Anyone have instructions on oil cooler line replacement?

[ScorchinScooter]

Hello All! This is my first post here. I just bought new oil cooler lines for my step dads 1994 GMC 1500 and was wondering if anyone had any tips on installing them? How do you get the old ones off? Is this an easy job? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[ScorchinScooter]

Has anyone done this? Is it straight forward? I don't have a shop manual for his truck so I have no idea what tools I will need.

[2000CAYukon]

I have a 90 K1500 and I recently (last week) fixed an oil leak where the oil cooler lines meet the block. I will assume that the 94 is pretty similar to the 90 since they are both TBI.

You don't mention if you are 4x4 or not but I think the steps are the same. It is a little harder on the 4x4 because of the front diff.

The oil lines run from the radiator to the oil cooler adapter at the block. A tubing wrench should be used on the lines at the radiator (don't know the size) to prevent rounding of the nut.

There is a bracket near the front of the motor that holds the lines. You will need to remove this bracket.

At the oil cooler adapter (at the block), the lines are held with plastic clips. You need to squeeze both sides of the clips to get the lines out. Also beware that a plastic ring will fall out and you need to reinsert this ring on the new lines (unless the new lines come with them). The clearance between the lines and the block is tight so you may need to loose the adapter. While squeezing the clip, I would move the line side to side until it would come out. The trick here is that you need to squeeze both sides at the same time.

It is a messy job but otherwise not too difficult.

Also, since you will most likely need to take the oil cooler adapter off, it is a good idea to replace the O-ring and gasket (Fel-Pro # ES72671 contains the O-ring and gasket or you can get them from a dealer).

Hope this helps.

//2000CAYukon

[ScorchinScooter]

2000CAYukon: Thanks for the reply. I am sure your advice will help me greatly. The truck is a 2 wheel drive so it should be easier, i hope. When I bought the lines from the dealer they also sold me the fittings with the plastic clips. I wonder if I could just unscrew the fittings from the adapter rather than trying to remove the lines from the clips? Another question is why would I need to remove the adapter? Does it have to come off? I might attempt this job this weekend so I want to get everything I need before going to my step dads hick town, lol.

[2000CAYukon]

Originally Posted by ScorchinScooter

2000CAYukon: Thanks for the reply. I am sure your advice will help me greatly. The truck is a 2 wheel drive so it should be easier, i hope. When I bought the lines from the dealer they also sold me the fittings with the plastic clips. I wonder if I could just unscrew the fittings from the adapter rather than trying to remove the lines from the clips? Another question is why would I need to remove the adapter? Does it have to come off? I might attempt this job this weekend so I want to get everything I need before going to my step dads hick town, lol.

I tried to remove the oil cooler lines (at the adapter) but could not get my finger on the clips since it was so close to the block. If you can get your fingers on the clips and remove the lines, then you will not have to remove the adapter. In my case, I had to remove the adapter anyway to fix the leak.

You will not be able to unscrew them at the adapter. There are no threads. If you squeeze the clip correctly, the line will come out.

//2000CAYukon

[ScorchinScooter]

Originally Posted by 2000CAYukon

You will not be able to unscrew them at the adapter. There are no threads. If you squeeze the clip correctly, the line will come out.

//2000CAYukon

There must be threaded fittings on the adapter because the dealer sold me new fittings. The fittings have new plastic clips and o rings inside. The 1994 GMC 1500 must be different. Just to be clear, the long aluminum tube part of the hoses connect to the adapter on the engine block don't they? And the 90 degree angle part connects to the radiator side? Or is it the other way around? I have no idea because I have not seen my step dads truck yet. Sorry if I sound like a moron.

[2000CAYukon]

One end should have the plastic clips and o-rings, the other end (90 degree) goes to the radiator and has threads.

Yes the long tube connects to the adapter and can only be removed by squeezing the clips.

It sounds like the 94 is the same as the 90.

//2000CAYukon

[atthacker]

hey guys, i just replaced my oil cooler lines due to the same leakage problem. I replaced the o-rings and the quick connects (plastic rings at the oil filter housing) but i dont remember putting any "gaskets" anywhere. can you tell me what these are? I am now having a problem with Coolant in my oil, my oil is not milky, or brown, it is just a faint green. I also bought a brand new radiator which has the oil cooler built in just like the old one, any tips?

[ScorchinScooter]

Being the original poster of this I am sorry I can't help you much. It turns out my step dad had a local shop do the work for him. I have no idea what was involved. My step dad and the owner of this shop are friends so he got it done for a case of beer so he tells me, lol. I wanted to put them on for him but he insisted a pro do it right. So I said okay then. Less work for me, lol. Again sorry I am not much help.