One of my rubber oil cooler lines isn't leaking, but looks a bit sketchy. It has a gash in it from a power steering belt cutting into it (guessing a motor mount was weak at one point allowing the engine to move).

Can I cut off the crimp rings crimping it to the metal lines and install an oil-resistant MIL-H6000 line in its place, clamping it with two clamps per end? The hose in question is rated oil-resistant to 1000 psi, and I'm guessing that max pressure on the W123 is about 100 psi.

It would seem easier to do this than to attempt to unscrew the metal lines from the cooler and wiggle new ones through under the car.

Here's a little light reading for you on the topic of oil cooler lines

Engine oil cooler and hose/line issue, link thread

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Current Stable

• 380SL (diesel)
• Corvette C5
• Manx
• Baja Bug
• F350 Powerstroke
• Auburn Boattail Speedster replica

So it seems that the primary objection to my fix is aesthetic, but that it would work.

I don't think your car would miss them at all if they were not in use. I think for a big part of the world they are unneccesary and I would eliminate them completely. I am assuming your car is a 240D with a 4 speed manual trans.

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Junqueyardjim
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!

I don't know -- given a 90+ degree day, it might come in handy. And we're talking about a few feet of hose. The hardware to loop the fittings and eliminate the cooler would probably cost the same.

I don't know what MIL-H6000 Hose is but if it has any Steel braid inbetween the layers or on the outside you cannot count on Worm Gear type Clamps to clamp it tight.

I don't know if this is the same Hose or not but the Max Oil Pressure possible unless the Oil Pump Relief Valve gets stuck is 110 psi on a 617.952

Mil 6000 hose is used for oil, coolant and some fuel, etc. 1000 P.S.I. maximum pressure. Use with AN 84X series nipple fittings and hose clamps, or push-on hose fittings. Black rubber with tracer stripe. Sold per running foot.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Oil-resistant fabric-reinforced rubber hose rated for aircraft use. Basically, the stuff that you buy as fuel line by the foot on steroids. Commonly used to connect oil coolers.

I have done exactly as you are planning without any issue. I used reinforced hose with the appropriate fit that was acceptable on hot oil.

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Jim

The hose won't work. The oil gets to a temp of 257 degrees and you need a hose rated a 250psi or higher.

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Next time I do it, I will follow this link:
Oil cooler line replacement
He used #12 AC barrier hose. I have an AC hose crimper and might be able to crimp w/ the tubes on the car, i.e. not having to work them out past the motor mount.