According to the man from Massdiesel, I will loose about 1/4 of a quart changing out the line. Does that sound about right? I expect some fluid to come out, but how fast. I plan on loosening the old line first. But which end first, do you need someone else to keep a finger over the open ends?. I would think the bottom 1st then the top. This will be a one man operation, is this possible? I keep picturing the transmission fluid running all over the place.

 

Kevin
I installed this line and lost about 1 qt. of fluid, I ended up wrapping a towel around my fore arm to keep the fluid out of my arm pit. Don't laugh it worked. I disconnected the bottom line first then after it drained off of the cooler I took off the top one. While the line was draining I stuffed a rubber wine cork into the trany out port to keep the loss down, Looking back, about laying under a 4 wheel truck, jacked up I think I would just go to a tranny shop and let them do the install next time.

 

You are probably right about a transmission place doing it. I stopped by the dealer today and they told me they can't put in aftermarket stuff. But thought it was a good idea. I bought 2 quarts of the ATF transmission there and planned on doing it myself. Reading your thread, I remembered a local shop ( they have been good to me before). Called them and they could do it, he wants to see what I have first. He said about (2) hours ($120) to do it. I just can't get excited about crawling under and getting fluid all over . Thanks for the input.

 

Its not that hard at all.
And for the $120 you just saved yourself, you can pretend it was free.

 

I showed the mechanic the tube I needed to install. He thought it would only take an hour. It will be just time & material. I don't mind paying him, he has ben honest in the past. I does seem like a lot of $ for something I could do myself. It is too hard to do a project like that at my house. The wife & kid make sure there is no free time at home.

 

One last thing Kevin, If you do this don't over tighten the fittings. I used thread tape on all the threads. I snugged the cooler fitting, the upper one down good and snug and drove for a few days and then I checked again. There was a tiny leak on the upper fitting. I turned this about one quarter of a turn more and now no more leak !

 

Fox, to bad you couldnt spare a few hours, you are about hour from me and I would do it for free. It takes about 20-40 mins for the pipe and flex hose. I just replaced the flex line with a stainless steel since the factory was looking a little rough from the salty winters. Did it during a tranny fluid change. You do not need telfon tape or sealant, the fittings are flared so if the mating surface are true, no nicks or gouges it will seal just fine. You can use Valvolines ATF+4 to top off as you will lose a little fluid and make a small mess.

Dave

 

I appreciate your offer Dave, I would'nt mind the drive. I always look for any excuse to pass Delevan, the mexican restaurant up there is good stuff.I dont want to impose on your weekend. Saturday afternoon would be the only time that would work for me. This Easter weekend kind of messes up the plans. I currently plan on getting it done Tuesday.

 

Well this weekend could not wait, so I put everything in. I was not too bad. Installed the overhead in the afternoon 1/2 hour tops. I used a clean rag and wrapped a few rubberbands at the end.Then put the rag in the low end of the transmision tube and changed the top first. The only fluid was from the old tube. I started at 9:30 pm and finished 2:00 am. Looks real nice till I had to wind up the slack wire under the dash. I have a small leak in the MassDiesel transmission line. I tighten it up and still leaks a small amount. It is just the top of the blue coupling. I already had an appiontment with the mechanic to do the job, so I wll have him tighten it up. I want him to look it over. The flex part just is not as straight as I would like. I read about overtightening so I had been just snuging and checking the one leak.

 

The gages I used were the ISSPRO from Dieselmanor. A Pyro & Transmission, overhead mount. Nice match day & night you guys were right.

 

Finally got around to installing my line also. It's not bad. Took about 10 minutes and lost about a pint of fluid. I did not used thread tape. No need because it is a compression fitting. Don't want the crap to get into my tranny either.

 

It took me a while to get the transmission port where it needed to be. My vice and tools are in the basement. I only lost what was in the old tube. The only mistake I made was tap into the wrong ogange/ brown wire at the light switch . Should have used #4 terminal, not #2. I did'nt go too fast kind of nervous with it, 5100 miles and start drilling and all that stuff.

 

Yeap, it is somewhat nerve racking. I installed mine with the test port loose. Tightened it up on the truck. I had pre-installed the sender. I used to be a mechanic and I don't think I have turned a wrench but maybe 5 times in the last 3 years. I did enjoy installing this unit. Hmmm, looks like it took 6 years and a few months to get over it being a job.