 2018 Ok, thanks guys. Is this 5/16th size hose? Last time I bought ATF hose, it was only available in 1 size; probably 5/16". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quarterwave Posted December 11, 2018 Author Share Posted December 11, 2018 Last time I bought ATF hose, it was only available in 1 size; probably 5/16". Ok, thanks Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85lebaront2 Posted December 12, 2018 Share Posted December 12, 2018 Last time I bought ATF hose, it was only available in 1 size; probably 5/16". That's why I had to use fuel hose, Chrysler uses 3/8" on the A413/31TH and A604/41TE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quarterwave Posted December 14, 2018 Author Share Posted December 14, 2018 Guys - how can I tell which is the "to" and which is the "from"? The filter I ordered arrived last night and it has a flow direction on it. So, I just want to be sure I install it correctly. Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 Guys - how can I tell which is the "to" and which is the "from"? The filter I ordered arrived last night and it has a flow direction on it. So, I just want to be sure I install it correctly. Thanks in advance! That's a really good question. I'll see if the shop manual shows. The illustrations don't: Driveline/Transmissions/Automatic/C6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 That's a really good question. I'll see if the shop manual shows. The illustrations don't: Driveline/Transmissions/Automatic/C6. I can't find anything in the catalog that tells me which way the fluid flows. Maybe Bill knows? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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