Oil cooler lines - replace both if only one leaks? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

bodyart27 · #1 02-05-2008, 09:18 PM

Well, my paranoia has gotten to me and my slow lower oil cooler line leak has gotten to the point where I think it is prudent to replace the line.

So.... Knowing the job is a PITA, does one spend the extra money and replace both lines since I'm going to be in there (e.g. unbolting the driver motor mount)? Then you shouldn't have to worry about either for a good 100K+ miles. Or, since it doesn't weep at all - don't touch it?

It's the old "while I'm in there" / preventitive maintenance vs. risk screwing something up and spending money that I didn't need to....

blindwolf · #2 02-05-2008, 09:39 PM

I would replace them both while I was at it. One already leaks, it the other is not at least 10 years newer, why even think about it? If it blows while you're going down the road in traffic one day, that will be the wrong time wish you had changed them both.

nate300d · #3 02-05-2008, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blindwolf

I would replace them both while I was at it. One already leaks, it the other is not at least 10 years newer, why even think about it? If it blows while you're going down the road in traffic one day, that will be the wrong time wish you had changed them both.

The other many be fine, but I agree with blindwolf. If you replace both then you will have piece of mind about that portion of the car and that is worth a lot.

zsmith29 · #4 02-05-2008, 09:59 PM

I replaced both of mine last weekend and I actually thought it was not near as hard as I read about. I am no mechanic but I read enough threads on it to do both of them in about an hour(granted, I had the mount and steering gear box out for replacement). I don't know where you are financially but I doubt you are worse off than I am. I am thankful I spent the extra $50 and did both of them at the same time. I think it's that piece of mind thing I am searching for.

Hatterasguy · #5 02-05-2008, 10:16 PM

Considering how nice your car is you need to replace both with OE dealer lines of the highest quality.

Its a PITA job, not something I would want to do twice.

Brian Carlton · #6 02-05-2008, 11:13 PM

If you are buying aftermarket lines.........buy just one.

If you are buying an OE line.........buy both of them.

You'll be doing the aftermarket line in another few years anyway..........so, why waste money on a new line for the one that's still good.

Diesel911 · #7 02-05-2008, 11:17 PM

I would sure read a bunch of the threads on the subject. Some members oil coolers were ruined while turning of the hose to cooler nuts off due to the aluminum being corroded in the threaded area. (When I loosened the hose nut on mine some of the thread metal stuck to the hose nut and I lost a few threads off the upper part of the cooler myself.)

bodyart27 · #8 02-06-2008, 10:26 AM

Thanks for all the feedback. I agree with the piece of mind argument.

Hopefully it won't be that bad of a job and I can knock it out this weekend.

TTCummins · #9 02-06-2008, 11:41 AM

Does anybody know what the fittings are on the end of these hoses. I have a Hydraulic Hose shop at my disposal and I would like to make them rather than pay what ever the stealership or aftermarket wants. I have a large assortment of German DIN fittings which i believe they are, i just need to know sizes and lengths.

Hit Man X · #10 02-06-2008, 11:48 AM

I concur, do both.

And the job isn't nearly as bad as it's made out to be, just have the motor mount and shock out.

nhdoc · #11 02-06-2008, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTCummins

Does anybody know what the fittings are on the end of these hoses. I have a Hydraulic Hose shop at my disposal and I would like to make them rather than pay what ever the stealership or aftermarket wants. I have a large assortment of German DIN fittings which i believe they are, i just need to know sizes and lengths.

You can take the old ones off and have any good shop replace the hose sections and re-use the ends if you have access to a hydraulic shop that shoul work fine. I have seen a few who did the repair themselves using hose clamps which would probably also be OK if you are really desparate, but having a shop replace the hose portions should be good as a new one would be if they use good quality hose.

bodyart27 · #12 02-09-2008, 08:30 PM

OK - I believe all the posts that I have seen that this job is a chore.

I would definately say replace both while you are in there. More than likely if you want to replace one, the other is going to be in the way anyway.

I went ahead and pulled the motor mount and engine shock to have better access. I can't see how it can be done any other way - you need some twist and spin and wiggle and turn room with those lines.

Disconnecing the lines off the oil cooler went really well. I have a 27mm Stahwille open box(?) line wrench that worked like a breeze. The connections on the oil filter canister on the other hand are from hell. You have to use a straight open wrench, all the vacumn lines are in the way, and you really need a counter hold so the fitting doesn't turn in the oil filter casing. I was really tempted to grind down a 22mm wrench - but I didn't want to ruin my SK monster sized set.

I found a piece of crap thin 3/4" wrench that I opened up with a dremel. That worked for the upper fitting. The wrench snapped apart when I tried the lower fitting (even tighter space - ugh). I notice that the oil line started to rotate so I used a pry bar against the line so it would not rotate and that worked as a counter hold (I guess that doesn't make sense) and the line finally broke free from the fitting.

After that - reassemble went smoothly. Just took my time to get all the lines in place, brackets together, motor mounts and shock together.

I refilled with mobil 1 turbo diesel blend and a new filter.

So far, no leaks.

ImBroke · #13 02-10-2008, 09:05 AM

Congrats on getting it done. Been there, done that, had the butt whoopin as well. Can we get a tee shirt that says something like "I conquered the oil line swap"?