Transmission cooler line leaks.

[TechWrench]

Just a heads up for those of you with some miles/time on their ride, especially if you live in a snow state that uses salt on the roads. Today, while doing an oil and filter change, just before a trip downstate, I noted trans fluid on the engine oil pan, and on the lower skid pans. After finishing draining the engine pan and changing the filter, I started looking for the source of the fluid. I found one of the steel lines mounted on the bottom of the front cross member under the radiator was leaking just where it connected to one of the flexible hoses going to the lines back to the trans. First I thought a clamp had gone bad, but when I tried to remove the spring clamp with a set of pliers, the hose broke loose from the metal tubing. There was a considerable amount of rust for about an inch or so, just before the hose. The tubing was rotted almost all the way through, and leaking pretty good when the engine was running. :wow:

Called the local dealer, and they didn't have the tube set in stock, but ordered one, and it will be in on Tuesday - $79.99. So, I cut back the rotted tubing to a straight section, and installed a longer piece of hose with two clamps over it. I checked the fluid level, and was only down 1 quart, so I topped if off, and all is good for now. Because I park on a dirt/gravel driveway, I didn't see any evidence of a leak prior to going under to change the oil. I had thought about waiting until I got back from my trip to do the oil change, but fortunately didn't wait. I can just imagine getting half way down, and having the trans start to act up because it was low on fluid. I am kinda surprised that the steel tube, which is coated, rotted through already. It is only 6.5 years old, with 80k. I will have to take a close look at the rest of the steel tubing ASAP, like the brake lines.............:wow2:

 

[CJ3Flyr]

That sucks!

I wonder if Kmvreter's anti-rust electronic box helps with that type of problem.


Some of Toyota stories of late remind me of early 80's Honda's. Absolutely great vehicles with serious shortcomings caused by lack of corrosion control.:moping:

 

[TechWrench]

That sucks!

I wonder if Kmvreter's anti-rust electronic box helps with that type of problem.


Some of Toyota stories of late remind me of early 80's Honda's. Absolutely great vehicles with serious shortcomings caused by lack of corrosion control.:moping:

I don't know about that anti-rust deal, I guess I am too old fashioned and tend to suspect that type of product as less than advertised.............

As for the Honda's in the early 80's, I know all too well about that problem. I worked for a Honda dealership as a line mechanic during that period, and what we 'lovingly' called the rust-buster campaign was quite something. I cant begin to count how many front frame crossmembers and strut tubes we replaced during that period. I still remember the punch tool we had to use to determine whether we were to clean and coat the part with an underbody rust spray, or replace it with new. Fortunately, in later years, Honda seemed to get the rust problem under control, somewhat...........

 

[CJ3Flyr]

A friend of mine worked in a CT Honda dealership during that era. He told me stories of this dealer installed electronic anti-rust gizmo that they pimped. I am sure it would be similar to Kmvreter's device and to that Mercury Marine has been using for years.

Back then he reported that the cars with it looked great at 2-4years old while the ones without were "in trouble" with rust. He showed me some with and without; big difference. I remember looking at the strut towers/fender liners under the hood it was amazing. His claim was it did not stop all rust/surface corrosion but it reduced it dramatically. The "issue" they had was two-fold: 1) If the car didn't run every 10-15 days the battery would be dead. 2) They had sacrificial anodes that needed to be replaced every year two. It was no big deal, just cheap zincs but it had to be done.

:cheers:

 

[TechWrench]

A friend of mine worked in a CT Honda dealership during that era. He told me stories of this dealer installed electronic anti-rust gizmo that they pimped. I am sure it would be similar to Kmvreter's device and to that Mercury Marine has been using for years.

Back then he reported that the cars with it looked great at 2-4years old while the ones without were "in trouble" with rust. He showed some some with and without; big difference. I remember looking at the strut towers/fender liners under the hood it was amazing. His claim was it did not stop all rust/surface corrosion but it reduced it dramatically. The "issue" they had was two-fold: 1) If the car didn't run every 10-15 days the battery would be dead. 2) They had sacrificial anodes that needed to be replaced every year two. It was no big deal, just cheap zincs but it had to be done.

:cheers:

I wonder if installing one of these devices on an older vehicle, with already established rust, will still be effective as starting with a new vehicle?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I wonder if installing one of these devices on an older vehicle, with already established rust, will still be effective as starting with a new vehicle?

I would think it would immediately begin to slow the rusting. I would try one of if in that climate. I have wasted $100-$200 on other crap that I've regretted. If it helped even somewhat I would think it was money well spent.

I know in the marine world these type of devices essentially 'halt' the corrosion where it is...
:cheers:

 

[rook]

Thanks for sharing this info. Looks like I have some investigating to do before winter sets in... let's see that gives me about 3 days..