oil cooler line tech.

[cwillis]

So I disassembled my leaky oil cooler line down to the hard parts.

http://i28.tinypic.com/2ur5dzp.jpg


The ends are about identical

http://i25.tinypic.com/a2rtk8.jpg


My question is can i just find some hose that fits and use some super torqued hose clamps to fix this? Is the oil pressure too great?

I would live to fix this for like 4 bucks worth of hose since i have a family of 4 on E-3 pay.

[Subzilla]

Yes, but use the best clamps you can find and I even used double clamps when I repaired mine some 4 years ago. Jim B did an article on how to do this very thing which described "dremeling" the aluminum crimped cover in half, then hose clamping the whole thing.

Just check the clamps at regular intervals. I've never had any issues.

[DmaxMaverick]

Clamping with new engine oil compatible hose will be fine. Be sure to use constant tension clamps (I think that's what they're called). JK (http://www.kennedydiesel.com/) sells them, but they're not listed on his site. The same clamps he supplies with his fuel filter kits. Give him a call. They were about $2 each, IIRC, but worth the peace of mind.

[More Power]

There have been a few people who took their hard lines to a hydraulics shop, and had them install new hydraulic hose and compression fittings. Cost usually runs about 60-70% of what new GM lines cost, but the fittings are of a better quality than OE and should last longer.

If you use just clamps, I'd recommend using safety-wire to anchor the clamped ends onto the tubing. Otherwise, the spector of a blow-off will remain a possibility. :(

Jim

[DmaxMaverick]

If a person were to make this an involved project, there is a much better option. The lines are aluminum, and can be coupled correctly. They should be double-flared, and Aeroquip AN (or compatible) fittings used on the hose. With this, the line-hose coupling would no longer be an issue. Ever. The fittings are inexpensive, and can be had from suppliers like Northern Tool or Summit, some hardware stores, farm supply stores, and nearly any full service tractor supply/shop. They are common in the ag, trucking, aircraft, and racing industries. Many shops will install the fittings for cheap or free. A flaring kit can be had at your local hardware store, Lowes, Home Depot, etc, for not much money, or it can be done at many of the above shops.