Engine oil cooler lines leaking

[77 K20]

My 2003 Silverado 8.1L has both lines leaking where the hard line gets crimped onto the rubber hose. Very common for these to leak. Replace them- and they just start leaking again in 10k-20k miles it seems. People who live in cold climates seem to think they expand and stretch out more.

I'm thinking about just repairing them. Anyone done this? Cut the factory crimp off, clean the hard line, then slide on some good high quality hydraulic hose over it and double clamp it?

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I like how the hard line is supposedly ribbed. And if I could cram the hose up and over that flared out section I think it would be even better to put one clamp on both sides on it.


I bought some clamps like this:

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They are smooth on the inside so that the slits from the worm screw don't cut up the rubber hose.

Pictures were just found on Google of someone else trying to repair them.

 

[350runner]

Looks like it will work out just fine. Even better if you can get it slid over the flared section. There are places out here that will take your hose replace the hose and crimped section. Are there any places out there that can do that?

Sent from the dust in front of you!

 

[77 K20]

Looks like it will work out just fine. Even better if you can get it slid over the flared section. There are places out here that will take your hose replace the hose and crimped section. Are there any places out there that can do that?

Sent from the dust in front of you!

Supposedly there might be a hydraulic place out here somewhere-

I think I'll have pretty good access to do them with them on the truck. I've heard stories of losing the little retainer clip that holds the ends on. Also to get to the lines at the back of the engine it can be a pain in the butt. Most remove the driveshaft and sometimes the differential.

I'll know more when I get elbow deep in it what my options are.

I'm just worried if they pop off.... or if there is a better clamp out there.

 

[350runner]

idk about a better clamp... just makes you wonder what design flaw leaves them leaking in the first place.



Sent from the dust in front of you!

 

[77 K20]

idk about a better clamp... just makes you wonder what design flaw leaves them leaking in the first place.



Sent from the dust in front of you!

I had stopped by and talked to a mechanic friend about them. He said he would have no problem at all about clamping them with new hose. He said just keep an eye on them.

He also thought it was the heating and cooling on them that seems to make the factory crimp loosen up over time. And once they are lose you can't really re-crimp them. At least with a hose clamp you can then give them a 1/2 turn or so to snug them up a bit more.

 

[350runner]

That's cool man glad you found a solution. i think he's right about the hearing and cooling it makes sense.

Sent from the dust in front of you!

 

[firebane]

The problem with that fitting is that its not really a true hydralic crimp style fitting. You want something more like this for a fitting as then it actually grabs the fitting and holds it.

The hose to fitting you have now are junk and always cause grief.

http://i00.i.aliimg.com/photo/v2/551463276/Hydraulic_crimp_Fitting_Elbow_90deg_JIC_female.jpg

 

[ecmjamsit]

I did this repair on a 77 Suburban 454. Somehow I managed to get some "Space Shuttle Certified" hose. Worked good with double clamps and never leaked.

 

[bucket]

I've repaired them like that before, it worked well. When your are cutting the crimp off, be very careful not to nick the raised flanges in the line. Those smooth clamps might not be a good idea though, they might not have enough bite to crank them tight without slipping notches.

Old conversion vans with aftermarket rear AC often had rubber lines that were held on with hose clamps. The clamps had tabs that went around a raised flange on the fitting. Clamps like that should work in this case too.