Tranny lines to the radiator

[Jason94sport]

I've replaced the radiator in 5 speeds but not an auto. My friends X is an auto. When we disconnect the tranny lines that go to the radiator will tranny fluid spill all over the place? Do the lines need to be capped? Is there anything that needs to be done special for these lines?

Thanks

 

[410Fortune]

You will lose a tiny bit of mercon fluid, but nothing to worry about.
you can cap off the lines if you are going to take a while to install the new radiator and think dirst and stuff could get in there, with a radiator change I would just undo them last, install the new tank, then thread them first, takes all of 10 minutes.

You will want to add some fluid based ont he level on the dipstick and how much you spill. Dont forget there is mercon in the radiator itself as well, typically less then a quart.

 

[Tony H]

I have found that loosening them up slowly sometimes causes the Metal lines to want to twist with the Fitting. A sharp hit when loosening usually works well. But don't go crazy.

 

[JStrider]

when I did my radiator i got a plastic grocery bag and stuffed an end in the lines and tied it around them

i had a ton of trouble getting the lines off the radiator... they really did not want to get turning

the threaded thing thats permanently on the tubes had the first thread stripped on my top tube... almost made me give up... but with a strong buddy and some creative levering and pulling while turning I got it to go... dont know if it will ever come back off.... but its on now and not leaking

 

[410Fortune]

You should use line wrenches on the fittings and make sure you hold the radiator insert with a wrench really well you do not want those turning. I have never had an issue with getting them off

 

[bakken78]

I just replaced my radiator last weekend. Since I had some higher milage I also went ahead and replaced the water pump, thermostat, and all the hoses to make sure nothing could go wrong. Might as well replace the stuff if your going to have everything else apart. The tranny hoses came off pretty easy. I just used one wrench to hold the larger fitting on the radiatior and loosened the smaller fitting on the tranny line with another wrench. I only had a little tranny fluid come out, nothing major. If your gonna do the water pump too, make sure you have a big enough wrench for the nut that connects the fan clutch to the pump. I had to go get a 12" adjustable wrench at sears.

 

[410Fortune]

or you can rent the fan clutch hub tool, makes short work of removing the fan clutch from the waterpump