I'm removing my radiator next week prior to head gasket r&r. I want to plug the transmission oil cooling lines without draining the auto trans. The manual offers no help- what size plugs will I need when I pull the radiator? I seem to think its IPS but does anyone know?

I don't know what size plugs you would need but...

I do know that you don't really need to plug the lines. Not a a lot of fluids will be lost. Just keep the ends of the lines up and none will spill out. I used a big zip tie to make a loose loop of the line on itself and was plenty good enough to keep them out of the way and the trans fluid inside.

Assuming that you are working on w123

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Current fleet
2006 E320 CDI
1992 300D - 5speed manual swapped

former members
1984 300D "Blues Mobile"

1978 300CD "El Toro"

My money is on a W201. But the confusion does illustrate the benefit of spelling things out in plain and simple terms.

I don't even know what "IPS" means.

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IPS means iron pipe size. Im no expert, but my Japanese tractors all follow Iron Pipe sizing in their hydraulics and I know the MB fittings are 3/4".

It makes sense that elevating the pipe above the trans will work, so I will run with that. Thats a great idea, and too simple for me to figure out on my own. I will post the plug sizes if I remember to check.

And yes, all w201 all the time!

One easy way to create plugs is to go to the PNP and cut off the ends of the transmission hard lines. Leave an inch or so of line behind the fitting. Then crimp them in a vice and if you want, drizzle some JB Weld into the opening to make a complete seal. This would give you a block off for the rubber cooler hose.

Alternately, grab a transmission cooler hose, cut off the rubber part and seal up the end of the remaining steel fitting with JBWeld. This will give you a plug for the hard lines.

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Put some Zip Lock Bags over the Hose ends and use some Rubber Bands around them.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

a standard pencil will fit in there. if you wrap the end in teflon tape/plastic/etc.

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1981 NA 300D 310k miles