Transmission coolant?

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maat922

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2001 1500 4x4 laramie, 5.2 V8.

She's just a yard truck but we're moving so I need to get her road worthy enough to drive down to the new house. I got her fired up after a long winter slumber the other day and drove her up the hill to the shed to put some air in the tires. When I got back down to the bottom of the hill, I backed into a parking spot, got out, and heard "SPLOOSH!!", and purple liquid was splashing all over the ground under the engine bay.

I found two lines about 3/8" that appear to be running parallel to each other along the bottom of the engine from the driver's side of the tranny, bending over along the passenger's side of the engine oil pan, and then straight ahead into...I'm not sure...either a cooler or the radiator. There's definitely a little cooler pinched between the AC condenser and the radiator, but I can't tell how those houses are routed, exactly. At any rate, the lower tube by the oil pan blew a hole there by the pan, from whence all the purple liquid blew. I cut out the rusty piece.

What is this hose, what is the liquid, and where do I fill it once it's patched? I bought a length of rubber line today to patch it with, which will be done tomorrow, but where to fill, and with what??
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Parts store teenager told me it was a tranny coolant line, which I believe possible. He also told me to fill it with ATF-4, which I doubt, but bought a quart of anyway (just in case, I live far from the parts store).

Any insight here guys? Please and thank you, in advance.
 

dodge dude94

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That is the transmission cooler line. And he did tell you correctly on what trans fluid to use. Tell that kid he has kudos from me.


The rubber line is 3/8 in transmission hose and there are some nice fittings on there that can be a pain. Hard line is steel I believe.
If you can get us pictures that would be great as it can help us better help you
 
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maat922

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Lolol WOW really? I'm impressed now. Ok. The line is definitely steel, i took a hacksaw and cut out the rotten piece already. Gonna patch with real sturdy reinforced rubber hose, 3/8ID and just clamp it on. Good enough for a 10 minute drive downhill. Now, where to fill the thing? Please don't tell me "right through the dipstick hole".
 

MagSport

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Lol sorry bud you walked into it, that is the best way to add fluid.
 

Magnum5.9

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When checking the fluid line check it with the trans warm and either in P or N... I believe P will give you a higher fluid level reading because the fluid is not being pumped through the radiator. ofcourse if you have a rebuilt trans that pumps in P then that a different story
 

dodge dude94

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The steel line needs to be flared, double clamped and you need to use transmission line otherwise you run the risk of it blowing off, even on a 10 minute drive down hill.

And the dipstick hole is the only way to really get fluid in it. :crazy:
 
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