ATF line broke for the 2nd time!

[mb1902.2]

About three years ago, the transmission fluid line broke. It's attached with metal clips with a plastic fitting between the clip and the pipe. The plastic had been shook loose and the metal clasp had worn away the pipe and made a hole in it. I had the pipe replaced with a new one ordered from Germany. This weekend it happened again!!!

Unless I'm the unluckiest AFT-line owner around, the metal clasp system with the plastic insert must be a faulty design. I can post pictures if anyone would like to take a look.

This time I repaired the line myself with some plumbing tape and a couple of hose clamps. I'll find a better repair later on and put in a more solid plastic or rubber insert between the clasp and the pipe.

Anyone else prone to this design fault?

That's funny, I had the same failure on my 300D last week (345K miles). Apparently the little rubber/plastic grommet deteriorated and the tube rubbed on the clamp. I should have noticed it sooner and replaced the grommet, but I'm an idiot. As a temporary fix, I cut out the bad piece of tubing and installed a length of fuel line with clamps. That's been working fine for a week. I have the replacement line ordered, it will be installed this week. I'm not sure if I'm getting a new clamp or not, if not I will make a grommet from a small piece of the fuel line and reuse the clamp.

It did last 345K miles, and I suspect it failed due to getting oil on it (the PO wasn't very diligent about fixing leaks), so I hesitate to call it a design flaw. I guess I'll have to take another look when it gets to 700K miles.

[Johnhef]

The old engine in my 83 300CD used to shake pretty bad. the left side line broke through first, it was removed, welded thicker in the spot it broke and put back in. a few months later, the right side broke. due to the fact the engine was out of a different car i suppose, I couldnt for the life of me get the lie out, short of unbolting the engine and lifting it, so I cut a section of hose, wrapped it around the break and used hose claps to secure it. Held for over a year untill the engine finally blew up.

[SD Blue]

Did you replace the clamps when you replaced the tranny cooling line? If not, then the problem is still there.

[jonschwenke]

Originally Posted by Craig

That's funny, I had the same failure on my 300D last week (345K miles). Apparently the little rubber/plastic grommet deteriorated and the tube rubbed on the clamp. I should have noticed it sooner and replaced the grommet, but I'm an idiot. As a temporary fix, I cut out the bad piece of tubing and installed a length of fuel line with clamps. That's been working fine...

Exactly my situation. And it's still holding. I have a used line from the junkyard. I guess I should pop it in soon... However as preventitive maintenence on the other line, I cut a piece of 3/8" ( i think) fuel line and replaced the crumbling plastic grommet with that. I probably will never have to worry about it again.

Originally Posted by jonschwenke

Exactly my situation. And it's still holding. I have a used line from the junkyard. I guess I should pop it in soon... However as preventitive maintenence on the other line, I cut a piece of 3/8" ( i think) fuel line and replaced the crumbling plastic grommet with that. I probably will never have to worry about it again.

Hopefully my new line will show up early this week, like it's supposed to. I need to drive about 4000 miles next week, and I want to get rid of this temporary fix before I leave. I may end up doing the same thing with the grommet, there's no reason that it wouldn't last indefinitely.

[Fuzzball]

I've had the same thing happen to me on both my SD and SWMBO's D.

The line on the D was a pain in the behind to get a replacement. The books give one partnumber, but that part doesn't work at the transmission connection. Then I got the right part number from Carson357 and my dealer ordered and delivered...this one's going to work....

Until I get that replaced, I cut the line, used a 3" piece of tranny hose from O'Reilly to splice the two halves together....working great!

Well, I got a call this morning telling me the part was in for my 300D, hopefully it's the correct part. If not I'll also be asking for the correct part number. The sooner I get rid of this patch job, the happier I'll be.