2000 Transmission lines leak

Greetings,

I have a 2000 with 125k miles. I can't find m y previous post, but I posted it last fall. It basically asked. Where did 3 quarts of ATF go? It wasn't leaking and wasn't in the coolant. I never found it. I added 3 quarts ATF and all has been well (level stayed up) UNTIL today.

I found the general area of the leak. I can get it to drip by chocking the wheels of the car, putting the brakes on , and "pressurizing" the trans system by applying acceleration while braked.

I can see it dripping in the middle of the front of the car by the white hold down clamp.

I have a couple of pictures here. http://picasaweb.google.com/pjw73nh/VentureTransLines?feat=directlink

What is the best way to fix this. If the leak is far enough away from the bend, Are flare and compression fittings still acceptable means of repair? Would an auto parts store have this item (pre bent to fit my application). How about the dealer (pre bent).

Is this a common area of failure? Anyone ever replace this part? What kind of job is it?

Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks.....

Just replace the transmission lines. Its a GM and there bound to leak at some point. even if you figure out a way to fix the metal line they are probably wet near the crimps anyways.

airjer,

Thanks for the reply. In all honesty, I haven't been under the car to see the full picture. I am putting it up on ramps sometime this AM. From a previous look, I thought I saw that these lines have some sort of special plastic type of connector (I might be wrong, I am saying this from memory).

Assuming they are standard hex fittings, do the lines come pre-bent? It looks like they start out as crimped rubber hydraulic hoses and then transition into the steel tubing that is actually leaking.

Are they a dealer item only?

Do you know if the job is as straightforward as it looks?

Thanks.

OK, I just took a look at the car. It is the lines that run from the drivers side of the transmission, to the integrated trans cooler that is inside the radiator. They look like they have some sort of weird plastic fittings on them on both ends. Or is this just some kind of shield?

I posted more pix here http://picasaweb.google.com/pjw73nh/VentureTransLines?feat=directlink


Do they need some sort of special tool.

I do not know which line it is. One goes to the upper radiator port, one goes to the lower port. If I can get them, I will do both.


Thanks

The plastic part is a shield, they will pop off the fitting. There is a tool that releases the clip but you can also carefully remove them with a pick. The lines come complete, hoses and steel lines all bent in the proper manner and are available from the dealer.

Thanks airjer,

I called the local dealer. Not in stock and $160 when they are. I am short on time. For now at least I am going to splice the corroded parts with rubber transmission cooler hose. Flared ends and double clamped. There is not enough meat to put a compression fitting in and use steel. It is too close to the rubber section of the line.

Thanks.

Nice pix man, might just get 4 barbed connectors and run hose for all of it....