560 SEL lower radiator hose leak? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Solid Snake · #1 06-21-2011, 10:51 PM

Hey guys,

I was jacking my car up the other day to extend the spring on my front tire so I could fit my fingers through and push a set of needle nose pliers I managed to drop DOWN the spring (long story) back up, and I get this drop of red fluid on my forehead. I look around and see the attached pictures hose leaking very little coolant. What is it and where can I buy one? I couldn't find it in the EPC...

Thanks again,

Carlen

tbomachines · #2 06-21-2011, 11:23 PM

Thats the Transmission cooler line...red fluid is ATf not coolant. They should have a replacement at fastlane.

tbomachines · #3 06-22-2011, 12:48 AM

Now that im on a proper laptop with a keyboard let me elaborate a bit - the transmission cooler and the radiator are a single integrated unit. If you look at the radiator, you'll have both oil lines and coolant hose outlets on the same unit, along with that are the AC condenser (not attached) and the oil cooler on the drivers' side (also not attached). When its installed it sort of looks like one big jumble of pipes but they all serve a purpose. Its best to replace that leaky line before it gets worse and/or it bursts, running your trans out of fluid (chances are it is already low if you've had that leak). Its an easy replacement, just unscrew the old one, screw the new one into the fittings - make sure to use new washers if there are any on there. Also, since you'll be losing a lot of fluid its a great time to flush the old fluid out and do a filter change if you haven't the last 20-30k.

Solid Snake · #4 06-22-2011, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

Now that im on a proper laptop with a keyboard let me elaborate a bit - the transmission cooler and the radiator are a single integrated unit. If you look at the radiator, you'll have both oil lines and coolant hose outlets on the same unit, along with that are the AC condenser (not attached) and the oil cooler on the drivers' side (also not attached). When its installed it sort of looks like one big jumble of pipes but they all serve a purpose. Its best to replace that leaky line before it gets worse and/or it bursts, running your trans out of fluid (chances are it is already low if you've had that leak). Its an easy replacement, just unscrew the old one, screw the new one into the fittings - make sure to use new washers if there are any on there. Also, since you'll be losing a lot of fluid its a great time to flush the old fluid out and do a filter change if you haven't the last 20-30k.

I knew it felt way too viscous to be coolant... Thankfully, it's a $20 part, an easy fix, and gives me an excuse to flush my transmission. Thanks for the info, tbo!

tbomachines · #5 06-22-2011, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solid Snake

I knew it felt way too viscous to be coolant... Thankfully, it's a $20 part, an easy fix, and gives me an excuse to flush my transmission. Thanks for the info, tbo!

np! Glad you caught it in time, could have turned ugly really quick.