If you still have a leak after that, it's time to investigate the metal lines. When your Ford requires a top quality replacement Transmission Cooler, there's no need to trust any store other than the authority, Car Parts Discount. Mine were leaking too, making a big mess in the driveway, and I finally got around to changing them this winter. The other option like brooklyn bay said is to get a compression fitting with a straight barbed end. You're right, the Haynes manual was no help. I placed a cup underneith to catch the little bit of leaking transmission fluid and to try to avoid making a mess. I used a hayden transmission cooler good for vehicles up to 25000 lbs To start the task I tool off my bumper to get better access to the trans lines and to figure out where I was going to mount the transmission cooler, I realized after you probably do not need to take the bumper off, but its much easier and its just 4 bolts.
If it doesn't work pull the engine back forward… 5 years. Another reason to flare the lines. This is right where the enter and return line meet. We've worked hard over 11 years designing a website experience that makes it easy for anyone to idenify whether parts fit their car. I will make this suggestion for others in the future, I don't think it will help now. Get a Chiltons or similar manual Block front wheels, raise rear, put jack stands. Earlier models, pre 2002, had a dipstick and you could check fluid levels and top-up the fluid.
I did the same mod about a year ago with the exception that I used 2 hose clamps on each of the unflared lines that were cut. Thanks Dick Click to expand. Your Ford Explorer transmission oil cooler performs a similar function to your radiator, but it dissipates the heat from your transmission fluid rather than your engine coolant. I attempted this and spent a day trying to get the level of fluid right. The compression fitting idea seems like a great idea and I just might convert to that one day. Also this helps for people who do not have factory transmission coolers like me Items you will need: Transmission cooler Rags Tubing cutter Transmission hose high psi and high temp Hose clamps Transmission fluid Zip ties Plastic Cup or anything to catch leaking tranny fluid Ratchet and various sockets for bumper To start I got my explorer in the garage and got all my tools ready.
The fluid did not smell or look like transmission fluid but I figured I would throw the clamp on anyway. Look at your 4th pic from the top. There's no reason to delay. I than cut the tube after the 2nd bend where the return and enter line seperate Here is a picture of the lines attached. It is probably ok as is but the lines are under pressure. .
Thanks Dick Although it's important to keep the fluid cool, it's also important to keep the fluid at the correct operating temperature. Then an special fitting crushes that ferrule into the pipe and the nut is behind it. As of now i believe its the Transmission oil cooler lines. Which area do you have the leak? You will want to take that in to get topped off if it needs it, unless you are handy. It depends on the yr of the vehicle. Just a heads up to keep an eye on it. I ended up using 8 qts trying to get the right level of fluid.
The critical factor with these trannies seems to be the volume of fluid in the tranny. I had to buy a hand pump and it took forever. I use an arrangement like this to flush my trans. Russ Welcome to this forum! You purchased your Explorer because its reliability and American engineering agreed with your nature; so why would you be okay with second rate when it comes to superior quality auto parts? You enjoy taking care of your Explorer. Once the bumper was off I started on the actual cooler install. Ford doesn't sell replacements, you have to remove the existing and fit up to stock lines, and bend to match. For the home mechanic this is a very difficult procedure and ill advised to attempt if there are no issues with the tranny.
Your transmission temperature cannot exceed the temperature of your engine, so make sure your transmission cooler is in proper working order. When I install my cooler, I will bypass the radiator as the proper size cooler will more than do the job. Of course you need to know the diameter of the hoses. Doing the rubber lines is much easier, and they are probably shot anyway. Without the right level the tranny would stick, crunch and thud.
While it may not be difficult to locate replacement parts for Ford vehicles, these days only the absolute best are required to fix your car or truck. Look at figures I-J on the right side. Very nice, but I would flare the metal ends of steel tubing for added retention. Other thing is the leak by your power steering rack under the tube fitting. I've thought about having it done, because I don't like the look of the rust on there, and it looks like a pain in the keister to replace them myself without a lift, etc. Replace the rubber lines and hose clamps, many people suggest doubling up on the clamps. Buying new Ford parts from www.
At Car Parts Discount, we have real customer support agents here with enough expertise to help you purchase the correct Ford Explorer part for your needs. The temperature of the fluid will increase faster if it's going through the radiator. However, after I replaced the rubber lines, I have no more leak, so the metal lines weren't actually leaking after all. No fun to access these at all. I had a very hard time getting the tubing on the lines so I know its tight and I do have the hose clamps on right now which seem to be working.
Sort of related, but brake lines have to be double flared. I found that lower line on the clip is the return line I seperated the two lines since they were clipped together and mocked up where I was going to place the cooler and where to cut the actual transmission line. The transmission does not have a dip stick, you will have to add the fluid at the body of the transmission. Please call for customer service and availability at 1-800-858-7269. Leave it to a pro, not necessarily a dealer but a reputable shop that can do the job and not charge an arm and a leg. Also where can I buy the fittings? The fluid is pumped into the tranny through the drain plug with a special adapter tool. If I find in a couple days that the hoses look to be slipping I will probably try to flarre the tubes, but for right now it seems ok.