plug cooler lines

[jim]

I have to replace a radiator.  In the past I have had trouble keeping fluid from running out of the cooler lines
where I disconnected them from the radiator.
I tried tying a rubber glove on the ends and it didn't work too well.
I could use some suggestions - preferably something easy.

[thereverendbill]

harbor frieght sells plastic crimp off plyers (they are BRIGHT orange) pretty cheap and they work great  when removing lines that like to dribble

[txjeeptx]

Lisle Tools also has hose pinch-off clamps, or a carefully applied pair of Vise-Grip pliers can be used.

[thereverendbill]

the other route i go at work when dealing with trans cooler lines is I use a piece of rubber hose and hose clamps to loop the system (so the car can be driven around the shop with no radiator in it)

[PatrickH]

If you have the steel lines up to the rad fittings, just put a rubber vacuum cap on the end of the liine. Or some short rubber line with a bolt in the end. If you loop with longer hose you can still drive the car a short distance as bill stated.

[mudkicker715]

the other route i go at work when dealing with trans cooler lines is I use a piece of rubber hose and hose clamps to loop the system (so the car can be driven around the shop with no radiator in it)

Wow that's disastrous.

[PatrickH]

Only a disaster if you take a roadtrip that way. Running it to move a short distance (less than a minute or two) wont hurt anything.

[Eagleearl]

They sell brass caps that screw on the ends of the flare fittings.

[j2sax]

Not a big deal to loop the lines together as long as it is only run a couple of minutes at a time. 

Brass caps are the way to go to stop from losing all the fluid, however, I normally just let them hang in a bucket and top off the trans when I am done.  Figure it cannot hurt to have cleaner fluid in, especially since trans oil intervals are so long. 

If you go to pinch the lines with vise grips or line clamps and the lines seem stiff REPLACE them! When they are stiff, they are flaking on the inside and that means contaminents in the system which can clog filters and passages.  Rubber contamination is one of the most consistent causes of hydraulic systems failures on vehicles. 

Also, use a trans cooler/air conditioner cleaner solution which you can get at most parts houses.  You will be shocked when you see what come out of there (most people have never done this... so don't feel too bad!).  If you have a separate cooler from your radiator, use one can for each cooler... yeah that costs more, but come on... your coolers haven't been cleaned once in 25 years! 

Finally, put a Trans filter in line.  There are many good ones out there... make sure it is magnetized.  My favorite one is admittedly made by the company I work for, Cardone Industries, but that does not reduce the cool factor!  It is a billet aluminum Power Steering filter that can also be used as a trans filter... called "Magna Pure" (Part # 20-0038F).  May have to be special ordered as they are new.  It is for 3/8 lines only, though we sell a more normal magnetized filter for smaller lines. 

What's great is you can  install inline and, if an issue arises or just to see the health of your system, you can disassemble it by popping out one snap ring.  Examine the contents of both the magnet and the filter element.  Great for trans and PS.  No, I cannot sell these directly as my accounts would not like that much! 

BTW, you can learn more at cardone.com and watch a free 3 minute video about how to properly flush you PS system as well as see the filter. There is also a lot of good tech info available there, all free of charge. 

Hope that did not get too far off topic!   

[jim]

I need to reconnect the lines so I don't want to damage them. 
I don't see how I can get a rubber hose over the fittings.
The brass caps seem best.  I didn't know about them.  I'll try to find some.

[thereverendbill]

the other route i go at work when dealing with trans cooler lines is I use a piece of rubber hose and hose clamps to loop the system (so the car can be driven around the shop with no radiator in it)

Wow that's disastrous.

on average if  car comes into the shop and has the rad removed and the cooler lines looped it may travel a total of 50 feet until the new rad comes in and is installed

[jim]

j2sax, about how much fluid do you lose by letting the lines drip?
This tranny was flushed and refilled not too many miles ago.

[mudkicker715]

Whatever the line holds is your loss

[j2sax]

less than a quart

[jim]

If I don't find caps or vac plugs of the right size I'll just let em drip then.
Thanks for the info.