Did I screw the pooch?

RunninInGA

RunninInGA

New member
So I installed the new radiator and tranny cooler today. Got it all buttoned back up and cleaned up my tools and mess. In the middle of throwing away the trash, I see in the fine print (not really) on the tranny cooler instructions (I'm a guy, we don't read this bull sh1t) that it clearly states not to use fuel line, which I just did. That was all autozone had in stock and the dude behind the counter assured me it would be fine to use.

Did I screw the pooch on this one and do I need to find tranny line and replace the fuel lines I ran?
 
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I don't put ANY stock into what a parts guy tells me. Countermen used to know their stuff, but those days are lone gone.

The pressure and temperature ratings of Fuel and Tranny hose are different. Tranny hose is made with much higher ratings. You can use the fuel hose, but it won't last as long before it starts to get mushy. As we have seen lately, ATF is not something last you want spraying into a hot engine compartment.

I know of one shop installed an Aux. tranny cooler with fuel hose. One year later the hose failed, sprayed the exhaust manifold and burned that mother down.
 
A.Wilson013 said:
I am not sure what temp. fuel line is rated at... That's the only thing I can imagine being an issue...?
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I installed in series and reused stock send line from tranny to radiator. Fuel line from radiator to cooler and back to tranny. Read on bob oil guys forum somebody asking same question. Consensus questioned whether or not ATF would degrade fuel line or not - not so much pressure or temp rating. ATF line wall is noticeably thicker though.

Just don't want to dump ATF on highway, ruining tranny or possibly burning up a perfectly good Runner. Was gonna hit Summitt Racing tomorrow for a fire extinguisher anyway and will prob pick up some tranny hose to go ahead and make it right.
 
Some poor professional instructions writer who writes English as a second language is sitting in his basement right now shaking his head...

Kidding. Good to know, though, as I'm doing this in a few weeks.
 
Socco said:
I don't put ANY stock into what a parts guy tells me. Countermen used to know their stuff, but those days are lone gone.

The pressure and temperature ratings of Fuel and Tranny hose are different. Tranny hose is made with much higher ratings. You can use the fuel hose, but it won't last as long before it starts to get mushy. As we have seen lately, ATF is not something last you want spraying into a hot engine compartment.

I know of one shop installed an Aux. tranny cooler with fuel hose. One year later the hose failed, sprayed the exhaust manifold and burned that mother down.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. Counter guys are equivalent to burger flippers and I should have done my own research before install. It won't take long to do the right way and will be cheap piece of mind.
 
Nashvegas34 said:
Some poor professional instructions writer who writes English as a second language is sitting in his basement right now shaking his head...

Kidding. Good to know, though, as I'm doing this in a few weeks.
Click to expand...

He's chanting the Chinese equivalent of "sucker!"
 
RunninInGA said:
Thanks for the reply. Counter guys are equivalent to burger flippers and I should have done my own research before install. It won't take long to do the right way and will be cheap piece of mind.
Click to expand...

If you want counter guys that aren't re****s try a local auto parts store. The local guys are normally more knowledgeable than the chain s(h)ucks auto parts or the other chain.
 
It's easy enough to change out that no, you didn't screw the pooch. But it's not a bad idea to swap it out and make it right. I used heater hose for mine.
 
..wow good thing i caught this thread..because i installed mine and just brought a chunk of the old tube and told the counter guy I needed 4 feet of new hoses....and now you mention it..I did check it one time and it felt really really hot..almost soft. well..gotta do that again. Thanks guys
 
Thanks guys. Appreciate the responses. Gonna get some actual tranny line today as mentioned above and do the job the right way. piece of mind is a beautiful thing.
 
Ok, slightly more confused now. Parts guy at Summit was gonna sell me the exact same line I purchased at autozone - Goodyear fuel line. He said that's what they sell as tranny line to individuals as well as repair shops etc and that it's ok to use for my application.

When I pulled back in the garage from coming back (a 20 minute drive there, inside for 20 minutes, and a 20 minute return trip) I measured temp using an infrared gun. top of radiator was 84 degrees Celsius, top of tranny cooler (hot side) was 34 Celsius, bottom of cooler was 21 Celsius. Lines were warm to touch only.

Guess I'll call a trans shop this week for their opinion on the lines. Anyone have any advice? I'm not sure if I've not "done the job right" at this point.
 
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