Engine Oil Cooler Hose Leak????

Hey Guys - I have a 2002 awd astro and have just found an oil leak on one of the hoses going to the engine oil cooler. Can anyone tell me if those hoses are high pressure or not - and can I temporarily patch that hose to keep the van going until I have the time and funds to replace it. It is broken on the metal part just above the front diff. It wore a hole by rubbing on the front diff. I was going to cut it and put a rubber fuel line hose over it and put a couple of collars. Would that work or do I have to replace the complete hose right away???

Thanks for any help!

The oil cooler hoses carry oil pressure which varies engine to engine, but typically is under 70psi. The replacement lines are available aftermarket, made by Dorman. Most auto parts stores carry or can get them. Far superior part than the OEM. I've never seen a Dorman line leak...ever. Be very careful when removing/installing the attaching bolt that goes into the oil filter adapter: they use a steel bolt into an aluminum housing, the housing strips very easily.

I checked with several aftermarket stores in my area (Canada) and none of them were able to get the hose assembly. So I called my local GM dealer and they wanted $265. There was no way I was paying that for a hose assembly. I therefore googled Dorman Hoses and found that I could get it easily State side for $45. So I ordered one from a company in Texas. All included - part and shipping, it's costing me $62. A lot better than those crooks at GM. Since my part will take about a week to get to me, well worth the wait for the savings, I used some Permatex Cold Weld to block the hole. It seems to be working, but I am keeping a close eye on it.

It turns out that the cooler hose was rubbing on the front diff and wore a hole through it about the size of a pin hole. Man what a mess that was making. At least the bottom of the van is well oiled.

I don't understand why the dealers try to gouge us so much!

I will let you know how I make out when I install the new one!

That's ridiculous, and the damn thing will leak again! They usually sprout a leak at the cheesy crimp connections. Why people insist on using the inferior OEM stuff is beyond me. When you get the Dorman hose assembly, compare the crimp connections with the OEM line, you'll see the difference right away! Post back your results.

Will do!

I checked with several aftermarket stores in my area (Canada) and none of them were able to get the hose assembly. So I called my local GM dealer and they wanted $265. There was no way I was paying that for a hose assembly. I therefore googled Dorman Hoses and found that I could get it easily State side for $45. So I ordered one from a company in Texas. All included - part and shipping, it's costing me $62. A lot better than those crooks at GM. Since my part will take about a week to get to me, well worth the wait for the savings, I used some Permatex Cold Weld to block the hole. It seems to be working, but I am keeping a close eye on it.

It turns out that the cooler hose was rubbing on the front diff and wore a hole through it about the size of a pin hole. Man what a mess that was making. At least the bottom of the van is well oiled.

I don't understand why the dealers try to gouge us so much!

I will let you know how I make out when I install the new one!

I purchased an aftermarket hose that you mention from Parts Source here in Calgary for around $50. GMC Canada also gouges us around $700 for an OEM fuel pump to fit a 2000 Astro. :screwy:

I'll give you an even better one. I brought my van to the GM dealer, since the Owner of that dealership is a customer of mine. I have a shrink wrap company and we wrap their accidented cars. He told me that if I bring the van in he would let me have the fluid change service at cost. I was told about $200 to replace fluid in both diffs, transfer case, transmission, and engine. I supplied the engine oil since I only use synthetic in my van. When it came time to pay, I got a bill for $600. After complaining, the lady at the service counter told me there was nothing she could do and that would be the price that she did not know where I got the $200 from. The owner was no where to be found. I got a call from him a couple of days later to wrap a mini-van, so I took advantage of the call to tell him that due to his gouging me, his cost to wrap a mini-van would go from $150 to $800. The funny thing is that he told me to come see him and we would get to the bottom of this, when I got there he had a check for me for $400 and appologized for the mix up.
What I would like to know is how they get away with robbing people like this. $400 profit (or more) on a fluid change where I supplied my own engine oil. And, the tech never even saw the oil cooler hose leak and forgot that the little nipples under the van are for grease, all grease nipples were dry. I might as well bring my van to the local high school the next time I want to get it fixed.