pind

Guys with Autos.

Just a small heads up on this one. I recently had to change the cooler line section from the rear heat exchanger to the front cooler on the 05, because it had rubbed the plastic coolant line to the rear exchanger on the engine, and pinholed the aluminum line.

This is the aluminum line that has flared fittings at both ends, or the upper of the two that run behind the stock fuel filter, then over to the cooler connections by the power steering pump.

Thinking this was just bad luck, I managed to locate a used line, which shows signs of having rubbed, but was not as bad. This led me to check several other trucks with the same setup, and ALL the upper lines had rubbed on that plastic coolant line, with the worst of them almost worn through.

Perhaps just for fun, you might want to check yours. If there are signs of contact, simply guard both lines with rubber hose sections, or plastic loom, and tie-wrap them apart.

Local dealer quoted $276CDN for the line section. Barely 2 feet long. I don't think so.

Roadmedic

Lost mine last year.

13 inch line and was 135.00.

It was rubbed.

jlipskoc

Please take a picture and post it.

I think this would helps us all out. Thanks

pind

If you look through the driver's side wheel opening, past the inner fender, where it clears the shock tower, you can see the heat exchanger, and all the lines I am talking about. It should be crystal clear at that point.

They are harder to see from the top, as you have to look past the fuel filter housing.

jlipskoc

Ok, This might be the same spot where another thread discussed, I put heater hose on that early in the year, mine was very close, but showed no signs of rubbing. You said plastic lines, sorry got me confused. As thats rubber line and metal line that makes contact. I'll see if I can find that thread, think it had a pic.

pind

There is a rubber elbow, and a plastic line. Then the aluminum tranny line. The aluminum line actually hits the plastic, just above the rubber elbow.

jlipskoc

I'm gonna have to admit, I can't find a plastic line, I looked everywhere and atleast made sure the lines weren't touching. The blowby tube was the only thing close, everything else appeared ok. Maybe they changed this on 06's? or the previous owner did. Heres a bunch of pics. Let me know if you see anything I'm missing. I did the red heater line hose a while back, there wasn't any rub marks, but I covered it to make sure.

Thanks,
John.

jlipskoc

more pics....

jlipskoc

from underneath.

If you find something, circle the area and upload the pic, I'll double check that area. Thanks

thor1721

thanks for the heads up

pind

Excellent shots.

On your trucks, the rubber line to the bottom left ( in the picture) of the heat exchanger, is the problem on this 05. However. On this particular truck, the line is actually plastic ( or phenolic ) and is joined to the lower port on the heat exchanger by a rubber elbow and two spring clamps.

All the trucks I have checked so far ( 03 - 07), have a plastic line with the rubber elbow and spring clamps. As curiousity and time permit, I will check other ones and see how many of each I find.

EPCO

THANK YOU PIND! Mine is almost, if not already, worn through. Definately a big groove worn into both lines. I do not see or feel any fluid, but if you look at the lines there is some brown discoloration. What do think the brown coloration is from? I would feel fluid if it was worn through all of the way right? I wrapped some garden hose and foam around it.

pind

EPCO

you have the exact same setup as on the 05 I dealt with here.

You should be able to see/feel oil and or coolant if there are any actual leaks. That said, they may be just starting to weep.

The plastic line on this one was fine, no groove in it, but the aluminum line was worn/pinholed.

Just another way that they chintz out on newer vehicles. Oh well.

Good luck with it