Engine oil cooler line replacement?

Hello folks,

I got a 2001 Concorde with the 3.2 engine. It's got an engine oil cooler in
it and the supply line that connects the cooler (upper radiator) to the
control valve is leaking. Is this a hard thing to replace myself? Would it
be wise for me to use an old line off of a used car? The new line is very
expensive from Chrysler dealers!

Any other comments or pointers on this is greatly appreciated Thank you.

 

Possibly the transmission fluid (not engine oil) cooler line? I've not
replaced one on your model/year, but did so on an older LH body since it too
was leaking. I bought the part at the dealer and the part was about $50.
Installation was not too difficult. I figured any old part would likely be
prone to the same issue. In addition, $50 just wasn't worth the effort of
pulling it at a salvage yard.

Bob

 

I think Bob may be right about it being the transmission cooler line.
They have screw clamps on those lines - usually it's a matter of
tightening the clamps back up rather than a hole in the line. (I own two
2nd gen. Concordes.)

That would cost $zero.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

Thanks Bob.

It is actually engine oil cooler lines. The transmission cooler lines or on
the other side (left side of the radiator), the engine cooler line or on the
right side of the radiator. I was at the dealer yesterday and they said it
was engine oil and I said the same thing you said but they explained that
some of these Concorde models came with an optional engine oil cooler. BTW,
the wanted $480 to replace the 2 lines, I can't tell you what I said but
you'd probably figure that out yourself.

Thanks again.

 

Bill, thank you too.

As I explained to Bob, I have the optional engine oil cooler in my car and
these are engine oil lines.

 

Where and how is it leaking? If this is a steel tube (which it really
should be)
and there is a crack or some such in the tubing itself, then take the tube
off
and take it to a radiator shop and have them braise the crack or hole.

Ted

 

The lines you are referring to have to be replaced if they are leaking, They
can not be fixed. When they leak, it is normally severe. I wouldn't pay more
the 2.0hrs to have them installed

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

Max,

I ordered the line yesterday, I am going to give it a shot myself..I think
it is a straight forward replacement. Thanks.

 

Ted,

This line is part steel, part rubber and it is leaking right at the joint
between the steel and rubber part, I don't think it could be fixed. It has
to be replaced as Maxpower suggested. Thanks.

 

Glen

Do these lines appear on any other 2001 Chrysler vehicles? Like maybe
my 2001 LHS?

Thanks
Bob AZ

 

Bob, if you gave me the last 8 of your vin # I could tell you if your
vehicle is equipped with an oil cooler

Glenn

 

Do these lines appear on any other 2001 Chrysler vehicles? Like maybe

Glenn

1H580394

Thanks
Bob AZ

 

Glenn

1H580394

Thanks
Bob

Bob, It does not specify. If you did have it, you would see both lines
running down the passenger side radiator. One line will go to the passenger
side oil pan and the other to the oil filter adapter.

Glenn

 

Ugh, what a stupid design. Running pressurized, hot engine oil through
a flexible rubber line is just asking for trouble. It's bad enough doing it
with power steering fluid but if a PS line bursts, your steering just gets
more difficult. If this line bursts, unless you shut your engine down
immediately, you spin a bearing.

Ted

 

You're connecting from an engine, that of course moves around a little,
to a rigid chassis-mounted cooler. Would there be fatigue problems with
metal lines, even corrugated ones of affordable materials?

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

Correct answer would be to use braided stainless steel covered lines (like
race cars use). Unfortunately, the companies are run by the bean counters,
not the engineers...

 

All of the old Ford cars that ran a C-4 used steel lines to connect
the trans cooler to the trans, no flex line involved. In any case, since
this oil cooler is an add-on option, the expense should not be an issue
since the customer has to pay extra for it.

Ted

 

You're obviously not an MBA!

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

Heh.

Keep in mind that when the automakers cheapen down the add-on
accessories, word gets out and people stop buying them. Of course,
the temptation is great for the MBA's to find some way to cheapen
down the design and in the past a lot of automakers have given in
to temptation (Ford with it's disintegrating plastic intake manifolds,
for example) but while they often get away with it on the required parts
of the vehicle, more times than not when they do it to the accessories
it burns them. For example the auto aftermarket radio industry
wouldn't exist if automakers hadn't cut corners on car radios, and
the radio is a very high margin and profitable accessory for an automaker.

Ted