Just installed Transmission Cooler; did I use the right hoses?

[Proximo]

Hey guys,

I just finished installing the B&M tranny cooler, and I used 3/8 in. fuel line and not transmission hose. I noticed afterward that the hose that came in the kit has white thread embedded in the rubber and looks a bit thicker.

Am I in trouble here? Will this cause a catastrophic failure or will it be okay for at least a few years? I couldn't find a definitive answer in the other threads.

 

[Saved]

There is no definitive answer to your question. First what do you mean by a few years? Two years or 5 or what? Many people use gas line for transmission hose or power steering hose. Usually the hose gets soft over time, but will normally hold, but that is not a guarantee. The right thing is to use the right hose as there is a reason for different material in those two different hoses. The thing is are you going to have peace of mind? If not replace it as soon as you can as the cost is very minimal compared to any distress you may suffer in worry or failure in the hose.

 

[4ever4running]

My advice would be to swap out the fuel hose for transmission hose as soon as possible. The transmission hose is thicker and reinfoced in order to withstand the higher temperatue fluid that the transmission produces. Fuel hose is not designed to withstand the high temperatues and could fail.

I don't know about "catastrophic failure" but you do run the risk of having the fuel hose fail, emptying your transmission fluid and overheading the transmission. If the hose fails, you are pretty much stuck until you can get it swapped out. Its worth the couple extra dollars and peace of mind to get the proper hose IMO.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

This reminds me, I need to take care of this little problem on my truck.

I made the same mistake on one of my 4Runners. The risk is that fuel line is not made to withstand heat/expansion the same way that transmission line does. Add to that, transmission fluid is highly flammable. If a line gets soft due to heat and ruptures, when that trans fluid comes out and sprays onto a hot exhaust manifold you could have an engine fire on your hands.

I accidentally put fuel line on one side of my transmission cooler installation, and it's been there for about 2 years w/no failure, but seeing this thread reminds me that I REALLY, REALLY need to get back in there and swap it out.

 

[oly4runner]

Since I have two t4Rs, I purchased 25 feet worth of high quality Hayden 126 transmission hoses from amazon a while back. These hoses are marketed to deal with pressure using a "double braided design", and "Made for tight radius applications found in transmission cooler installations", that gave me peace of mind.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure to keep some spare transmission hose, spare clamps, and light tools stashed in your rig at all times!

 

[Proximo]

Thanks for the input guys.

I think I will do that and pick some hose up just in case I need to replace it, but I'll take a wait-and-see approach.

Stopped by a hydraulic hose shop earlier and they told me that it should be fine; got the same answer from all the retailer auto parts stores (not one single store had transmission hose either [Autozone, O'reilly's, Advance]).

Although, I do think it is best to have more protection than less in general so I will swap it out at some point. Thanks again.

 

[waketek516]

Glad I read this today... I was about to go to the parts store on my break to pick up hose. Made sure to get TRANSMISSION hose for the job!

Thanks T4R.org!