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Author Topic: plug cooler lines  (Read 11246 times)

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Offline jim

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plug cooler lines
« on: January 03, 2011, 09:46:23 PM »
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. ;D
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I'm right 98% of the time, and I don't care about the other 3%.
"The constitutions of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in the people;
that... it is their right and duty to be at all times armed."
--Thomas Jefferson to John Cartwright, 1824. ME 16:45
What part of "shall not be infringed" do they not understand?
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Offline thereverendbill

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Re: plug cooler lines
« Reply #1 on: January 03, 2011, 09:48:36 PM »
harbor frieght sells plastic crimp off plyers (they are BRIGHT orange) pretty cheap and they work great  when removing lines that like to dribble
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Offline txjeeptx

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Re: plug cooler lines
« Reply #2 on: January 03, 2011, 10:31:25 PM »
Lisle Tools also has hose pinch-off clamps, or a carefully applied pair of Vise-Grip pliers can be used.
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Offline thereverendbill

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Re: plug cooler lines
« Reply #3 on: January 03, 2011, 11:12:06 PM »
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)
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1980 Eagle 2 door sedan (future solid axle swap)
1981 Eagle Kammback (restoration in progress)
1983 SX/4 SOLD
1983 Eagle Limited wagon  *For Sale* SOLD
1988 Jeep Comanche Pioneer (daily driver)
Click for YOUR TOWN, STATE Forecast" border="0" height="100" width="150

another amc forum
www.amcevolution.com

Offline PatrickH

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Re: plug cooler lines
« Reply #4 on: January 03, 2011, 11:21:18 PM »
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.
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Online mudkicker715

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Re: plug cooler lines
« Reply #5 on: January 04, 2011, 03:40:16 AM »
Quote from: thereverendbill on January 03, 2011, 11:12:06 PM
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.
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Manitowoc WI

Offline PatrickH

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Re: plug cooler lines
« Reply #6 on: January 04, 2011, 07:39:11 AM »
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.
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"Many can help fix your car...Only JESUS can Heal your soul! The Bible is the "Factory Service Manual" for every human...It tells how to live, and how to fix life when it is broken!" "For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God..." Eph 2:8

Offline Eagleearl

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Re: plug cooler lines
« Reply #7 on: January 04, 2011, 08:11:42 AM »
They sell brass caps that screw on the ends of the flare fittings.
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Offline j2sax

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Re: plug cooler lines
« Reply #8 on: January 04, 2011, 09:15:03 AM »
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!   
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Offline jim

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Re: plug cooler lines
« Reply #9 on: January 04, 2011, 02:27:38 PM »
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.
Logged
I'm right 98% of the time, and I don't care about the other 3%.
"The constitutions of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in the people;
that... it is their right and duty to be at all times armed."
--Thomas Jefferson to John Cartwright, 1824. ME 16:45
What part of "shall not be infringed" do they not understand?
08 Impala
01 Yukon 4X4
(There's more to life than fuel mileage)
83 Eagle wagon; shared responsibility as daily driver
88 Eagle white woody wagon; shared responsibility as daily driver
86 wagon parts car
Click for Little Rock, AR Forecast" border="0" height="100" width="150

Offline thereverendbill

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Re: plug cooler lines
« Reply #10 on: January 04, 2011, 07:05:29 PM »
Quote from: mudkicker715 on January 04, 2011, 03:40:16 AM
Quote from: thereverendbill on January 03, 2011, 11:12:06 PM
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
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1980 Eagle 2 door sedan (future solid axle swap)
1981 Eagle Kammback (restoration in progress)
1983 SX/4 SOLD
1983 Eagle Limited wagon  *For Sale* SOLD
1988 Jeep Comanche Pioneer (daily driver)
Click for YOUR TOWN, STATE Forecast" border="0" height="100" width="150

another amc forum
www.amcevolution.com

Offline jim

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Re: plug cooler lines
« Reply #11 on: January 04, 2011, 08:04:02 PM »
j2sax, about how much fluid do you lose by letting the lines drip?
This tranny was flushed and refilled not too many miles ago.
Logged
I'm right 98% of the time, and I don't care about the other 3%.
"The constitutions of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in the people;
that... it is their right and duty to be at all times armed."
--Thomas Jefferson to John Cartwright, 1824. ME 16:45
What part of "shall not be infringed" do they not understand?
08 Impala
01 Yukon 4X4
(There's more to life than fuel mileage)
83 Eagle wagon; shared responsibility as daily driver
88 Eagle white woody wagon; shared responsibility as daily driver
86 wagon parts car
Click for Little Rock, AR Forecast" border="0" height="100" width="150

Online mudkicker715

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Re: plug cooler lines
« Reply #12 on: January 04, 2011, 08:07:20 PM »
Whatever the line holds is your loss
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Manitowoc WI

Offline j2sax

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Re: plug cooler lines
« Reply #13 on: January 04, 2011, 08:59:08 PM »
less than a quart
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Offline jim

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Re: plug cooler lines
« Reply #14 on: January 04, 2011, 10:22:03 PM »
If I don't find caps or vac plugs of the right size I'll just let em drip then.
Thanks for the info.
Logged
I'm right 98% of the time, and I don't care about the other 3%.
"The constitutions of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in the people;
that... it is their right and duty to be at all times armed."
--Thomas Jefferson to John Cartwright, 1824. ME 16:45
What part of "shall not be infringed" do they not understand?
08 Impala
01 Yukon 4X4
(There's more to life than fuel mileage)
83 Eagle wagon; shared responsibility as daily driver
88 Eagle white woody wagon; shared responsibility as daily driver
86 wagon parts car
Click for Little Rock, AR Forecast" border="0" height="100" width="150
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