Automotive/Transmission/Trans Coolling Question?

Any Automotive/Transmission Specialist out there?

I have 10yr old Dodge Pickup, with Factory HD Trans cooler.
Had leak in I think the pressure cooling line.
Tryed to repair with 3/8 steel line, but Needed to make really tight Bend, Just couldnt do it, I trashed about 3' trying to repair 8 inch section!
( Dodge dealer want's about $100 for new cooler line, Dealer only item, Look's like it would really suck to replace the entire cooler line, I guess I'm too cheap to pay someone else to fix.


Anyway what I did do was use some 3/8 copper line to make the repair.
So My Question is:
Can you use copper??
Will Transmission fluid have any adverse affect's with copper??

I got one other Question, on the trans cooler line is a pressure switch, can that be elimanated?? cause I did?

 

ASUS,

Sounds like you are pretty much along with it. This may give you some ideas/info, http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/stories/translin.html

Steve

 

Hey Steve,
Interesting reading!

I liked the part about the previous owner's handiwork & the picture and referance to Old Crapy Redneck lines. "ha ha"

Funny thing, I spent about 3 hrs lying on my back trying to bend one stinking little piece of metal, till it started getting dark outside (no garage, no lift, good thing it's 4x4 with 33" tires) then I whipped out my piece of copper & 15 minutes latter Done.
Look's sweet too!
Only bad thing if she blows, new trans about $1800.
I guess I keep a eye open in the rear view mirror for trail of tranny fluid.

 

Hey, that site offers one person's opinion, your fix may last for 10 years. Maybe someone with experience will respond.

Sounds like you did a good job my friend.

Steve

 

Copper tubing is not good for anything in a car/truck. Steel line is what you should be using, and a pipe bender to get a proper bend without kinking it. They're cheap, and many chain auto parts stores have loaner tool programs to supply tools like this for a refundable deposit.

 

Actually since I posted this thread, Ive found a few cooler manufactures that supply copper cooler lines with thier products.
Also found some copper lines used in High performance applications.

In my case it's only about 6 or 8" piece.
I have an assortment of benders & have a bit of experiance in the area, it's just this piece I was trying bend with steel tubing, need's such very tight & multiple bends.

Thanks for the 2 cents.

 

A good place for auto advice http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/index.php

 

Asus, did you connect the copper tube with rubber hose? If you did, you need to know to ONLY use hose approved for automatic transmission fluid. Anything else, including fuel hose will be eaten very quickly. Also, good sized socket or piece of pipe clamped in a vice makes a pretty good pipe bender. With care you can get some pretty tight bends.