Transmission Cooler Lines Broke - Easy & Cheap Fix

[jpbz28]

Reversed pipes???

So, I had the exact issue, and rigged a very similar fix. When I cut the pipes, I didn't mark which was which, and I'm not 100% sure I connected the correct lines together. Anyone know how to determine if I did swap the lines? Thanks in advance!

 

[grayharbinger47]

Super old thread, but super helpful

For two metal brake lines, clamps, pipe bender and plastic ties I payed $18 vs $75.

Just bought my 2003 4runner, was originally from PA, but 95% of frame and body were super clean. just the two ends were rusted, but discovered the trans lines in real bad shape. Now i can save the Moolah and just grab some brake line. thx dude

 

[Chris054runner]

Change Transmission Filter?

Hi everyone, I'm new here..

So, I had the exact same issue with the transmission lines corroding due to salt. (I live in Wisconsin)

All fixed and replaced, but time to refill transmission fluid.

I've been reading a lot of mixed feelings on full transmission flushes, so i'm leaning towards just draining pan, and refilling. With that said I have 2 questions:

Do you guys recommend I change out the Transmission Filter, while draining? (2005 v6 w/ 140k miles, and never had any issues)

How much ATF will I need with filter swap, too?

 

[AuSeeker]

Hi everyone, I'm new here..

So, I had the exact same issue with the transmission lines corroding due to salt. (I live in Wisconsin)

All fixed and replaced, but time to refill transmission fluid.

I've been reading a lot of mixed feelings on full transmission flushes, so i'm leaning towards just draining pan, and refilling. With that said I have 2 questions:

Do you guys recommend I change out the Transmission Filter, while draining? (2005 v6 w/ 140k miles, and never had any issues)

How much ATF will I need with filter swap, too?

IMHO there's no real need to change the screen (no filter, just a screen) since ii's just a screen and really doesn't get clogged, if you're just doing a drain and fill, around 3 to 4 quarts, if you do changed out the screen you need another quart, BUT since you had broken/rusted out/leaking lines you may need more, if I were you I would get at least 8 quarts, do your drain and fill and if you have 3+ quarts left over do another drain and fill in about 5,000 to 10,000 miles or 4 or 5 months later.

 

[Akito]

Hey guys,

So I just had to do this fix on my '03 w/ 200k(kms) on it. Noticed it leaking earlier this week and since i'm going to be towing the boat this weekend I figured it better get fixed. Dealer wanted $80cdn per line in/out of the transmission, but they didn't have stock.
I ended up going to a parts store and getting 3/8 brake lines. One gotcha is that the lower line has a longer fitting (threaded part) than a standard brake line. I ended up re-using the existing fitting.
I splurged on nickel/copper lines since I find bending them so much easier.
Parts were $40cdn w/ ATF fluid.

 

[SCY7H3]

hrmm, wrapping the tubes with rubber hose might protect it in one sense but hurt it in another. If any water or saltwater gets in there it'll sit and eat at the green paint and tubes. Rubberized undercoating is another way to protect them from rusting as well. And possibly rubber hose over top.

 

[AV8eer]

lessons learned

So, I got the Dorman product from AutoZone and surprise...it was made in China. Not cool. They also cut me some 11/32 Power Steering hose when I asked for AT hose. This is probably just getting returned...Not AT hose, Not 3/8". The 11/32 can be forced on, but, from an engineering standpoint, at that amount of stretching, it would be asking for the hose to crack and leak. I had a low quality helper from AutoZone. They're not normally this incompetent.

Then I went to Toyota to get the right hose. They took care of me...one hose was $35 though...the other was $13. A one inch difference cost me $22 more. That's absurd. At any rate, if I had it to do all over again, I would get the hard line set from Toyota for the extra $10...and get the ATF hose in 3/8" from a reputable online place. About 6' would take care of all of your needs.

I replaced two of the hoses because the old lines corroded inside the hose and I had to cut them back an inch to ensure I would not introduce rust when running the new fittings into the hoses.

I did the steel brake lines as a temporary fix, but, wanted to get it back to looking like it should...

Learning the hard way costs some coin.

Cheers!

 

[mijbr90190]

Just went through this on my 06. Luckily I caught it at a drip. Went to advance got 3/8id transmission cooler hose, 4 male to male 3/8 brass barb fittings, some zipties and 8 worm drive clamps. Under 30 bucks and I dont gotta worry about it rusting.

Was very intimidated by the transmission filling process as I have a sealed one. Use the temp gun method. The variation in temp required is enough that the pan shouldn't be that much different. Used a manual transfer pump and gave her 1/4qt before opening up the check plug. Steady stream went to a slow drip very quickly. Took her for a spin and it drove just fine. A week later and it's still dry.

 

[Johnny Barefoot]

Had the same problem initially

03 4runner pennsylvania 120,000 miles snow and road salt.

I fixed my cooler lines under the radiator in the same way. cut out the bad rusted and leaking piping and put in longer hoses. wire tied it above the cross bar just under rad.

Examined the rest of the piping at tranny, slightly rusted but looked OK.

Got a surprise. The cooler outlet steel pipe had slightly burst right beyond the tranny fitting (I assume due to heat exposure 1 inch from exhaust integrated cat converter. along with 15 years of wet, road salt and heat up cool down).

cooler tube had small split in it

got OEM inlet and outlet tubes from conicelli toyota parts. Fun time changing but got it done $100.00

Keep an eye on your tranny cooling tubes

 

[Jcmeadows82]

as to hard Lines failing...

I just replaced a lower power steering return (hard line) due to a pinhole in it from rust overtime. The replacement was about 40 bucks (Not OEM, Sunsong was the supplier) and getting it out/in was like a jigsaw puzzle, but I managed, and the rubber hoses are INSANELY hard to get off the lines. Took the rubber hoses off and primed and painted the metal lines and brackets with Rustoleum for "funzies". I will have more Lines to replace up front, and I will be replacing with aftermarket stuff. Rust is your enemy. As soon as I have the cred, i will be starting my own thread to document some of the stuff I have done for future generations.

 

[ShaunMcIntyre]

Gentleman, I finally have an opportunity to buy a 4runner. I have found a good deal and I am told the transmission line is rusted through so I have not driven it yet. I bought a transmission line to install before purchase. I have a question since I cannot get to it right now, what else will I need to change it? I have the Dorman 624-279 but it didn't come with any hardware. I would like to have everything I need when I go to install the line.


Thanks in advance

 

[Tyler992]

Info:

2004 SR5 V6 4X4
145,000 Miles

Honestly I think this was all do to salt and weather over time as the metal lines started to rust and basically with time it corroded and started to leak. I have some rust on the under carrage of course this comes with time/age, salt and weather. So of course the transmission lines started to rust and eventually rust won and caused a leak.

I am slowly replacing things underneath like brake lines, bolts and other things a little at a time.

Whether anyone has rust or not I would recommend looking underneath for things that have rusted and replace them little bits over time. I only wrote this up for those who might have rust underneath or may need to replace these things in the future.

Note: I had never heard of this issue before ether until I talked to the Toyota mechanic who said, it is more common than most know. Basically some people drive around forever with a small small leak in the transmission cooler lines but it drips onto the skid plate and dries up or flies off while driving down the road. Its never enough to cause a puddle underneath because its only a small amount that is landing on the skid plate. Again with this it dries or flies off while driving down the road. In my case it was a nice huge hole and it basically busted bigger due to pressure. The dealership is a Toyota and Honda dealership in one and the mechanic said it was common with both autos.

So it's just nice to take a look underneath and if it's an issue or you notice even rust. Then just perform the fix I did myself and change the transmission fluid out while your at it.

Remind you on my 04 it was not the closed transmission. My transmission has a drain plug and you refill through the dip stick tube.

Thanks

Yup, same things happening to me now. Do you know where I can find OEM lines for my 2000 4runner. I can't seem to find it on the Toyota site.

 

[sonic4runner]

this picture helped. I didn't know what these lines were called but I knew it was leaking on the bottom tube right at the bracket and was not sure what it was called. i've ordered a part for it to replace and install myself. Is there anything I need to watch out for when I do that? It looks like I just have to undo the 2 clamps on each side, and insert the new tube assembly. I believe that this has been leaking for a bit so am worried that it needs a transmission fluid fill at least and a change. It's a sealed transmission, so I'm a bit hesitant to do myself but the forum talks about people doing the drain/fill without much problem.

 

[Drcoffee]

Just my $0.02 worth. If the steel lines are rotted out, the rubber hose is also aging. Mine were soft and weak. Instead of replacing the steel lines, buy 6’ of Gates 3/8” ID ATF hose and run two new lines from the tranny steel lines by the front of the engine, under the fan shroud and up to the radiator ports. Might be a good time to add a transmission cooler too. Leave the steel lines in place and zip tie the new hoses to it. Then use spiral wire wrap to protect the hose wherever it will contact metal parts like the frame. Done and done. You don’t need the steel lines at all. These are low pressure cooler lines. In fact with every joint, you add one more leak-point.

If your truck is 10 yrs old and 150k+ miles, who cares if its still 100% stock anymore. But be sure to use 3/8” ID hose. 11/32” hose has 17% smaller volume IIRC.

 

[Toystory2]

Info:

2004 SR5 V6 4X4
145,000 Miles

Honestly I think this was all do to salt and weather over time as the metal lines started to rust and basically with time it corroded and started to leak. I have some rust on the under carrage of course this comes with time/age, salt and weather. So of course the transmission lines started to rust and eventually rust won and caused a leak.

I am slowly replacing things underneath like brake lines, bolts and other things a little at a time.

Whether anyone has rust or not I would recommend looking underneath for things that have rusted and replace them little bits over time. I only wrote this up for those who might have rust underneath or may need to replace these things in the future.

Note: I had never heard of this issue before ether until I talked to the Toyota mechanic who said, it is more common than most know. Basically some people drive around forever with a small small leak in the transmission cooler lines but it drips onto the skid plate and dries up or flies off while driving down the road. Its never enough to cause a puddle underneath because its only a small amount that is landing on the skid plate. Again with this it dries or flies off while driving down the road. In my case it was a nice huge hole and it basically busted bigger due to pressure. The dealership is a Toyota and Honda dealership in one and the mechanic said it was common with both autos.

So it's just nice to take a look underneath and if it's an issue or you notice even rust. Then just perform the fix I did myself and change the transmission fluid out while your at it.

Remind you on my 04 it was not the closed transmission. My transmission has a drain plug and you refill through the dip stick tube.

Thanks

9 years later and this post is helping me! Thanks great advice also about checking and replacing things as you go!

 

[MacRendar]

9 years later and this post is helping me! Thanks great advice also about checking and replacing things as you go!

Wish I'd seen this a few weeks earlier as I had this problem and it was a total bear finding the right part (expensive too). Trans cooler lines and all power steering lines were leaking, lmao.

 

[Toystory2]

Wish I'd seen this a few weeks earlier as I had this problem and it was a total bear finding the right part (expensive too). Trans cooler lines and all power steering lines were leaking, lmao.

I need to check ps as well. But I’ll probably just buy replacement trans cooler lines. How hard was the replacement?

 

[metramm]

I just had this part replaced on my 2006 4runner.

Part was $125

Labor was $92

Purchased and installed at Toyota of Naperville Illinois.

I thought the labor was a great price as they quoted me $262 initially.

All set now.

 

[TLChip]

PA 08 v8 checking in, came home and saw lots of drops under the wifes 4R. Quickly jacked it up and snapped a picture before bed. Thought it was oil at first but appears to be tranny cooler hard lines.

Picture is taken from above passenger side CV axle with skids still on. Had a really hard time finding a part number for these lines on the FSM/Toyota parts websites.

EDIT: I believe these are the ones I need

3292160380 - Tube, oil cooler inlet, no. 1. Transmission, driveline - Genuine Toyota Part

3292260410 - Tube, oil cooler outlet, no. 1. Transmission, driveline - Genuine Toyota Part